The day has finally arrived to crown a new World Junior Champion and one more left for Last Word’s 2024 World Juniors predictions. After 12 days of intense, hard-fought, and dramatic hockey we are now down to the final game. Ten teams started the tournament, and only two remain in the hunt for gold. The first is the host nation Sweden, which will face the pre-tournament favourites from the USA. A clash between two of the best nations for development and youth programs and a clash between two very different styles of hockey. The game looks to be one for the history books no matter the outcome. The last question to answer is who will be victorious after the match has seen its final whistle.
2024 World Junior Predictions: Team Sweden
Today 12 years of disappointment could be over for Sweden. Finally, they have made it back final, and they are hoping for a better outcome than in the three finals they have lost since their win in 2012. They especially don’t want a repeat of 2014, where they also were in the final in front of the Swedish home crowd. Here they lost in overtime to a Rasmus Ristolainen goal.
On the way to the final, the Swedes started the knockout stage with a major scare against Switzerland. After cruising through the first half an hour with a two goal lead, things suddenly changed. Switzerland took advantage of the very nonchalant and poor play and punished them, which put the game into overtime. Here Sweden was lucky a few times before Alex Sandin Pellikka sent the Swedes into jubilation with a goal. Against Czechia, things were much better. While it was close and even for most of the game, the Swedes played a structured and focused game. Especially in the third period where they were dominating every part of the game to earn their spot in the final.
Player to Watch
For both teams, there are a lot of names to pick from as the player to watch. The teams are stacked with game-changers, and for Sweden, one of those is Noah Östlund. The Buffalo Sabres prospect has had an amazing tournament with nine points in six games, and against Czechia he was magnificent. He was involved in the forecheck and always seemed to make the right decision with the puck. Especially in terms of his chemistry with Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who he set up for shots constantly. It was only fitting that he got the goal to put the game to bed and secure Sweden a spot in the final. USA will have to find a way to stop this connection or else they could be the difference that ends the 12-year wait for gold.
2024 World Junior Predictions: Team USA
The American favourites have so far been living up to all the pre-tournament expectations and are deservingly in the final. The team has been a joy to watch in all their games and has the most quality on paper. From their netminding to their very direct attacking approach this is a team that would be among one of the best-ever American teams to win. However, they do have one more hurdle left in Sweden if they reclaim their title from 2021 as World Junior Champions.
Team USA’s knockout stage has almost been a direct counterpart to Sweden’s. After breezing past Latvia with a simple 7-2 win, they suddenly had their scare in the Semi-final. Against Finland, they got off to the worst possible start and were down 2-0 within the first 12 minutes. A nightmare start, that could have been worse if not for great goaltending by Trey Augustine. Halfway through the game, the Americans finally got back on their feet and in dramatic fashion, scored the go-ahead goal with three minutes left of the game. Despite a pushing from the Finnish side including a couple late chances, Team USA would hold on and move onto today’s Gold Medal Final.
Player to Watch
While the USA had many options for the player to watch, one name stands out among the rest, Cutter Gauthier. The player who booked the ticket to the final for Team USA with the late winner over Finland, and who is the top scoring player of the tournament. In six games he has 12 points, ten of which are assists. That shows just how good a playmaker he has been these World Juniors. The Philadelphia Flyers 2022 fifth-overall pick has been truly great and if Sweden are to have any chance to win, they have to prevent Gauthier from being a factor. If he is allowed to play his game, he could singlehandedly win the gold medal for Team USA.
Prediction
This will be a tight 2024 World Juniors prediction and is incredibly tough to call. Both teams have overcome adversity and both have had periods of pure brilliance. What even further complicates calling a winner is the fact both teams play very different styles of hockey. Sweden is very organized and smart defensively, with a focus on structure before anything else. Meanwhile, Team USA is very offensively minded and play a direct style of attacking hockey with a tonne of speed. Which style will come out on top is a question in itself, but it should be a close and fantastic match regardless. While it’s hard to call a winner, it will be filled with drama, excitement and lots of intensity. And where the Swedish home crowd might be the difference in overtime to secure the Swedes the win.
Prediction: Sweden wins 3-2 in overtime
Main photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
