2025 World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game Highlights: Finland vs. United States

Teddy Stiga's first goal of the World Junior Hockey Championship was one he won't forget as it handed Team USA the overtime win against Finland for back-to-back gold medals at the tournament. Cole Hutson, Brandon Svoboda and James Hagens also scored as the United States came back from a 3-1 deficit to win.

[@navidb]

whoever queued up free bird and smashed that play button deserves a raise

[@austink-v8261]

It was the USA’s goal song

[@Buffalosabskis]

It was played for every USA goal and win during the tournament, but a few times it was fun how they got it in. Like right when raising the trophy

[@memphisgrizzliesfan1]

Freeeeeeee Birddd yeahhhhh! Queue the guitar 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@syzionaurifex5383]

It’s their goal song. All he’s gotta press is “USA goal”

[@ibee7823]

Congrats USA from Finland. You guys always play hard.

[@swordz2330]

Vittu mitä paskaa saatana

[@sergeant_salty]

As do yall! Amazing turnaround from getting shutout by Canada to taking the Americans to OT in the final game💪 great tourny

[@Supernova2464]

Hell ya! Congrats on the silver too! You don’t get those on accident! ^_^

[@UtahHockeyFan9]

Great game brother. So much love for Finland from here in the US 👍🇺🇸🇫🇮

[@bryanhoppe1481]

Welcome to NATO!

[@DDWyss]

What a game! Congrats to Finland and USA on a great tournament!

[@SSNESS]

They need a bigger trophy 🏆

[@alexdemidoff8014]

It's easy to win without Russia in the world championship!

[@Parkerk234]

@@alexdemidoff8014last time Russia was in they lost 5-1 in their medal game

[@Reagles8]

@@alexdemidoff8014Russia hasn’t done shit in this tournament lately. They are a distant 5th. Even their top pro team wouldn’t match Canada and USA. Absolutely no depth down the middle and their D is weak.

[@Ckripal]

Без России это не хоккей, а фигурное катание😂😂😂

[@saltydog4333]

Finland is a tough team always has been. Glad we won but man was that nail-biting

[@Matanumi]

They ran out of gas in the 2nd period and were fighting to survive at that point

[@timetowakeup6302]

We? 😂

[@saltydog4333]

@timetowakeup6302 yes the nation that pays to see the national team and funds them thus allowing them to play at different levels. So yeah we. You still confused?

[@BradyDoesntMiss]

How can you not see that beautiful flag and not love this country and team!

[@1MinuteRants]

Finlands goalie played great, especially in the third and in OT

[@robertk1834]

I honestly couldn't believe that was what ended up being the goal, just a split second of his left pad not on the ice...that's hockey folks.

[@FootballCommenter]

@@robertk1834you couldn’t believe that? Opening goalies up by moving them laterally and scoring five hole is one of the most common breakaway moves in the world

[@amatt2116]

Scoring a goal followed by the famous free bird guitar solo must be such a feeling. Especially in OT. W goal song

[@NF12222]

Good game Fins from the US. Definitely had us sweating big time!

[@maxhussar5665]

Yeah best country in the world almost lost! Phew!

[@IlijaPiispanen]

Im from Finland thanks

[@RobL350]

Which player on USA are you

[@ThoseHockeyLovas]

@@RobL350He’s 22

[@Muf315]

As a European teammate I wished victory to Finns. But I have to admit objectively that the Americans were the best in the tournament and honestly won gold medal. 🥇 Dear Finns, you didn't play a bad game. But! You led twice in the final and once even by two goals. Nevertheless, you ultimately didn't keep the lead in the match and had to go to extra time. Your goalkeeper Rimpinen caught three great chances of the Americans in extra time. The winning goal of the Americans was already "hanging in the air" for five minutes. It was probably not enough of a wake-up call for all players on the bench, including the coach. Rimpinen was not enough for the fourth goal, when basically Teddy Stiga drove at him alone and finished between the goalkeeper's leg guard. The Americans outplayed you especially in the end and *deservedly triumphed this year and, among other things, defended last year's championship.* Greetings from 🇨🇿 and congratulations to the 🥈

[@TheOxux]

During and after the second period the Finnish players started to run out of energy. That's why the Americans started to outplay us, after all, this team had a long and exhausting game against the Swedes the previous day. And I want to point this out because many Finns are whining in the social media about how our boys just "stopped playing". Of course they didn't stop, they played great until the Americans were able to shift to the next gear, to which the Finns couldn't respond anymore. The huge advantage that the US had in talent and speed started to show even better when also the psychological advantage was on their side.

[@anintelligenthome]

@@TheOxux Bottom line is this: The Finns are an excellent team and played incredibly well! There is no area in which the team needs to even make an excuse nor has to defend...you guys rocked it. In the end, our American team came out on top. Seriously, it went to OT and it could have gone ether way. One thing is for sure, though, both teams made watching the tournament unforgettable!!!

[@JasonBlackburn_02]

Hutson doing the same celebration as the finland player was great men

[@leninaristy8317]

Bro that goaltender from Finland was standing on his head in overtime. Nothing to be ashamed of

[@killa2488]

Great Game. Two of the powerhouses of World Junior Hockey! Czechia and Sweeden as well also played very well! Definitely the top 4 teams in the world

[@Supernova2464]

Meanwhile Canada 😂

[@Black_Sanya73]

В себя прийди ОЧКУНЫ ВСЕГДА ИГРАЮТ БЕЗ СИЛЬНЕЙШИХ!!!!

[@nathantownsend317]

@@Supernova2464throw bedard and celebrini on a line together 😂

[@dfelt4870]

​@@Supernova2464 Wish we could argue with you.Even hockey is presented as a microcosm of what happened to Canada.

[@Twinturbomitch]

we have the most gold medals in the last ten years hahaha. all the countrys youve mentioned have finished without a medal....But regardless congrats

[@stefandjurachkovitch8624]

Wow I absolutely loved how Finland played first two periods!!! Amazing final game, absolutely charmed. Then the American machine took charge..

[@davidbullock6444]

Better than watching the NHL

[@DuskSkullin]

Yeah junior hockey is super fast paced!

[@metalscottsman]

Congrats boys! Hope this can help bring the great game of hockey to more of my fellow americans. Football will always be my game but god damn do I love hockey. Back-to-Back ships!!!!!

[@vaikkalauri2300]

gg USA from Finland it was a close one but in the end you got the gold🤝🏻

[@JurgenUmanzev-tv5ph]

Супер финал супер команд !!! Обе команды достойны золота,но США вырвали золото из рук Финнов !!! Классический невероятный финал с развязкой «шайбы смерти»!!! Поздравляю сборную США с очередным титулом !!!! Финляндии удачи в будущем,они не хуже сборной США,но золото только одно !!!

[@oserchlp]

Damn Finland, I hoped you got this at 3:1, what a shame :( Well done USA! Again :D Greetings from Slovakia 🇸🇰

[@aydantheyoutubeking]

The biggest biggest biggest congratulations my friends in the US at least something to bring the country together always love and respect the USA congratulations again guys from Canada ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@fuuzzzy]

USA!!! Now make those beautiful jerseys available to buy

[@past-tense-of-draw]

Without the chipotle ad preferably

[@jackwalsh5270]

This

[@DuskSkullin]

I’m surprised they aren’t selling em

[@Ikattcat]

GG from Finland :)

[@Nukleng88]

Congrats US🎉 from Canada

[@biffdanielson2820]

Back to back! Great game by the Fins. I thought the game was over after they went up 3-1.

[@tokyosexwale7997]

Yeah same as with Sweden, we shit our pants..

[@djmips]

Oof that unlucky goal off the Finland defender's shoulder.

[@Viroh]

​@@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi keep crying. 4-3 is far from "choke" 😂😂😂 npc ahh kid

[@qwynnblackburde3509]

@@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi work on being humble

[@nalkainenvisionaari]

@@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi Try to get past QF´s bro :)

[@north-i1k]

Great game! First time back to back gold medals by the USA is cool to see.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Gay

[@qwynnblackburde3509]

@@JesusFriedChrist this is why people hate us man like figure it out

[@Reagles8]

@@JesusFriedChristCanada is gay and sucks at hockey

[@realjacksun]

@@JesusFriedChristhahahahah you lost!

[@TriggerG59]

Yeah the crybabies in Canada can have an extra bottle of copium.

[@xDPx-zh7vr]

If we've learned one thing as USA hockey, don't sleep on Finland.

[@Jz9222]

That's a lesson learnt long time ago 😅

[@unknownentity8256]

Considering Finland has won worlds twice in the last 5-6 years I don't think anyone has been sleeping on Finland for a while?

[@xDPx-zh7vr]

@@RobL350read into how you want but actually it's acknowledging that Finland always shows up and plays a great game and that regardless of the outcome they shouldn't be taken lightly.

[@totoafrika5568]

Congrats to USA. Well deserved gold. I am still proud of our Leijonat. Rimpinen was amazing whole tournament.

[@rkseh]

Congrats to team USA for taking the gold in Canada ;D I thought we had the game after 3-1 but you played better rest of the game.

[@Drew_001]

What a freaking game, and what a freaking tournament!

[@spencecallis301]

Cole Hutson is a bad bad bad man. Cant wait to see him in a Cap's sweater!

[@schampookungen2201]

How dare you not show a single save by Rimpinen? Dude was outstanding

[@lime7494]

Wait wait wait, you’re telling me that the non North American goalies should be getting highlights? Blasphemy!

[@ThoseHockeyLovas]

Yeah, he made overtime a little too close!

[@MMTOofficial]

Rimpinen was fire on the ice 🔥 Congratulations USA 🇺🇸👊🏼 🫶🏼🇫🇮🫶🏼

[@TBlake]

Second Finland goal was unreal

[@HoodRoI3]

I'm so confused. As a Swede, I'm both happy and sad. Til next year Finland! 🙏

[@TiranoraptorCZ]

It was a very good game! You played really good. Sending love from Czechia 🇨🇿

[@tdfmtig]

GG Finland still a hockey powerhouse

[@heshy14]

Can’t wait for the tournament in Minneapolis/St Paul next year 👏🎉🎊🎉🎊 Great playing fellas 👏👏👏

[@onelove1627]

As a Fin, this will sting for a while. But congrats USA, you deserved it.

[@anintelligenthome]

This is why we love the Finns...gracious to the end. Finns have an amazing team in this young group and they are to be congratulated for an outstanding tournament. To be honest, who needs professional hockey when we have this type of game play?

[@Willpower-74205]

As an American, I'm very proud of our boys out there on the ice. They've more than earned the gold, and with a come-from-behind win at that! These kids have some talent! 🇺🇲🏒😃👍

[@OllieintoKickflip]

FREEEE BIRRRRDDDDDDD YEAAHHHHHHHHAHHHHHJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. USA USA USA USA USAUSA USA! Mad love to Finland you guys are dogs on the ice 💪🏾

[@Ikattcat]

Love to USA🇺🇸 from Finland 🇫🇮 :) GG well played

[@mikulitsi1819]

What a shame :( Rimpinen had such a brilliant tournament as did our other guys but I especially feel bad for Rimpinen. Multiple game savers on OT alone until that goal. Congrats USA!

[@Reagles8]

How he is not drafted is beyond me. As an undersized goalie myself I take it personally

[@willp.8120]

Congratulations to our American boys. USA!

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Gay

[@tristanpekula1583]

@@JesusFriedChristcanadian bum

[@18laxX]

@@JesusFriedChrist you are

[@C_A65]

​@@JesusFriedChristfound the canadian

[@C_A65]

​@@JesusFriedChristbitter much, crybabyian?

[@waynebratton9813]

Congrats to the U.S.A. as they were the best team all tournament. They are very well coached with a lot of skill.I am Canadian but there is no denying the U.S. system is developing better hockey players.Canada had better take a long look at what they have to do to get to the top again

[@lAmCanad1an]

Except we dont need to take a hard look we said it from the start. Its actually an easy fix.

[@saltydog4333]

​@@lAmCanad1anit's not Americans wondering it's Canadians.

[@wesleyprince3465]

Crazy that hockey is becoming Americanized more than soccer ever could. In my opinion either way. I'd happily go to a hockey game. You couldn't pay me to sit through a soccer match tho🤣

[@NickChemist-yf6oj]

Make hockey affordable again in Canada would be a good start …. Instead of the rich kids just being able to play making the talent pool larger would be a good start

[@algrundau9441]

The Big Boys play in February, that will decide who.....DEVELOP'S BETTER HOCKEY PLAYER'S!!!!"

[@krish1281]

3 replays of every goal except the OT one...Solid work.

[@murdawg_08]

Couldn’t be prouder to be an American.

[@payitforwardsports]

Great Coverage!

[@patienbear]

GG US! You were better this time!

[@aarchiewaldron]

The US selection committee's been picking players who are fast, skilled (role players + scorers) and most importantly, guys who've already played together for years. That plus depth at all positions is a hard combination to beat in a short tournament.

[@tylermcgriff1183]

That Finland goalie will be playing in the NHL soon. Curious to see who drafts him, I think this year is his first draft eligible year

[@ODHU-U3-HAC.rock-band]

Отличный матч! Крутая игра! Финны всё равно молодцы!

[@davidbaker4110]

Congratulations Team USA! 🇺🇸 🏒 Just Awesome!

[@sisophous]

These teams are evenly matched so it makes sense it goes to OT. Finland is always very good. If they played each other 10 times it would likely end 5-5.

[@CompereStudiosOfficial]

What a way to win gold. Amazing stuff

[@neilaltschuler6064]

Congratulations God bless your careers and families

[@sweglo1486]

Glad to see the better team win! USA played out of their minds

[@dfelt4870]

USA looked so strong and supremely confident since mid 2nd period. Let's consider that one of the globes greatest hockey countries...Russia is sending their young men to slaughter of war rather than enjoying hockey or LIFE for that matter.Ukraine as well, realistically can not present it's team .Sad.

[@Keelo-t9j]

Finland made the same mistake every team with a 2 goal lead makes, they started playing defensively. Can't do that against a ateam like the US, especially not with a gold medal on the line. But great game. Both teams played a great tournament. Congrats to the US. A well deserved gold.

[@robertwells6724]

USA! USA! USA! They bent but didn't break. This is the best hockey you can watch.

[@lindaengbrocks4186]

👏👏❤️❤️ Congrats to both teams

[@9and7]

Congrats USA. Well done.

[@m____w____6981]

The. Americans are establishing a hockey dynasty. Great game. Team USA really has exceptional coaching.

[@Stacey_-bf2mb]

Next up is Nigeria

[@marittamustonen-smith7333]

I ♥️ice hockey like mad and I wanted my Finnish team to throw their helmets and sticks in the air but luck was not smiling. Sometimes you need luck on top of your skills🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@christianxxzitnansky]

Free Birddddd yeaaah 🦅

[@saltydog4333]

USA wins gold on Canadian soil and less than 24 hours later Trudeau resigns. You're welcome Canada 😂

[@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

Congrats US, y’all own hockey now, at least until the 4 Nations Faceoff where anything can happen. Until then, enjoy being in top of the hockey world while us Canadians are relegated to little brother complex once more, like we usually are in every other sport besides hockey.

[@nascarawesomesquid2456]

Thanks man, hopefully Team Canada will return to being a dominant team in the World Juniors again.

[@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

@@nascarawesomesquid2456I don’t know, they need to wake up. There has to be changes up top to get people that will get a coach that will instil discipline and select a competitive roster.

[@NF12222]

You guys will be fine, 19 players drafted in the first round last year were Canadian, you guys just didn't take most of them haha

[@superflyers148]

Canada still has a shot at four nations because of your veterans but after that we're going to win every men's tournament as well!

[@limegreenpatato]

They hardly own hockey. What a stupid thing to say. Go cuck for america somewhere else dork

[@joeschmo2693]

What a Finnish.

[@baldingeagle8404]

Haha

[@Justinc_99]

PLAY FREEBIRD 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🦅 🦅 🦅 🥇

[@ottomatic3123]

Debt repaid! But when it mattered most 😁. The Finns punched above their weight, as usual, and had a great tournament. A great competitive game, and a joy to watch. Congrats to both teams.

[@Lexar-s3v]

How you will punch above your weight? You either will give all what you have or you simply don't. That is a mental matter. You either have SISU or not.

[@rexholez2282]

Good game but the fact they do 3 on 3 to decide a gold medal is embarrassing.

[@beachbummer3434]

great game !!

[@mikeiyc]

Hey Canada 🍁 it’s our game now ! 🇺🇸 😂

[@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

Football, baseball, basketball, and now hockey. Canada has nothing.

[@mikeiyc]

They can still hang their hat on curling 🥌 🤣

[@a18yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

@@mikeiyc boring ass sport. Fitting for a nation that’s lost all sports pride and has kinda become a boring place to live.

[@Doinks33]

​@mikeiyc I'm confused, how many Olympic Gold Medals has the USA won?

[@arcadeshift5071]

They have 2 Golds. If looking back on your past Olympic glory makes you feel better about being eliminated in the knock-out round the past 2 years in this tournament, have at it. ​@@Doinks33

[@mikeiyc]

Congratulations USA HOCKEY! Way to represent.

[@po7ta]

4:22 With 2:22 left in the 2nd, on their 22nd shot, USA scores their 2nd goal with a bounce off #22

[@legionofdoom107]

First time back to back golds! USA USA!!!

[@neilbeigie4045]

Great tournament for USA Hockey and for the Caps farm system…Leonard MVP and Hutson leading scorer! We may be Ok once Ovie retires.

[@xDPx-zh7vr]

What an amazing accomplishment for these kids but there's always been something that feels a little strange. The handful of players that have made it to the NHL but going back to the junior level cuz they're still eligible. Almost feels like an MLB player going back to Little League for one last crack at glory. I get it's representing your country like the Olympics but this is not the best of the best it's just the best of the best under 20yrs old. Honestly I'm sure there's talented kids out there that may never make it to the Show so having those spots available for those guys to achieve something special would be more satisfying than seeing a multi million dollar NHL player going back to the juniors. Still a great achievement for all involved and even as American I felt bad for Sweden this year. They had a great team and then just hit a wall.

[@ProfRoofs]

I think USA scored a goal off the Finland defender’s shoulder both during the gold medal game and earlier in the tournament during the group stage.

[@hostedbykj]

A golden goal called by a Canadian in a tournament that Americans don't even care about is always going to make me smile. (However the color commentary was AWFUL)

[@AyoMummy-e6p]

Good 👍

[@erudzitis84]

GG USA, Cale Hutson is unbelievable

[@krasnaludek298]

Our wonderful Canadian neighbors rooting against us … seeing the reactions in the stands. Stay salty … won’t forget it.

[@algrundau9441]

You got SEVEN POWERPLAYS vs Canada, and your newly elected Rapist/Criminal/"President" call's us the 51st State and our PM "Governor???".....Under the circumstances you should quit your whining yank.

[@jasonaltig985]

As if US fans don’t do the same to Canadian teams. It is a rivalry, lighten up princess.

[@Anixander6230]

@@jasonaltig985 well with Trump there wont be a Canada anymore

[@jacob45415]

@@jasonaltig985 I always cheer for Canada unless it’s against the USA

[@TrevorWebb-ck2yv]

Canada needs to learn their lesson that body checking, penalties, and fighting adds nothing to the hockey game.

[@janhustaty6448]

Deserve it!!! Congrats

[@KazeShikamaru]

I wish I could have watched the game.....

[@Ck69420]

Canada in shambles

[@qwynnblackburde3509]

@@Ck69420 some are indeed, probably the ref blamers

[@algrundau9441]

@@qwynnblackburde3509 SEVEN Powerplays for the Yanks vs Canada.....If we were more like American's we would call the tournament RIGGED, claim the gold Medal was STOLEN, Demand a RE-COUNT and then STORM THE CAPITAL!!!!!

[@TheMaestro116]

More like Finland, especially with how quickly they blew their lead.

[@algrundau9441]

@@TheMaestro116 A Silver for Finland in Hockey is never ..."Shambles"....They have just 5 Million People total. They are probably not too crushed.

[@TheMaestro116]

@@algrundau9441 It's still a final loss in sudden death OT. It doesn't get more heartbreaking than that.

[@Sherlock1104]

Let’s be honest finlands goalie is going to be an nhl star assuming he goes their

[@Lexar-s3v]

Some should draft him first :) His talents have been well known in Finland for years and this tournament was nothing special.

[@Ikattcat]

Good game USA and congratulations on your win :) GG Well on the bright side at least we beat Sweden😆

[@timotejsuvak9979]

Freebird after a win is the most american thing ever

[@Chrisman77]

cant believe they didnt show any of the finland goalies saves in overtime. dude stood on his head

[@FootballCommenter]

3V3 OT has to go- luckily the three world junior gold medal games that have gone to 3v3 OT have all been won by the better team but play 4v4 or 5v5 until a goal is scored

[@filipator]

Congrats USA! Well done Finland !

[@23skidoo46]

USA just had more talent than anyone else and it came out. one of the most talented US teams I've seen.

[@algrundau9441]

.....Talent.....AND SEVEN POWERPLAYS vs Canada....Canada beat Finland 4--0....We will see your "more talent then anyone else" in February.

[@nickswinehart1496]

@@algrundau9441Canada got pooped on this tourney go cry somewhere bud 🦅🦅🦅🦅

[@pruuffi625]

better team, yes more talent, nah finland with 5 million residents beat usa a week ago and came close in the finale usa with 330 million residents and the most competitive hockey league in the world barely beat finland

[@MrChimps2324]

@@algrundau9441oh wow a Canadian blaming the ref, never seen that before. Pipe down back there 7th place

[@TheSnapback]

@@algrundau9441 Way to say that your team sucked and was incredibly undisciplined

[@jonashjelm6804]

Grattis usa, Finland förlorade, betyder allt ❤ inge mer tur för Finland

[@Wall-B1]

Congraz to USA! At least we did better than Sweden! Thats the main thing!

[@maxrockatansky2003]

3 on 3 in OT? Does the IIHF hate hockey that much, we need to hurry up and get this game over with? What a joke. Anyway, congrats to the US, it was well deserved. Clearly the best team of the tournament. Well done to Finland for a fine tournament as well.

[@andygrenn680]

Never ever underestimate the potential of the American athlete…

[@Jz9222]

What a great game! The US had an unbelievable team, but I hope Leonard gets rid of his acting as he gets older, we don't need that in hockey, let's leave that to soccer players 😅 undoubtedly very high-skilled player but does some unnecessary things.

[@deserttrailscout]

Let’s go USA! Freeeeebiiiiiird

[@alansnipes3101]

They Score!

[@justinhernandez9847]

SKYNARDDD HITS EVERY TIME USA BABBYYYY

[@Евгений-х5у]

Ожидаемо! Молодцы!

[@guyincogneto8979]

How in the world can I not find one of those hats? 7 times i've scowered the interwebs for basically the same hat and can never find one! The players hats must be more valuable than the medals.

[@ejcejc4113]

GG my Finish friends

[@mosespov9929]

so, NHL's #1 draft pick in 2025 is going to be Teddy Stiga.

[@adiliomoreira2015]

He was already selected by the Nashville Predators in the last draft.