U.S. downs Finland for right to face Canadians

The United States has grown in confidence with each win at the world junior championship and heading into the semifinal against Finland looked like the only team able to really challenge Canada for the gold medal.

After losing its opening game 5-3 to Russia, the U.S. reeled off three consecutive wins to finish first in Group B and avoid a meeting with Canada until the final.

Their semifinal win, a 4-3 nail-biter, put them into the gold medal game with Canada.

The Americans weren't underestimating Finland in the semifinal at Rogers Place on Monday, but were pleased with how they progressed in the tournament.

“Finland, they're a pesky team, they stick around, they have a good power play, they have the second-best power play in the tournament, so discipline is going to be very important,” U.S. head coach Nate Leaman said prior to the contest. “Managing the puck is going to be important, trying to get them playing in their zone as much as possible is going to be important.”

Goaltender Spencer Knight got the start for the U.S., bouncing back nicely after getting the hook in the 5-3 loss against Russia. Knight went into the game with a 1.70 goals against average and .924 save percentage, posting two shutouts since losing the opener. Only Canadian goaltender Devon Levi had better numbers heading into the semifinal — and improved them with a third shutout as Canada blanked Russia 5-0. A big part of Knight's success has been the play of the U.S. defence, which was instrumental in shutout wins against Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden.

The Americans earned a spot in the semifinal with a 5-2 win against Slovakia, outshooting their opponents 43-18.

FINLAND'S BEST

Forward Anton Lundell has been Finland's top offensive player at the tournament.

He went into the semifinal with four goals and seven points in five games. Finland advanced to the semifinal with a 3-2 win against Sweden on a goal with 25 seconds left in the third period.

Lundell had scored the tying goal 8½ minutes earlier.

“He shoots on the power play; their power play is very good,” Leaman said. “He's big, he can skate, he's got a really good stick and he's a good player, he's an elite player.”

FARINACCI BRINGS IT

Forward John Farinacci scored his third and fourth goals of the tournament in the win against Slovakia and has been a bright spot for the U.S.

Farinacci, 19, was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the third round — 76th overall — in the 2019 NHL draft. He had four goals and four assists in six games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL this season. He had 10 goals and 22 points in 31 games with Harvard last year.