GDT: Gold medal game: Finland vs USA; Jan 5., 2025; 19:30 EST

[SI90]

Hope the boys can bring home the back to back gold! Finland is legit. Not going to be an easy win by any means.

 

[JoVel]

I can't see USA being as wasteful as Sweden if they start dominating like they did at the end of that game. I wouldn't be surprised if this game ends very quickly to be honest.

If Finland does pull his off it'll be the kids' version of the 2019 gold medal.

 

[teugen]

I can't see USA being as wasteful as Sweden if they start dominating like they did at the end of that game. I wouldn't be surprised if this game ends very quickly to be honest.

If Finland does pull his off it'll be the kids' version of the 2019 gold medal.

Bolded part is very true. Watch we win it all and none of these kids will make their ways to the NHL at the end.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Should be a good game. Hopefully USA will come out extra motivated since they lost to Finland last time they played.

 

[karhukissa]

It's never "easy 5-1" against Finland in meaningful games, whatever happens it will be close. Finnish staff will probably play videos of Winter War, Simo Häyhä and they will try to summon the spirit of sauna or something. Anything to get that team to fight harder than ever.

All i know is Hfboards "US ez AINEC" bros will be disappointed and they will have to sweat.

 

[VikingAv]

After the first two games 90% of Finnish posters here were calling this one of the worst teams ever assembled and calling for a revamp of the entire program.

Perception is a funny thing.

Seems to me what you said goes for every world championship, junior or senior
Imo, it's basically a rule now that Finland punches above their weight in championships, despite all the Finnish nay-sayers 'round these parts.

 

[Svedu]

I would say it's 80-20 for USA. But they've only lost once in 2 years and that was in this tournament against us. I just don't see us beating them twice. Almost impossible. Therefor it's 90-10 for the US. Massive favorites. No matter how close the game can be.

I do think Rimpinen really deserves a gold like Saros in 2014. But how can you stop those flying Americans like Leonard, Hagens, Perreault, Hutson and others? Don't see it happening. But please let me be wrong.

Should be a good game. Hopefully USA will come out extra motivated since they lost to Finland last time they played.

They will. The only game they lost in 2 years and in OT. Will not happen again.

 

[jj cale]

I think the U.S is the best team in the tournament and will cap it off tonight.

5-2

 

[Svedu]

I can't see USA being as wasteful as Sweden if they start dominating like they did at the end of that game. I wouldn't be surprised if this game ends very quickly to be honest.

If Finland does pull his off it'll be the kids' version of the 2019 gold medal.

You are right with the above but I disagree with the 2019 part. This roster reminds more of 2014 where the Finns were huge underdogs. Teräväinen was awesome and better than all players in this years roster. Lehkonen and Mäenalanen had a good tournament and Lindell was huge defending our net with Saros. Risto scored the winning goal but I remember TT carrying the offense with a good Lehkonen and Lindell being the true master in D. But nothing would've been possible without Saros back then.

The 2019 had a good UPL. He was outstanding in the semi and final. Also deep in the goalie department behind him. So those are the similarities, true. But Vaakanainen, Jokiharju and Heinola were bigger prospects than any of this years D's. Laaksonen had a great tournament as well being very secure with the puck and making right plays.
Even if Heponiemi and Kupari didn't pan out at the next level they were pretty good and hyped up.
(Heponiemi will always question my predictions. Guy was so agile and fast, great puckhandling, passing and above average IQ. Thought for a long time he was a sure bet top9 and PP2 player for the NHL. Just didn't succeed and doesn't seem to be able to put some weight and strength on him through the years). Kupari on the other hand was a great skater as well, more like a fluid Kuznetsov type of skating. Great dangler in his juniors as well. Could almost go pass a whole team by himself, a bit like Lambert but not as explosive and actually more elegant than Lambert. Similar to Lambert lacked more in the IQ aspect and actually scoring).
Talvitie had captain written all over him. Ylönen was speedy as well. Tolvanen was a known scorer at this point and considered as a bigger producer than anyone in this years roster.
Lundell and Kakko were megaprospects for us back then. No one could take the puck from Kakko and Lundell already had that maturity and sound game written all over him back then.
No, we were a lot more stacked that year. People perhaps underrated the Finns but I remember expecting nothing else than a medal back then.

This years is something else. And we've not had a individual on TT's level so far. Can Helenius or someone else bring it for the final against the US? Who knows, I doubt it. But there is always minimal hope!

I predict 6-2 for the US.

 

[DeeQ]

You are right with the above but I disagree with the 2019 part.

I think the poster means that if Finland can pull this off it's like the kids' version of 2019 men's WC gold when the no name Finland team won

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Finns have the best goaltending in the tournament, they have a good chance imo

 

[NyQuil]

I think Sweden is actually more similar to the US so Finland might put up a bigger challenge.

Still, I think it’s the US Gold to lose.

Best of luck to both teams!

 

[FinPanda]

Final history Finland-USA in U20 WJC.. one game and one win for the Finns.

Lets repeat 2019. Late goal this time for Helenius with his tournament 1st.

Since 2000 USA has been in the final 7 times with 6 wins. One loss.. against the Finns. I like our odds.

 

[Buttermilk]

That will be tight game. Augustine was bit insecure previous game against Finland but after that he has been good. I hope he has seen nightmares Alasiurua's and Uronen's shots. Finland outplayed BC-line earlier too. Boys were frustrated with the rimpi. We need Rimpi more than ever. I think there is really no pressure in Finland. tbh I hate when people underestimate us but for real our chances are like 70-30.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

This will be a tough game for sure.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Ugh please pull this off, Finland. If the US goes back-to-back for the first time ever, we will never hear the end of it. Ever.

Hockey is America's game

Should be a great game, good luck to Finland. I think the loss earlier is going to fuel team USA to avenge it. Expect them to come out firing.

 

[karhukissa]

3-2 to Finland

 

[BB79]

Ugh please pull this off, Finland. If the US goes back-to-back for the first time ever, we will never hear the end of it. Ever.

At least your roads must be nice and clear with all that salt

Go ! Should be a good close game

 

[noncents]

I LOVE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD

big Stitches "Brick In Yo Face" energy

 

[Zine]

Cheering for a Finland shut-out.
Nobody should have to endure the godawful sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd while enjoying a hockey game. Lol

 

[llwyd]

It's never "easy 5-1" against Finland in meaningful games, whatever happens it will be close.

So much this, obviously the USA is the stronger team and they are clear favourites, but we are a bloodyminded, scrappy hockey nation, people don't enjoy playing against us. Our strength on paper is so much less than on the actual bloody ice.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

American has added motivation winning on Canadian soil

I’ll say 4-2 usa (empty net goal to end it)

Finland is always a tough out

 

[Summer Rose]

Let’s go USA!

 

[CanadienShark]

Americans are the favourite to win, but I'm hoping the Finns can pull off another win.

Head: 4-2 USA
Heart: 3-2 Finland in OT

 

[FinPanda]

This is either 3-2 Finland or 4-1 USA game.