It all comes down to this. The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship has reached its final stage as host Sweden will take on Team USA for the gold medal. These were the two best teams throughout the tournament and now there’s one game to determine who was best of all.
Bronze medal game
Finland vs. Czechia (9 a.m. ET)
Finland had won three straight before a 3-2 loss to the U.S. in the semifinals. It has finished among the top three in three of the past five World Juniors (gold medal in 2019, silver in 2022, bronze in 2021).
Watch Finland vs Czechia hockey: IIHF World Juniors without cable
The country has been led on offense by its captain, Jere Lassila (2024 draft eligible), who has seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games. Kasper Halttunen (Sharks) has six points (three goals), and the Finns have received steady play and big minutes from defensemen Kasper Kulonummi (Nashville Predators) and Otto Salin (Los Angeles Kings), who average 22:21 and 19:43 of ice time per game, respectively.
Watch USA vs Sweden hockey: IIHF World Juniors without cable
The U.S. has outscored the opposition 39-13 in six straight wins and seeks a sixth gold medal and first since 2021. It has been led offensively by Gauthier (12 points; 10 assists), Brindley (nine points; six goals), Howard (seven points; five goals) and Snuggerud (seven points; five goals). Hutson has six assists and leads his country in average ice time (23:24).
When Is The 2024 World Juniors Gold-Medal Game?
Team USA and Sweden will square off Friday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. ET, at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden.
How Can I Watch The 2024 World Juniors Gold Medal Game?
The gold-medal game will air live in the United States on NHL Network, while TSN will broadcast the game in Canada. The game will also stream on TSN’s digital platform in Canada.
Gold medal game
Sweden vs. United States (1:30 p.m. ET)
This one is going to be personal for Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets) and a few of his teammates when the United States plays Sweden in the gold medal game at Scandinavium.
Watch USA vs Sweden hockey: IIHF World Juniors without cable