US, Sweden Will Play for World Junior Gold After US Beats Finland and Sweden Tops Czech Republic

Team USA's Ryan Leonard (9) celebrates a goal by teammate Jimmy Snuggerud (not shown) in front of Finland's goaltender Niklas Kokko (30) during the second period of a semifinal hockey game at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Jan. 4, 2024. Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP

GOTHENBURG, Sweden—The United States will face host Sweden on Friday for gold at the IIHF world junior championship.

The U.S. beat Finland 3–2 in the semifinals Thursdays, with Cutter Gauthier scoring on a power play with 3:13 left. The Boston College star and Philadelphia Flyers prospect scored after the Americans erased a two-goal deficit.