United States 4, Czechia 1 – Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) made 26 saves for the United States, which advanced to the World Junior Championship gold medal game for the second straight year.
Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals) and Gabriel Perreault (New York Rangers) each scored a goal and collected an assist for the Americans. This victory allowed Augustine to become the leader in victories at the World Juniors (11 victories), surpassing Jack Campbell (10, 2010-12).
The United States will now attempt to win its seventh gold medal in franchise history and win back-to-back titles for the first time when it faces Finland in the final at the Canadian Tire Center on Sunday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN, RDS).
The United States is 15-3-1-8 with one tie against Czechia in 28 games at the annual tournament. The United States has won its last 14 meetings that ended in regulation at the WJC, with its last loss coming in the 2023 WJC semifinals.
Michael Hrabal (Utah Hockey Club) made 21 saves for the Czech Republic, which will face Sweden in the bronze medal game at the Canadian Tire Center on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN, RDS).
Perreault gave the United States a 1-0 lead at 3:14 of the first period. Ryan Leonard orchestrated the play by recovering the puck along the right boards, then he got around a defender before making a backhand pass to Perreault in the slot to score.
Jakub Stancl (St. Louis Blues) tied the game 1-1 when he intercepted a clearing attempt from defender Logan Hensler and advanced to the left circle and fired a shot into the top corner at 9 :28 of the first period.
Hrabal made eight saves in the first period, including an important right pad against Leonard on a shot from the slot at 18:24 of the first period.
Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) gave the Americans a 2-1 lead with a power play goal off a pass from Trevor Connolly (Vegas Golden Knights) from the left circle at 13:41 of the second period.
Augustine’s best save came at 12:21 of the third period when he stretched his right pad to push away Adam Jecho’s (St. Louis Blues) shot at the left post.
Leonard scored from the slot on a pass from Perreault at 15:33 of the third period to make it 3-1, and Oliver Moore scored into an empty net at 18:53 to complete the scoring.
