The Americans didn’t steal it. They did not suffer defeat in regulation during their seven tournament duels. In the grand final, they defeated Finland 4-3 in overtime.
“There is no better feeling,” said captain Ryan Leonard. We wanted to achieve something that has never been accomplished. We talked about it all summer. It’s crazy to have succeeded.”
Ten veterans from last year’s victory were back to defend their title in Ottawa. The majority of them had previously won the gold medal at the World Under-18 Championship. This group completes its journey with the American junior program with a golden triple.
“It’s incredible for our age group,” said Quebecer Gabriel Perreault. We have become a dynasty. I’m really happy for all the guys. We became so close. Everyone bought into their role and it worked.”
A goal is gold
The Finns started the match strong with a few good scoring chances. It was ultimately Jesse Kiiskinen who broke the ice during a power play.
James Hagens brought everyone back to square one by grabbing a loose puck near the Finland net. However, the response did not take long. Less than a minute later, former Ottawa 67’s Tuomas Uronen fired a shot into the top corner to give his team the lead again.
At the start of the second period, Emil Pieniniemi took advantage of a moment of confusion between Zeev Buium and Oliver Moore to make Finland 3-1. At the end of the period, Brandon Svoboda was lucky when his shot ricocheted off Daniel Nieminen. Moments later, Cole Huston slipped into the slot before tying the game.
The overtime period was necessary in this hotly contested duel. It was Teddy Stiga who played the hero by scoring the famous golden goal. This is the third time in the last four junior world championships that the gold medal game has been decided in overtime.
“It’s completely surreal. To be able to win a gold medal like that, there’s nothing that can beat that,” Stiga explained. I don’t even remember how I scored. Everything went black.”
Strangely, his shot on the winning goal was his first of the competition. “I’m not surprised to hear it. I wasn’t able to generate much since the start of the tournament,” he admitted with a laugh.
Teddy Stiga scored his first goal of the tournament on his first shot to secure the gold medal for his team. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
Cole Hutson writes his own story
While his brother Lane is setting the National Hockey League on fire in a Montreal Canadiens uniform, Cole Hutson has made his own name since the start of the tournament. His 11 points in seven games allowed him to win the competition’s scoring championship.
“I hope I have earned a little respect,” said the little American defender. I think Lane obviously paved the way for me my whole life, but I think the time has finally come for me to separate myself from him and pave my own path.”
Individual honors
All-Star Team (named by media):
- Guardian: Petteri Rimpinen ????????
- Defender: Cole Hutson ????????
- Défenseur: Axel Sandin-Pellikka ????????
- Forward: Ryan Leonard ????????
- Forward: Jakub Stancl ????????
- Forward: Gabriel Perreault ????????
Tournament MVP (nominated by media):
Awards chosen by the IIHF:
- Gardien du tournoi: Petteri Rimpinen ????????
- Axel Sandin-Pellikka ????????
- Forward of the Tournament: Ryan Leonard ????????
Ryan Leonard received the first-ever Murray Costello Award, given to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
Bad slice for Czechia in bronze final
“I told him before the game that he had the chance to become the only Czech to win three medals at the World Junior Championship.” Head coach Patrik Augusta’s message to his captain did not fall on deaf ears.
Forward Eduard Sale was the hero for Czechia in a shootout on Sunday afternoon, helping his country win the bronze medal, 3-2. A third consecutive podium for this nation of 10 million inhabitants.
After 12 attempts by each side, the shootout still had no winner. Swede Otto Stenberg beat Michael Hrabal at one end of the ice. The Czech captain absolutely had to score to save the match.
“It was difficult for me,” Sale admitted after the match. I absolutely had to score, so it was really special when I did.”
Augusta sent Sale back with the next shot, after Hrabal made a save on Stenberg.
“I wanted him to be the hero and I felt he could do it. He didn’t ask for it, but he was ready. He was confident. Sometimes as a coach you feel these things, so I followed my instinct,” explains the Czech head coach.
Who will laugh, Sikora the last?
Czech forward Petr Sikora was the target of taunts from Canada fans for nearly three games during the elimination rounds of the 2025 World Juniors.
He was the target of a check by Kanata forward Cole Beaudoin during the first period of the quarter-final between Canada and the Czech Republic. Beaudoin was sent off after that collision, with referees ruling that he had stuck his knee out.
The crowd thought that Sikora had acted during this sequence to attract the attention of the referees and made sure to boo him throughout the rest of the tournament when he touched the puck.
“Winning your last game of the World Championship is very special, no matter the color of the medal,” said head coach Patrik Augusta after the Czech victory. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
“I’m pretty sure he used it as motivation, more than it affected him. […] We didn’t think about it too much. The fans do what they want, we just tried to play the way we can,” said his linemate Jakub Stancl with a broad smile.
The supporters scoffed. In winning bronze, did Sikora have the last laugh?
“I don’t think he thought like that. When you win bronze like that, you do it for your team, not to silence your detractors in the stands,” said head coach Patrik Augusta.
After being perfect in the preliminary round, the Swedish team lost its last two games of the World Juniors and will leave Ottawa without a medal. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
“I had a lot of fun”
The disappointment was palpable on the face of Swedish defender Tom Willander. The Vancouver Canucks prospect was participating in the World Junior Championship for the second and final time, he who will be too old next year to be eligible.
Despite everything, he found a way to rejoice in his experience after his team’s defeat against the Czech Republic.
“I had a lot of fun. It’s certain that the result is disappointing, but I had a good time with guys that I don’t get the chance to see that often. Most of them are in Sweden, while I am at Boston University. We don’t talk that often, so it was fun to hang out with them,” Willander said.
Sweden captain Axel Sandin-Pellikka echoed the sentiments expressed by Tom Willander.
“Not all fairy tales have a happy ending. We’re just going to make sure we have one last great evening with the guys here, before we all go our separate ways,” said the Swedish defender.
