Gauthier's late winner lifts USA to WJHC final

Cutter Gauthier scored a power-play goal with just over three minutes left in regulation to defeat Finland 3-2 and send the United States to the gold-medal game of the 2024 world juniors.

The Americans will take on host Sweden for the championship on Friday. Finland will play Czechia for bronze.

Finland raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Oiva Keskinen and Rasmus Kumpulainen, but Jimmy Snuggerud and Will Smith scored for USA in the middle frame.

The Finns had a late power play after Gauthier's tally but were unable to capitalize.

USA enters the final at a perfect 6-0 for the tournament. Its last gold medal came in 2021. Sweden's won five games so far but lost in a shootout to Finland on New Year's Eve during the preliminary round. The hosts haven't won the event since 2012.