U.S. beats Finland 4-3 in OT to capture second straight world junior gold

The United States battled back from a 3-1 deficit late in the second period to defeat Finland 4-3 and secure the country's second straight world junior hockey championship Sunday.

Teddy Stiga started his journey as a healthy scratch.

He ended it bathed in glory with a gold medal hanging from his neck.

The 18-year-old forward scored at 8:04 of overtime as the United States battled back from a 3-1 deficit late in the second period to defeat Finland 4-3 and secure the country's second straight world junior hockey championship Sunday.

"Unreal," Stiga said in front of a throng of reporters and cameras. "Being able to win a gold and in that way, nothing better."

The Boston native and second-round pick of the Nashville Predators started the tournament on the outside before finding his place in an ultra-skilled lineup.

"You gotta find a role," Stiga said after burying his one and only shot of the event. "Trying to do what I could do best to help the team win. It wasn't always points and scoring. Being able to top it off with one there was pretty cool."

Cole Hutson, with a goal and an assist, James Hagens and Brandon Svoboda provided the rest of the offence in regulation for the U.S., which secured consecutive men's under-20 titles for the first time in the program's history. Hutson became the first defenceman to lead the world juniors in scoring.