Just four teams remain in this year’s World Junior Championship, and Team USA is suddenly the odds-on favorite to win it all.
Two-time defending champion Canada bowed out of the tournament with a semifinal loss to Czechia. Now, the Americans will look to avoid that very fate when they take on Finland in a semifinal clash Thursday afternoon.
Team USA has put together a pristine tournament powered by a dynamic attack. The Americans are averaging 7.2 goals per game on the heels of a 7-2 victory over Latvia in the quarterfinals. Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault scored twice to pace Team USA.
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And the Americans’ attack is diverse: All 20 players have registered a point this tournament, while 15 have scored a goal. Philadelphia farmhand Cutter Gauthier leads the way with 10 points through the first five games.
Finland offers a change of pace, entering the matchup with just 18 goals in five games. But they are gritty and battle-tested, coming off a dramatic, 4-3 overtime victory over Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Captain Jere Lassila netted the game-winner 24 seconds into the overtime period to vault Finland into the semifinals.
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This marks the 38th all-time meeting between Team USA and Finland at the World Juniors. The Americans took the last matchup, a 4-3 semifinal victory in 2021.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the semifinal matchup between USA and Finland, including TV and streaming options for the game.
What channel is USA vs. Finland on today?
- TV channels: TSN (Canada) | NHL Network (United States)
- Live stream: TSN app (Canada) | Fubo (United States)
USA vs. Finland will air on TSN across Canada and NHL Network throughout the U.S. Viewers can also stream the game on the TSN app in Canada and Fubo in the U.S.
Cord cutters are in luck, as Fubo offers a free trial, allowing you to try before you buy.
USA vs. Finland start time
The semifinal match between USA and Finland will start at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 4 at Frölundaborg Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden.
E.J. Hradek (play-by-play), Dave Starman (color analyst) and Jon Rosen (sideline reporter) will have the call for NHL Network, as they have for each of Team USA's games throughout the tournament.
World Juniors odds
With just four teams remaining — and the two-time defending champions, Canada, officially eliminated — here are the updated odds for this year's tournament (via Sports Interaction).
| Team | Odds |
| USA | -125 |
| Sweden | +220 |
| Czechia | +800 |
| Finland | +900 |
| Czechia | +1700 |
World Juniors schedule 2024
Here is the remaining schedule for the 2024 World Junior Championship.
Thursday, Jan. 4
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Relegation Game: Germany vs. Norway | 5 a.m. | TSN/NHL Network |
| Semifinal 1: Sweden vs. Czechia | 9 a.m. | TSN/NHL Network |
| Semifinal 2: USA vs. Finland | 1:30 p.m. | TSN/NHL Network |
Friday, Jan. 5
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Medal Game | 9 a.m. | TSN/NHL Network |
| Gold Medal Game | 1:30 p.m. | TSN/NHL Network |