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USA Beats Czechia 4-1 to Reach World Juniors Final, to Face Finland After Rautiainen's OT Winner

Jan 4, 2025, 10:11 PM

The United States has advanced to the gold medal game of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship for the second consecutive year, following a 4-1 victory over Czechia in the semifinals. The U.S. team, led by goaltender Trey Augustine of the Detroit Red Wings, who made 26 saves and now holds the record for the most wins at World Juniors with 11, will face Finland in the championship match. The U.S. has not lost in regulation in 14 straight games at the tournament. Finland secured their spot in the final with a 4-3 overtime win against Sweden, thanks to Benjamin Rautiainen's overtime winner, a shot that went under the pads of Sweden's goalie Melker Thelin. Finland's Petteri Rimpinen made 43 saves in goal. The U.S. aims to win back-to-back titles, a feat they have never achieved before. Key contributors for the U.S. included Ryan Leonard of the Washington Capitals and Gabe Perreault of the New York Rangers, each recording a goal and an assist. Cole Eiserman of the New York Islanders scored the go-ahead goal on a power play.