The United States won the world junior hockey championship near the beginning of the 2024 calendar year.
It took a big step toward a repeat by beating rival Canada 4-1 on the final day of 2024 to claim the top seed in its group at the under-20 tournament that features hockey’s top drafted and draft-eligible players.
The USA, which has never won back-to-back titles, will face Switzerland (2:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network) in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Canada dropped to third place and will face Czechia. Sweden-Latvia and Finland-Slovakia are the other quarterfinals.
The Americans took advantage of Canada’s undisciplined play to score three power-play goals. Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson, a Washington Capitals draft pick and brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, had a goal and an assist to take the U.S. scoring lead with eight points.
The United States went with Trey Augustine in net and he rewarded the decision with a 38-save victory after he had given up eight goals over his first two games.
Highlights from the U.S. win against Canada at the world junior hockey championship:
Canada needs to get to overtime to avoid finishing third so it has pulled goalie Carter George for an extra skater with minutes left. USA captain Ryan Leonard scores into the empty net after a Canada turnover to make it 4-1.
Canada is getting undisciplined and taking unnecessary penalties. Cole Eiserman makes the Canadians pay with a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle for a 3-1 USA lead. Every goal in this game has been scored on the power play.
The Americans get their second power-play goal of the game. Cole Hutson takes the puck behind the net and passes to Danny Nelson, who scores from the slot for a 2-1 lead.
Bradly Nadeau scores on a one-timer with two seconds left in a Ryan Leonard penalty. Brayden Yager finds Nadeau with a nice seam pass.
The Americans can’t capitalize on three power plays and now will be short-handed at the start of the third when captain Ryan Leonard is called for roughing at time runs out in the period. U.S. goalie Trey Augustine has made 27 saves.
Canada has killed off the last two U.S. power plays but needs to be more disciplined. Sam Dickinson is called for holding. Canada kills if off and rides the momentum with a flurry in the U.S. end.
Carson Rehkopf gets a second consecutive penalty, this time for tripping Zeev Buium. Canada kills this off, too. Still 1-0 USA.
Canada’s Carson Rehkopf knocked Trey Augustine’s dropped goalie stick away from him and is called for interference. Canada kills it off. USA moves it around well but gets only one shot.
Gabe Perreault appears to score, but it’s waved off because James Hagens knocked the puck out of the air with a high stick.
USA’s Logan Hensler is called for holding. Canada goes on its first power play of the game. Goalie Trey Augustine has to come up big in close to kill off the penalty.
Cole Hutson scores at 13:02 for the lone goal of the first period. After Cole Eiserman tips a Canadian clearing attempt on a power play, Hutson beats a defender to the puck, skates in and rips a shot past Carter George. It was the first goal allowed by George in the tournament. Hutson leads U.S. scorers with seven points.
The USA went with Trey Augustine in net and he has shut down Canada through one period with 11 saves.
All times Eastern
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The USA and Canada will play at 8 p.m. ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
The game will be aired on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.
USA: James Hagens, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft, leads the Americans with six points. He plays on a line with Boston College teammates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Defenseman Cole Hutson also has six points. He’s the brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. Michigan State’s Trey Augustine (1-0-1) is getting the start against Canada.
Canada: Canada has no scorer in the top 25 at the tournament. Easton Cowan leads the team with three points. Gavin McKenna (one goal) is the early front-runner for the 2026 draft. Goalie Carter George has two shutouts.
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