Lane Hutson fights late in victory for gold

The Grand Final of the World Junior Championship was played this afternoon between the Americans and the Swedes.

It was an eagerly-awaited match for both teams, who met at the U-18 World Championship in 2022.

14 Swedish players and 12 American players were part of the 2022 event, and Sweden won the match:

The Americans were hungry at the start of the game and came out well in the first period.

It was Gabriel Perreault, Yanic’s son, who scored the first goal of the game for the United States :

The Americans retreated to the locker room with a one-nil lead after the first twenty, but Sweden brought everyone back to order early in the second period with a quick goal.

Otto Stenberg scored the Swedes’ first goal…

But that’s when Isaac Howard woke up on the U.S. side.

The Lightning prospect, selected in the first round (31st overall) of the 2022 draft, scored two goals in a row to give his club a nice little lead :

USA GOAL

An incredible pass by Drew Fortescue sets up this Isaac Howard goal to give Team USA the lead! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/tBAwk4NfhR

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2024

The second period was absolutely crazy.

The energy of both teams was impressive, and you could really feel the guys giving it their all on the ice.

The Americans were about to go into the locker room with a two-goal lead, but Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäkin spoiled the party with a goal with five seconds left in the second period.

The score was 3-2 after the second period:

Jonathan Lekkerimäki with a HUGE goal for the Swedes!

3-2 to the Americans with 20 minutes to play @StephRDSJunior pic.twitter.com/IvBpT6N74Y

– RDS (@RDSca) January 5, 2024

Lane Hutson’s team wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard in the third period.

A quick goal by 18-year-old defenseman Zeev Buium gave the U.S. team some breathing room:

One of the hottest prospects in the recent draft, Ryan Leonard, scored the insurance goal with just under four minutes left in the game.

He used his speed and size to outpace the defender, before cutting inside and firing a shot that gave the Swedish goalie no chance.

American captain Rutger McGroarty scored into an empty net to extinguish Sweden’s chances.

The Swedes were visibly frustrated… and Lane Hutson decided to have a little fun by throwing down the gloves to help his teammate.

No, it’s not a prank!

LANE HUTSON IS A GOON pic.twitter.com/ddszBkmHAH

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 5, 2024

But at the end of the game, what we remember most is the arrogance of the American players. The tournament may have been held in Sweden, and the boys wanted to avenge their defeat at the U-18 World Championship in 2022, but still.

Spouts to the crowd, signs to other players… It’s a little embarrassing.

Winning the gold medal is cool. But that doesn’t mean they have to act like cabochons either. The following example is perfect for describing the situation:

All this to say Jacob Fowler, Lane Hutson and the USA are crowned tournament champions.

This is the 6th gold medal in the country’s history at the World Junior Championships.

Extensions

It’s worth noting that earlier today, the Czech Republic beat Finland in the bronze medal match.

Canada was quickly eliminated, but the IIHF can be satisfied with the way the competition went.