The United States triumphed in the world junior hockey championship as 2024 began.

They secured their first-place position in their group by defeating their arch-rivals Canada 4-1 on December 31, 2024, advancing towards a potential repeat title at the under-20 competition, which showcases both top drafted and draft-eligible hockey players.

Historically, the USA has not claimed back-to-back championships and will next face Switzerland in the quarterfinals scheduled for Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NHL Network. Canada will end up in third place and will meet Czechia, while the other quarterfinal matches include Sweden versus Latvia and Finland against Slovakia.

Utilizing Canada’s lack of discipline, the USA capitalized on three power-play opportunities during the match. Cole Hutson, a defenseman from Boston University who is drafted by the Washington Capitals and the brother of Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson, contributed with a goal and an assist, leading the U.S. with eight points.

Trey Augustine was chosen as the USA’s goaltender, and he delivered with a strong performance, stopping 38 shots after previously allowing eight goals in his first two games.

Here are some key moments from the U.S. victory over Canada in the world junior hockey championship:

Canada pulls their goalie, Ryan Leonard scores

In an attempt to force overtime and avoid finishing third, Canada opted to remove goalie Carter George to add an extra skater in the dying minutes. USA captain Ryan Leonard found the empty net after a turnover from Canada, sealing the score at 4-1.

Cole Eiserman extends USA’s lead

As Canada continued to play undisciplined hockey with unnecessary penalties, Cole Eiserman took advantage by scoring with a wrist shot from the top of the right face-off circle, giving the USA a 3-1 lead. Every goal in the match was scored during a power play.

USA scores on power play to take the lead

The Americans scored their second power-play goal when Cole Hutson skated behind the net and set up Danny Nelson, who netted a shot from the slot, lifting the USA to a 2-1 lead.

Canada levels the score during a power play

Bradly Nadeau tied the match with a powerful one-timer just two seconds after Ryan Leonard had gone to the penalty box. Brayden Yager assisted Nadeau with a well-placed pass.

End of the second period: USA 1, Canada 0

The Americans were unable to take advantage of three power-play opportunities and entered the third period at a disadvantage, with captain Ryan Leonard penalized for roughing as time expired. U.S. goalie Trey Augustine had tallied 27 saves so far.

USA awarded another power play

Canada managed to kill off the last two U.S. power plays but continued to struggle with discipline. Sam Dickinson received a holding penalty, allowing the USA another chance, though Canada managed to hold despite a surge from the Americans.

USA gets back on power play

After Carson Rehkopf took a second penalty, this time for tripping Zeev Buium, the USA got another power play but again could not convert. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the USA.

Power play opportunity for USA

After Carson Rehkopf interfered with Trey Augustine, USA was handed a power play, but they struggled to capitalize and only managed a single shot.

Disallowed USA goal

Gabe Perreault looked to have scored, but the goal was disallowed as James Hagens high-sticked the puck before it crossed the line.

Canada gets its first power play

The USA’s Logan Hensler was penalized for holding, granting Canada their first power play of the game. Goalie Trey Augustine came up big under pressure, making crucial saves to keep the Canadians scoreless.

End of first period: USA 1, Canada 0

The only goal of the first period came at 13:02 from Cole Hutson. After Cole Eiserman redirected a clearing attempt from Canada, Hutson raced in and fired a shot past goalie Carter George, marking the first goal George allowed throughout the tournament. Hutson now leads the U.S. with seven points.

Trey Augustine was solid in goal, stopping all eleven shots he faced in the first period.

Today’s world juniors hockey results

• Switzerland 3, Kazakhstan 1 Switzerland secures a spot in the quarterfinals. Kazakhstan will play Germany in a relegation match at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday
• Finland 3, Latvia 0
• Sweden 4, Czechia 2 Sweden clinches Group B
• United States 4, Canada 1 USA wins Group A

World juniors hockey playoff schedule

All times are in Eastern Time

January 2

• Sweden vs. Latvia, noon, NHLN, TSN
• United States vs. Switzerland, 2:30, NHLN, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
• Finland vs. Slovakia, 5:00, NHLN, TSN
• Czechia vs. Canada, 7:30, NHLN, TSN

January 4

• Semifinal 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN
• Semifinal 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN

January 5

• Third-place game at 5:00 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN

• Game, 3:30 PM, NHL Network, TSN
• Championship match, 7:30 PM, NHL Network, TSN

When will the USA vs. Canada world juniors hockey match take place?

The USA and Canada are set to compete at 8:00 PM ET at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

How to tune in to the USA vs. Canada world juniors hockey match

You can catch the game on NHL Network if you’re in the United States and on TSN if you are in Canada.

Key players for USA vs. Canada

USA: James Hagens, a top contender for the number one pick in the 2025 NHL draft, is leading the Americans with six points. He plays alongside his Boston College teammates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Defenseman Cole Hutson also has six points and he is the sibling of Lane Hutson, a Montreal Canadiens defenseman. Starting in goal for the USA is Trey Augustine from Michigan State (1-0-1).

Canada: Currently, no Canadian player is ranked among the top 25 scorers in the tournament, with Easton Cowan leading the squad with three points. Gavin McKenna, with one goal, is seen as a frontrunner for the 2026 draft. Goalie Carter George has managed to achieve two shutouts.

World juniors hockey results

December 26

• Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
• United States 10, Germany 4
• Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
• Canada 4, Finland 0

December 27

• Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
• Finland 3, Germany 1
• Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
• Latvia 3, Canada 2 (SO)

December 28

• Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
• United States 5, Latvia 1

December 29

• Sweden 7, Switzerland 5
• Finland 4, United States 3 (OT)
• Czechia 4, Slovakia 2
• Canada 3, Germany 0

December 30

• Slovakia 5, Kazakhstan 4 (OT)
• Latvia 4, Germany 3 (OT)