USA beat Czechia 4-1 to set up world junior hockey final against Finland

Boston University’s Cole Eiserman broke a second-period tie and defending champion United States defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 on Saturday night to advance to the World Junior Hockey Championships.

The Americans will face Finland — a 4-3 overtime winner against Sweden in the first semifinal — for the title on Sunday night. Finland defeated the United States 4–3 in overtime in group play.

Eiserman made it 2-1 with 6:19 left in the second with a one-timer off a cross-ice feed.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Denver coach David Darle said. “We played against an excellent Czech team and it was a very difficult match. We continue to grow as a group and we will meet another great team tomorrow in Finland.”

Boston College teammates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault each had a goal and an assist for the Americans. Minnesota’s Oliver Moore also scored, and Michigan State’s Trey Augustine made 26 saves.

The Americans are looking for their seventh title and first consecutive championships.

“It would mean everything,” said Perreault, who also played last season. “We certainly have the team to do it. We are ready to go.”

Jakub Stancl scored for the Czechs. Michael Hrabal stopped 21 shots.

In the first semifinal, Benjamin Rautiainen scored on a power play at 9:22 of overtime to lift Finland past Sweden.

Rautiainen beat goalkeeper Melker Thelin from an acute angle to the right of the net with a 4-on-3 man advantage, while Tom Willander was in the penalty area for holding.

“A very skilled man who does these kinds of things,” Finnish coach Lauri Mikkola said of Rautiainen. “Nobody expected him to shoot.”

Petteri Rimpinen made 43 saves for Finland. Emil Hemming had a goal and an assist and Jesse Kiiskinen and Arttu Alasiurua also scored.

Otto Stenberg scored twice for Sweden. Wilhelm Hallquisth also scored and Thelin stopped 31 shots.