The United States is coming off its first loss of the 2026 world junior hockey championship.
It can’t afford another loss.
Team USA, attempting its first three-peat at the tournament for the world’s best under-20 players, will face Finland on Friday, Jan. 2, in the quarterfinals. The team that loses goes home and the winner heads to the semifinals on Jan. 4. The medal games are Jan. 5.
The USA beat Finland in the championship game last year to pick up a second consecutive gold medal.
The Americans beat Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia in this tournament before losing to Sweden. They have been without top defenseman Cole Hutson since he was hit by a puck in the second game and left the ice on a stretcher. Max Plante missed the Sweden game with an injury. Hutson is expected to play Friday while Plante remains day-to-day.
USA is providing live coverage of the USA vs. Finland game. Follow along:
End of first: USA 0, Finland 0
USA outshoots Finland 12-8 in that period. Cole Hutson looks good moving the puck. The USA had a couple turnovers, but goalie Nick Kempf keeps it scoreless.
Finland power play
AJ Spellacy is called for tripping. The USA gave up three power-play goals by Sweden in the last game. The USA kills the first part of the penalty but 25 seconds will spill into the second period.
USA chance
AJ Spellacy breaks in with speed, but Petteri Rimpinen makes a save. Still scoreless with five minutes left in the first period.
Big save by Nick Kempf
He stops Heikki Ruohonen in tight after a USA turnover.
USA power play
Mitja Jokinen is called for hooking. Cole Hutson was on the ice at the time of the call, so he’s not on the power play unit to start, but he’s out there now. Finland kills it off.
Game underway
It’s win or go home.
What channel is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?
TV channel: NHL Network
Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.
Watch world junior championships on Fubo
What time is USA vs. Finland world juniors hockey game today?
Date: Friday, Jan. 2
Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.
World juniors USA vs. Finland: How to watch, stream
Time: 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2
Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
TV: NHL Network
Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.
World junior championships quarterfinals today
Jan. 2
Sweden 6 Latvia 3: The Swedes remain perfect at the tournament and will have the top seed in Sunday’s semifinals. Anton Frondell, a Blackhawks No. 3 overall pick, scored twice, including 10 seconds into the game.
Czechia vs. Switzerland, 4:30
USA vs. Finland, 6
Canada vs. Slovakia, 8:30
USA vs Finland history
The U.S. and Finland have met 40 times previously, with Team USA having a 20-19-1 advantage. They split games in last year’s tournament, but the USA won 4-3 in overtime for its second consecutive gold medal.
Cole Hutson injury update
The USA defenseman told NHL Network it has been a ‘pretty tough week, lots of emotions’ as he returns for the first time since his injury in the Switzerland game.
Asked how he would manage expectations on Friday, he said: ‘I think it’s keeping it simple for the first few shifts, make sure I’m not trying anything too crazy. Hopefully then my game will come out soon and somehow I’ll help the team win.’
USA, Finland lineups
Finland goaltender vs USA
Petteri Rimpinen, the top goalie of the 2025 tournament, is expected to start against the USA. Like last year, he has played every minute. The Kings draft pick has a 2.49 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage. Those numbers are down from last year.
USA goaltender vs Finland
The USA will go with Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf in net. He has given up only two goals in the tournament, including one on 17 shots in the third period against Sweden after he replaced starter Brady Knowling. He won the second game against Switzerland. He has a 1.54 goals against average and .934 save percentage.
Sweden advances to semifinals
Sweden improved to 5-0 after a 6-3 win against Latvia. Blackhawks draft pick Anton Frondell scored 10 seconds into the game and also scored in the third period.
USA players to watch
Will Zellers leads the USA with five goals and seven points. He had the game-winning goal in the first three games. Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) has six points and James Hagens (Bruins) has five.
Finland players to watch
Roope Vesterinen leads Finland with four goals and is tied for the team with five points. Defenseman Lasse Boelius also has five points, including two goals.
Cole Hutson injury update
The USA defenseman will suit up for the first time since he left the second game on a stretcher after being hit in the head by a puck. Injured forward Max Plante remains day-to-day.
Germany wins relegation game
Fifth-place Germany beat beat fifth-place Denmark 8-4 in Friday’s relegation game and will stay in the top level of the world junior championships. Denmark, which had qualified for the tournament this season, moves down one level. It went winless in Minnesota.
