United States Rally From Two-Goal Deficit​ in Third Period But Fall To Finland, 3-2, in World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Harrison Brown
@sportscentrePhoto: @SportsCentre

Despite a late rally to tie the game after being down by two in the third period, the United States fell to Finland by a score of 3-2 in the IIHF World Junior Championship game at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Saturday night. 

Lineups

First Period

New York Islanders prospect Oliver Wahlstrom thought he scored to make it 1-0 USA pouncing on a loose puck in the crease in a goal-mouth scramble after the puck took a crazy bounce off of the stanchion. Unfortunately for the US, the power-play goal would be waved off due to goalie interference.

Finland led 13-9 in shots after one.

Second Period

Defenseman Jesse Ylonen gave Finland the 1-0 lead with a bomb glove side on goaltender Cayden Primeau from the point after getting a cross-ice pass off the faceoff 11:31 into the period.

Finland led 22-17 in shots, including 9-8 in the second period.

Third Period

Six minutes into the period, defenseman Otto Latvala wristed a shot from the point to extend the Finn’s lead to two.

1:01 later, forward Sasha Chmelevski cut the lead in half for the U.S. as he sniped a shot past Finnish goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s blocker after a give and go with forward Jack Hughes was broken up by a Finnish defenseman. The puck went right to Cheweleski, who buried it to get the United States back in the game.

San Jose Sharks prospect Josh Norris tied the game for the United States after getting a backhand cross-ice feed from Chmelevski. Norris one-timed it under the blocker of Luukkonen with 11:13 remaining in regulation.

Forward Koppo Kakko gave Finland the lead back with 1:26 left after a puck was thrown on net from the point and the Finns were hacking and whacking on a mad scramble in front of the net.

Finland led 29-27 in shots in regulation with the Americans leading 10-9 in the final frame.

By Harrison Brown

About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077
This entry was posted in Game Re-Caps, Games, Lineups, News, Propsects and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply