Finland knocked out the United States from the World Junior Championship with a stunning 4-3 overtime victory in Friday’s quarterfinal. The upset ended Team USA’s quest for a third consecutive gold medal on home soil.
Arttu Valila scored the overtime winner after a wild finish to regulation that saw Finland score twice in 55 seconds to take the lead.
ARTTU VALILA IS THE OVERTIME HERO! FINLAND CRUSHES THE UNITED STATES’ HOPES OF A THREE-PEAT AT THE #WORLDJUNIORS! pic.twitter.com/RGOAX0dTw5
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2026
Ryker Lee appeared to rescue the Americans with an equalizer with 1:33 remaining in the third period. But Finland regrouped in the extra frame to complete the upset.
The United States entered as defending champions after beating Finland in last year’s gold-medal game. Team USA had won back-to-back titles and was looking to become the first team since Canada (2006-2009) to win three straight World Junior championships.
Despite the loss, three Americans earned recognition as top performers. James Hagens, Will Zellers, and Brodie Ziemer were named the tournament’s top American players.
Finland’s victory sends them to the semifinals for the first time since 2022. The Finns last captured gold in 2019 but have medaled consistently, earning one bronze and two silver medals since that championship.
The loss marks a disappointing end to what many expected would be a dominant tournament for the United States on home ice.
