Petteri Rimpinen's 36-save outing wasted, costly OT defensive lapse, and more: 3 reasons why Finland lost 4-3 in OT to USA in 2025 WJC final

Team Finland suffered a heartbreaking 3-4 overtime loss to the United States at the 2025 WJC Final on Sunday night in Ottawa. The Finns were hoping to complete another upset after beating the US earlier in the tournament.

However, Teddy Stiga of the Nashville Predators ended Finland’s dreams of gold with the game-winner just over eight minutes into the overtime frame.

Emil Peininiemi, Jesse Kiiskinen and Tuomas Uronen lit the lamp for Finland. Meanwhile, Brandon Svoboda, James Hagens and Cole Hutson got the tallies for the American side.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the three key reasons why Team Finland lost against Team USA at the 2025 WJC Final.

3 reasons why Finland lost against USA in OT at 2025 WJC Final

#3 Finland was outplayed

Overall, the Finns were outplayed. The American squad outshot the Finns 40-24, and they piled on the pressure in overtime, which led to Stiga’s game-winning goal at the 2025 WJC Final.

While the Finns jumped out to a 3-1 lead, they could not sustain the momentum, allowing the Americans to get back into the game. Ultimately, the Finnish squad was outplayed by an American team looking to avenge their earlier loss in the competition's initial stages.

#2 Blown lead

The Finns could have taken home the gold had they held their 3-1 lead. However, the Americans chipped away at the lead once they took their foot off the gas and eventually tied the game.

While Finland deserves credit for keeping the game tied in the third, they could not hold the Americans back in overtime.

The US had two solid chances in overtime before Zeev Buium’s laser-sharp pass hit a streaking Teddy Stiga for the game-winner.

While their effort was commendable, Finland seemed to lose confidence towards the end. Although they won a silver, it will not heal the pain of their defeat.

#1 Rimpinen’s outing wasted

Goaltender Petteri Rimpinen #30 of Team Finland concedes a goal by Team USA in the second period of the gold medal game at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Credits: Getty)

The overtime game-winner resulted from a costly defensive lapse. The sequence leading to the goal started behind the American goal, with Buium launching a rocket pass from the American blue line all the way to the Finnish zone.

The pass went through an outstretched Finnish defender who completely misread the play. This left Petteri Rimpinen alone against Stiga, who managed to squeak the puck through the five-hole.

The goal was a tough ending for Finland, as Rimpinen had kept the Finns in the game, particularly in overtime. The result was harsh on the goaltender, as he had given his team a chance to win right up until the end of the game.

Still, Team Finland can build on the second-place finish at the 2025 WJC Final for something better next season.