Teddy Stiga delivered a golden moment for Team USA, scoring the overtime winner to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over Finland in the World Junior Hockey Championship final on Sunday night.
The Boston College winger, who started the tournament as a healthy scratch, capitalized on a forward pass from Denver’s Zeev Buium, breaking away to beat Finnish goaltender Petteri Rimpinen with a low shot through the pads at 8:04 of 3-on-3 overtime.
“You’ve got to find a role,” Stiga said. “I just tried to contribute in any way I could. Ending it like that was pretty special.”
The victory not only avenged a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland in group play but also solidified Team USA’s legacy with its second consecutive gold medal and seventh overall title in tournament history.
“Dynasty … it’s sick,” said U.S. captain and tournament MVP Ryan Leonard of Boston College. “This is a feeling like no other. We wanted to achieve something historic, and we did. It’s surreal.”
Trailing 3-1 in the second period, the Americans mounted a dramatic comeback. Boston University’s Brandon Svoboda brought the score to 3-2 with a deflected shot with 2:22 left in the period, and teammate Cole Hutson tied it with a wrist shot from the slot with just 29 seconds remaining.
Coach David Carle of Denver praised his team’s resilience: “Pure joy for the guys. They’ll carry this moment together for the rest of their lives.”
Despite an early lead and a spirited performance, Finland fell short. Goals from Jesse Kiiskinen, Tuomas Uronen, and Emil Pieniniemi kept the Finns ahead for much of the game. Finnish captain Aron Kiviharju reflected on the close contest: “We were so close to gold. Not this time, but I’m incredibly proud of our team.”
In the third-place game, Czechia edged Sweden 3-2 in a marathon shootout. Eduard Sale scored in the 14th round, finally sealing the victory with a slick backhand move.
The 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship will take place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, as the hockey world eagerly awaits the next chapter of junior hockey excellence.
Team USA’s triumph is a testament to grit, talent, and a never-quit attitude, marking another unforgettable moment in World Junior Hockey Championship history.