Lane Hutson complicit in Americans’ winning goal against Finland

A good challenge awaited the Americans today at the World Junior Championship.

The U.S. faced Finland in the semifinals, looking to book their place in tomorrow’s grand final.

Our southern neighbors got off to a poor start… so much so that after 13 minutes of play, they were trailing 2-0.

The Americans all looked a little lost in the first half:

Jimmy Snuggerud, a Blues prospect with an exceptional shot, was the man who woke his team up in the second period.

He used his favourite weapon to hurt the Finns… And the goal he scored was quite simply magnificent.

The shot on landing, the puck deflecting into the net after hitting the crossbar… A thing of beauty! #BarDown

Jimmy Snuggerud with a world-class shot against Finland pic.twitter.com/XLuG54mEUu

– RDS (@RDSca) January 4, 2024

That goal really gave the U.S. wings.

Will Smith, a beloved Montreal Canadiens prospect in the last draft, leveled the score late in the second with one of the easiest goals of his career.

All he had to do was drop the puck into an abandoned cage after receiving a beautiful pass from his teammate:

The score was 2-2 after the second period, and the third period was full of emotion.

The guys were fighting for a spot in the final, after all, and the intensity really kicked into high gear.

And then… who was complicit in the winning goal scored by Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier?

You guessed it. We’re talking about Lane Hutson, of course:

The game ended 3-2 in favor of the Americans, who will face Sweden tomorrow in the tournament’s grand final.

The Czech Republic and Finland will battle it out for the bronze medal. Lane Hutson was named one of the Americans’ top three players of the tournament.

Extra time

The goal scored by Cutter Gauthier, the tournament’s top scorer, was his second of the tournament.

He chose the right moment to come out of his shell, and there’s no denying it. The Flyers have a good one on their hands…