Despite insurance goal from Penguins' defensive prospect, Team Finland loses overtime thriller to Team USA in World Junior gold medal game
The Pittsburgh Penguins had two prospects - both for Team Finland - lacing up the skates for the gold medal game against Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario on Sunday.
Despite falling short, one prospect continued to impress.
Finland dropped the championship game to Team USA, 4-3, in an overtime thriller. Teddy Stiga scored the overtime winner on a breakaway opportunity to give Team USA its second consecutive World Junior title for the first time in IIHF history.
But, earlier in the game, Penguins defensive prospect and Team Finland alternate captain Emil Pieniniemi scored his second goal of the tournament - and registered his third point - to put Finland ahead, 3-1, in the second period.
After the game, Pieniniemi was named the first star of the game for Finland.
The World Juniors featured Penguins prospects Pieniniemi and Kalle Kangas for Team Finland and Tanner Howe for Team Canada. Canada was eliminated when they dropped their quarterfinal contest to Czechia, 4-3.
Howe finished with one goal and Kangas with one assist total.
