USA vs. Finland final score, results: Cutter Gauthier sends Americans to World Juniors gold medal game

Bryan Murphy

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USA vs. Finland final score, results: Cutter Gauthier sends Americans to World Juniors gold medal game image

The United States is playing for a gold medal at the 2024 World Juniors. 

Cutter Gauthier's goal late in the third period led the Americans to a 3-2 comeback win over Finland in Thursday's semifinal matchup. 

The USA could not have looked much worse through the first 20 minutes. The Americans were unable to generate anything in the first period, allowing Finland to build a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Oiva Keskinen and Ramus Kumpulainen. 

However, David Carle's crew came alive in the second period, dominating the middle frame and eventually finding the back of the net twice with goals from Jimmy Snuggerud and Will Smith. The scored remained tied for a majority of the third until Gauthier sniped a shot over the glove of Finland goaltender Niklas Kokko with 3:13 left in regulation. 

Kokko was stellar for Finland, finishing the semifinal contest with 27 saves. While it came in a losing effort, the Kraken prospect was the lone reason the Finns were able to stick around in the game with the Americans controlling a majority of play for the last two periods. 

Trey Augustine had a strong showing in the United States' crease as well. The Red Wings draft pick turned aside 19 shots faced to pick up his third win at the tournament. 

With the win, the USA advances to the gold medal game to take on host Sweden, who defeated Czechia 5-2 in the first semifinal. Finland will play the Czechs for bronze.

Both of those contests are set for Friday. 

BET NOW:2024 World Juniors odds at Sports Interaction

The Sporting News provided all the updates and highlights from the USA vs. Finland semifinal game at the 2024 World Juniors.

USA vs. Finland final score

  1 2 3 OT F
USA 0 2 1 - 3
Finland 2 0 0 - 2

USA vs. Finland results, highlights from 2024 World Juniors semifinals

(All times Eastern)

Final: USA 3, Finland 2

4 p.m. — The USA fights off Finland's final push, and the Americans are heading to the gold medal game. The U.S. fought back from down 2-0 after the first to win the semifinal contest, with Cutter Gauthier's power play goal late in the third ends up the game-winning tally. On Friday, the United States will face Sweden for World Juniors gold. 

3:57 p.m. — Perreault comes out of the box. It's 6 on 5 with the extra attacker for Finland with just over 30 seconds left. 

3:55 p.m. — Kokko heads to the Finland bench. It'll be 6 on 4 for Finland with about 1:30 left on the power play. 

3:53 p.m. — Now Finland gets its chance on the power play late in the third. Perreault is called for hooking with 2:33 to go after taking down Otto Salin. 

USA 3, Finland 2

3:51 p.m. — GOAL! Cutter Gauthier snipes a shot just under the bar, and for the first time in this semifinal, the United States have the lead. Gauthier uses the Finnish defenseman as a screen and launches a shot over the glove of Kokko for the power play tally. With 3:13 left, the USA have a one-goal lead. 

3:47 p.m. — With five minutes left, the USA benefit from a weak penalty call on Kasper Kulonummi, as the Finnish defenseman gets called for hooking. The refs have let a lot go, and to make that call at this stage is a bit head-scratching. Regardless, the Americans get their second power play chance of the game, having converted on their lone previous opportunity. 

3:43 p.m. — Augustines comes up with a big stop for the Americans. Finland had a 2 on 1 and Samu Bau let a wrist shot go, but the USA goaltender made the glove save with about seven minutes left. 

3:36 p.m. — It may sound like a broken record, but Kokko has been stellar for Finland. Buium danced right through the slot to get in close and nearly put a backhand by the Finnish goaltender, but Kokko stuck out his pad for the stop. It remains a tie game with nine minutes left in regulation. 

3:32 p.m. — There have been at least three incidents of high sticks into the face/head that have gone uncalled in this game. There was a missed called on the USA in the first period, Buium took a stick to the mouth the shift before his penalty in the third, and Rutger McGroarty just took a high stick to the face that didn't get called. 

3:31 p.m. — It's back to even strength with just over 13 minutes remaining, as the USA kills off the Buium minor penalty. 

3:30 p.m. — The United States nearly gets the tie-breaking goal shorthanded, but it remains a tied game. Quinn Finley first rang a shot off the post coming down on a 2 on 1, then seconds later, Kokko gloves down a Ryan Chelsey attempt from the top of the circle. 

3:28 p.m. — Finland gets its first power play of the night with 15:12 to go. Zeev Buium is called for slashing Aleksanteri Kaskimaki on a 2 on 1. 

3:26 p.m. — It's been a back-and-forth first four minutes in the third period. Finland already looks a lot better than it did in the second. 

3:22 p.m. — The third period is a go, with a spot in the gold medal game on the line for the USA and Finland. 

End of the second period: USA 2, Finland 2

3:04 p.m. — What a response in the second period by the United States. After a poor first 20 minutes, the Americans didn't just outplay the Finns — they flat-out dominated nearly the entire middle frame, outshooting Finland 14-3 in the second. As a result, goals from Snuggerud and Smith have made this semifinal a tie game entering the third period. 

USA 2, Finland 2

2:58 p.m. — GOAL! The USA ties the game up thanks to Will Smith. The BC line of Smith, Perreault and Leonard go to work, and eventually Perreault finds a wide open Smith at the side of the net. The Sharks prospect makes no mistake with the empty net, and with 3:44 to go, it's a 2-2 contest. 

2:55 p.m. — The USA is buzzing around right now, sustaining consistent and constant pressure in the Finland zone. The Finns are really struggling to get the puck out and when they do, the Americans are re-gaining control quickly and sending the puck right back into the zone. However, Finland remains ahead with less than five minutes to go in the second thanks to the play by Kokko in net. 

Finland 2, USA 1

2:51 p.m. — GOAL! Holy smokes, Jimmy Snuggerud. The USA winger and Blues prospect unleashes a bomb that goes bar down over Kokko and the United States is on the board. The power play comes through for the Americans to cut the deficit to one with 7:50 left in the frame. 

2:48 p.m. — The first penalty of the game is on Finland, as Lenni Hameenaho is called for tripping after he takes down Jimmy Snuggerud. USA heads to its first power play with 8:33 remaining in the second. The Americans are 6 for 19 on the man advantage so far at the World Juniors. 

2:44 p.m. — Finland hasn't been afraid to play the body, using physicality to stop the speed of the United States. There aren't many big bodies on the USA side, but Leonard hasn't shied away from engaging in scrums along the boards. There's 9:58 left in the middle frame with Finland still holding onto a 2-0 lead. 

2:40 p.m. — Finland gets its first scoring chance of the second, as a shot from the point deflects off a body in front and over Augustine's shoulder, but the puck clangs off the cross bar and stays out. 

2:38 p.m. — It's been all USA through the first seven minutes. Finland hasn't been able to play its game in the second, struggling to get the puck out of its own zone and as a result, it  has not been able to get in on the forecheck. 

2:36 p.m. — The way the Americans are going to beat the Finns is by capitalizing on chances in the transition game, and so far they haven't. The USA has had multiple rushes in the first half of the second, but have yet to solve Kokko and the Finnish defense. 

2:31 p.m. — Right after the pair of Kokko saves on Finley and Nelson, the USA nearly strikes on a 2 on 1 with Ryan Leonard and Will Smith. Leonard feeds Smith, who was wide open in the slot, but his attempt to beat Kokko over the glove sails high and wide. The United States finally looks settled in, playing with a ton of pace through the first four and a half minutes. 

2:30 p.m. — Quinn Finley races in off a nice stretch pass and tries to beat Kokko five-hole, but his shot is denied. Danny Nelson gets a second chance off the rebound, but the goaltender makes another strong stop. Kokko has been sensational so far for Finland. 

2:27 p.m. — The second period is a go between the USA and Finland. 

End of the first period: Finland 2, USA 0

2:08 p.m. — The first 20 minutes conclude with Finland up two goals. After a strong start to the period for the Americans, the Finns found their game, resulting in two tallies. The USA trailed for just over four minutes total throughout the entire tournament before the semifinal, so David Carle's team is in uncharted territory entering the second. 

2:04 p.m. — After putting seven shots on Kokko in the first six minutes or so, the Americans have just two in the last 12 minutes. Finland has settled down in its own zone, keeping the USA to the perimeter whenever the Americans have gotten sustained offensive pressure, blocking shooting and passing lanes. There's 1:09 remaining in the period with the Finns leading 2-0. 

1:59 p.m. — Czechia put together a strong effort in the group play, but Finland is by far the best team the USA have played at these World Juniors. The downside of playing in a weaker group is that the Americans did not face much adversity. Now, for the first time at the tournament, the USA is down by two. 

Finland 2, USA 0

1:55 p.m. — GOAL! Rasmus Kumpulainen tips a shot from the point by Arttu Karki and the puck rolls between the legs of Augustine for the Finland goal. Once again, the Finns caused a turnover on their relentless forecheck, sustained possession and eventually found the back of the net. USA is in trouble early, down by two 7:15 to go in the first. 

1:50 p.m. — Finland looks like a completely different team than from the start of the World Juniors. After back-to-back losses to start the 2024 competition, the team has since found its groove, relying on a relentless forecheck and structured defensive coverage. It's giving the USA fits so far. 

1:47 p.m. — Both sides have been coughing up the puck in their own zone. A Finnish turnover in front of Kokko allows Gabe Perreault to get a great chance, but the Finland goaltender flashes the pad. On the other side, a USA pass in its own zone is picked off, but Augustine comes through with the stop on the subsequent opportunity for Lenni Hameenaho. 

Finland 1, USA 0

1:41 p.m. — GOAL! Finland takes advantage of a bad turnover in front of the USA net, and Oiva Keskinen pots home the first goal of the game. Sam Rinzel had the puck stolen away from him by Tommi Manisto, who put a shot on Augustine. The initial shot was stopped, but Keskinen knocked in the puck sitting in the crease. It's a 1-0 Finland lead 1:51 into the semifinal contest.

1:40 p.m. — Frank Nazar and Gavin Brindley nearly put the USA on the board a minute into the game on a 2 on 1, but Brindley's open look is turned aside by Kokko. Brindley, who is tied for the tournament lead in goals with six, tried to beat Kokko on the blocker side. 

1:39 p.m. — The puck is down in Gothenburg, and the USA-Finland semifinal is underway. 

Pregame

1:20 p.m. — The United States offense has been nearly unstoppable so far at the 2024 tournament. The Americans have scored 36 goals in the previous five games, averaging over six goals a game. However, it faces a Finnish defense that has allowed just 16 goals in five games. 

1 p.m. — Looking at the all-time, head-to-head records, it has been extremely even over the course of World Juniors history between the USA and Finland. In 37 previous contests, each side has won 18 times, and they have also skated to a tie. 

12:35 p.m. — Augustine leads the USA out for warmups, so it will be the Red Wings prospect in goal against Finland. He will oppose Niklas Kokko (Kraken) in the Finland crease. 

12 p.m. — Here is how the two sides will line up for the semifinal game. It's unclear yet if it will be Jacob Fowler or Trey Augustine in net for the USA. Fowler got the nod in the quarterfinal game with Augustine out with an illness. 

11:30 a.m. — With Sweden winning the first semifinal, it set ups an intriguing gold medal match no matter the result of USA vs. Finland. Either the USA wins and it puts the two top teams at the tournament against one another for gold, or it will be one of the best rivalries in hockey with Sweden vs. Finland, which never fails to deliver. 

What channel is USA vs. Finland on today?

  • TV channels: TSN (Canada) | NHL Network (United States)
  • Live stream: TSN app (Canada) | Fubo (United States)

USA vs. Finland will air on TSN in Canada and NHL Network in the U.S.

Viewers can also stream the game on the TSN app in Canada and Fubo in the U.S.

STREAM:Watch 2024 World Juniors with Fubo (free trial)

USA vs. Finland start time

  • Date: Thursday, Jan. 4
  • Time: 1:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT

USA vs. Finland will start at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 4

The game is one of two semifinal matchups on deck to take place Thursday. In addition to USA-Finland, Sweden takes on Czechia in the other semifinal. The winners of the two games will play in the gold medal game on Friday afternoon, while the two losers will fight for bronze earlier on Friday. 

2024 World Juniors knockout stage schedule, results

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Matchup Time (ET)
Finland 4, Slovakia 3 (OT) - Quarterfinal FINAL
Czechia 3, Canada 2 - Quarterfinal  FINAL
USA 7, Latvia 2 - Quarterfinal  FINAL
Sweden 3, Switzerland 2 (OT) - Quarterfinal  FINAL

Thursday, Jan. 4

Matchup Time (ET) TV
Germany 5, Norway 4 (OT) - Relegation Game          FINAL TSN/NHL Network
Sweden 5, Czechia 2 - Semifinal FINAL TSN/NHL Network
USA vs. Finland - Semifinal 1:30 p.m. TSN/NHL Network

Friday, Jan. 5

Matchup Time (ET) TV
Bronze Medal Game   9 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Gold Medal Game 1:30 p.m. TSN/NHL Network

2024 World Juniors bracket

Here is how the medal round is shaping up at the 2024 World Juniors:

Semifinals 

— Sweden vs. Czechia

— USA vs. Finland

Quarterfinals

— 1A Sweden vs. 4B Switzerland

— 1B USA vs. 4A Latvia

— 2A Canada vs. 3B Czechia

— 2B Slovakia vs. 3A Finland

2024 World Juniors odds

Heading into the knockout stage, the United States remain as the favorite to win the World Juniors, according to the oddsmakers. The Americans were the pre-tournament favorite and the only team not to lose in group play. 

Here is a look at the odds to win the 2024 World Juniors for the eight teams remaining, courtesy of Sports Interaction:

Team Odds
USA +160
Sweden +250
Canada +300
Finland +1000
Czechia +1800
Slovakia +2500
Switzerland +10000
Latvia +30000

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Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.