Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect Trey Augustine can do something on Sunday that’s never been done before – help lead the United States to back-to-back gold medals at the World Junior Championship.
Augustine, a sophomore at Michigan State, made 26 saves Saturday and the U.S. defeated Czechia 4-1 in the semifinals at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
The U.S. faces Finland for the gold medal Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (NHL Network). Finland, with Red Wings forward prospect Jesse Kiiskinen defeated Sweden, led by Detroit defense prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka, 4-3 in overtime in the other semifinal.
Augustine and the U.S. beat Sweden last year for the gold medal.
Cole Eiserman snapped a 1-1 tie on the power play at 13:41 of the second period. Ryan Leonard provided an insurance goal at 15:33 of the third and Oliver Moore finished off the scoring with an empty-net goal on the power play with 1:07 remaining.
Gabe Perreault had opened the scoring at 3:14 of the first before Czechia tied it on a goal from Jakub Stancl at 9:28 of the first.
In the first semifinal, Benjamin Rautiaien’s power-play goal at 9:22 of overtime lifted Finland, seeking its first gold medal since 2019.
Kiiskinen scored his team-leading fifth goal, on the power play, at 13:28 of the second to put Finland ahead 2-1.
Sandin-Pellikka was held off the scoresheet, registering four shots during a game-high 30:17 of ice time.
Konsta Helenius, the 14th overall pick in 2024 by Buffalo, assisted on all four goals for Finland. Otto Stenberg (25th overall by St. Louis in 2023) scored twice for Sweden.