Finland gain revenge on USA with comfortable Group A win in Zurich

Finland's Anton Lundell (L) fights for the puck with USA's Max Sasson
Finland's Anton Lundell (L) fights for the puck with USA's Max SassonSEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP / AFP / Profimedia

Finland have stayed perfect after three matches at the 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship by cruising to a 6-2 victory over current title-holders USA in their Group A match in Zurich, Switzerland.

Two wins from two to begin the tournament was ideal preparation for a Finland side looking to banish memories of their elimination in last year's Quarter-finals at the hands of the reigning champions United States, who bounced back from an opening defeat to Switzerland with victory against Great Britain.

And it looked to be Finland's good form that would continue just over six minutes in when they took the lead, as Leni Hameenaho stole the puck from Ryan Leonard at centre ice, attacked by himself down the left and finished off a great individual effort with a clean strike.

However, the lead lasted less than 90 seconds - Oliver Moore carried the puck from behind his own net, jinking past the defence down the right side when close to the glass, before laying it off for Matt Coronato to blast home first time.

But the frantic period of play continued and Leijonat were ahead again a minute later, when Hameenaho turned provider, squaring the puck along the blue line for the arriving Patrik Puistola, and the Frolunda man got his head up and fired the puck in off the pipes.

A slashing call against Henri Jokiharju looked to have given the USA a good chance to equalise, but the powerplay was cancelled out around 30 seconds in when Leonard was guilty of tripping.

That created a 4-on-4 situation, and it was the Finns who made better use of the space, as Aatu Raty received Mikko Lehtonen's forward pass in the centre, before travelling into the American zone unchallenged and shooting low between the pads of Joseph Woll.

A worsening opening period for Leonard got worse in the final minute when he was again guilty of tripping, ensuring Finland would begin period two with a man advantage, and they made that advantage count.

Aatu Raty celebrates his goal
Aatu Raty celebrates his goalČTK / AP / Claudio Thoma

Time was running down on the powerplay, but with around 10 seconds left, Finland moved the puck around the attacking zone with ease before Lehtonen found Hameenaho on the left, and the New Jersey Devils forward rifled in his second of the game.

Getting back to full strength did nothing to help Team USA, who conceded again 30 seconds later when Olli Maatta passed the puck in front from the left wing, and a faint touch from Saku Maenalanen diverted it past Woll, who was then replaced by Devin Cooley.

The US showed more resilience for the rest of the period, holding firm in defence after Sam Lafferty and Ryan Lindgren both spent two minutes in the penalty box, but a lack of finesse in front of goal meant they failed to cut Finland's four-goal lead.

Despite the healthy advantage, Antti Pennanen's side began to lose their cool early in the third period - as Eemil Erholtz was called for fighting and, almost immediately following the face-off, Maatta was hit with a delay of game penalty.

And it took all of six seconds for the USA to profit from the 5-on-3 situation, as the next face-off was worked back to Justin Faulk at the corner, and he slid the puck across for Ryan Ufko to hit. His effort was saved by Justus Annunen, but Leonard was on hand to score the rebound.

But anything the US could do with two extra players, the Finns could do with one - Paul Cotter was sent to the box for roughing in the seventh minute, and with a play that was almost the mirror image of the US' goal, Anton Lundell forced home the rebound, albeit from his own initial effort.

That goal knocked the wind out of the USA sails - they forced 18 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes, but the majority of them came before the Lundell strike, and Finland cruised to a 6-2 win to go top of Group A, while the States drop to fifth. Hameenaho led the way with three points in the contest.

Finland are back in action again on Thursday 21st, when Latvia will be the side attempting to end their perfect record. The United States will be on the ice a day earlier, when they meet Germany.

Follow the 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship on Flashscore.

Wil jij jouw toestemming voor het tonen van reclames voor weddenschappen intrekken?
Ja, verander instellingen