Finland ousts USA at WJHC with OT win in quarterfinal
The United States' gold-medal streak at the World Junior Championship is over after Finland knocked off the tournament host with a 4-3 victory in Friday's quarterfinal matchup.
Arttu Valila scored the overtime winner after a frenetic ending to the third period in which Finland took the lead with two goals in 55 seconds, only to set the stage for Ryker Lee's equalizer with 1:33 left in regulation.
ARTTU VALILA IS THE OVERTIME HERO! FINLAND CRUSHES THE UNITED STATES' HOPES OF A THREE-PEAT AT THE #WORLDJUNIORS! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/RGOAX0dTw5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2026
The United States entered the event as back-to-back champions and defeated Finland in last year's gold-medal game. James Hagens, Will Zellers, and Brodie Ziemer were named the top American players of the tournament following the loss.
Finland last won a gold medal in 2019. It's captured one bronze and two silver medals since.
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