Finland Crush USA to Stay Unbeaten at 2026 Ice Hockey Worlds

Perfect start continues for Leijonat  

Finland dominated defending champions USA 6-2 in Zurich to remain unbeaten after three games, while the Americans slip to fifth in Group A.

Hameenaho stars as Finland thump USA at ice Hockey Worlds. Finland rout USA 6-2 to gain revenge and go top of Group A...

Finland maintained a perfect record after three games at the 2026 World Ice Hockey Championship, beating defending champions USA 6-2 in their Group A clash in Zurich, Switzerland.

Starting the tournament with two wins gave Finland the ideal build-up for this game. It was also a chance to put last year’s quarter-final exit against the same USA side behind them. The Americans had recovered from an opening loss to Switzerland by beating Great Britain earlier in the tournament.

Finland’s strong form showed again just over six minutes in when they opened the scoring. Leni Hameenaho stripped the puck from Ryan Leonard at centre ice, drove down the left on his own, and finished the solo run with a clean shot.

The lead did not last long. Less than 90 seconds later, Oliver Moore took the puck from behind his own net, weaved past the defense along the right boards, and set up Matt Coronato for a first-time finish.

The fast-paced play continued, and Finland went ahead again a minute later. Hameenaho turned provider this time, sliding the puck across the blue line for Patrik Puistola. The Frölunda forward lifted his head and fired it in off the posts.

A slashing penalty against Henri Jokiharju gave the USA a chance to equalize, but the power play was canceled out about 30 seconds later when Leonard was called for tripping.

A DOMINANT win for @leijonat 🇫🇮 👊 #MensWorlds #IIHF

Game Recap 📰 https://t.co/wjPuxmLxvI pic.twitter.com/Byqjwj04QT

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 18, 2026

That left both teams at 4-on-4, and Finland made better use of the open ice. Aatu Raty took Mikko Lehtonen’s pass through the middle, skated into the American zone unchallenged, and slid a low shot between Joseph Woll’s pads.

Leonard’s tough opening period got worse in the final minute when he was penalized for tripping again. That gave Finland a man advantage to start the second period, and they made it count.

Finland’s power play was nearly over, but with around 10 seconds left they moved the puck smoothly around the attacking zone. Lehtonen found Hameenaho on the left, and the New Jersey Devils forward rifled in his second goal of the game.

Returning to full strength did not help Team USA. They conceded again 30 seconds later when Olli Maatta slid the puck across from the left wing. Saku Maenalanen got a slight touch that diverted it past Woll, who was then pulled in favor of Devin Cooley.

The US showed more resilience for the rest of the period. They held firm defensively even after Sam Lafferty and Ryan Lindgren both served two-minute penalties. Still, a lack of composure in front of goal meant they could not reduce Finland’s four-goal lead.

Despite the comfortable lead, Antti Pennanen’s side began to lose discipline early in the third period. Eemil Erholtz was called for fighting, and right after the face-off, Olli Maatta received a delay of game penalty.

It took the USA just six seconds to take advantage of the 5-on-3. The face-off was worked back to Justin Faulk at the corner, and he slid the puck across for Ryan Ufko. Justus Annunen saved Ufko’s shot, but Leonard was there to score the rebound.

Whatever the US could do with two extra players, Finland matched with one. Paul Cotter was sent to the box for roughing in the seventh minute, and Finland responded with a goal that mirrored the USA’s. Anton Lundell forced home the rebound from his own initial shot.

That goal took the momentum out of the USA. They managed 18 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes, but most came before Lundell’s strike. Finland cruised to a 6-2 win and moved top of Group A, while the United States dropped to fifth. Hameenaho led all players with three points.

Finland return to action on Thursday the 21st, when Latvia will try to end their perfect run. The United States will be back on the ice a day earlier against Germany.