Finland routs defending champion USA at world championships: Highlights

Finland is known for its disciplined defensive game that makes it hard for opponents to create offense.

But on Monday, May 18, the defending champion USA had to worry about Finland’s offense.

The Finns scored seemingly at will to rout the United States, 6-2, at the men's hockey world championships. The USA has only three points and is fifth place through three games. Finland improved to 3-0 with nine points.

The score was 3-1 Finland less than 15 minutes into the game, then the Finns scored two goals in the first two minutes of the second period.

The USA pulled Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll and inserted the Flames’ Devin Cooley.

Lenni Hameenaho led Finland with two goals and an assist, while Matt Coronato and Ryan Leonard scored for the USA.

“We’re obviously disappointed, but we’ve got a competitive group and we’ll take some lessons from this game as we move forward,” said head coach Don Granato.

The Americans have one win in their first three games, beating Great Britain and falling to Switzerland and Finland. They beat Finland and Switzerland last year on their way to winning their first gold medal since 1933 but have only two returnees from that team.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates on the USA vs. Finland game at the IIHF world championship. Here are highlights:

USA vs. Finland highlights

What's next for the USA?

The Americans will face Germany on Wednesday, May 20. Germany lost its first two games and is facing Switzerland later Monday. U.S. Olympian Matthew Tkachuk is scheduled to arrive in Switzerland on Tuesday.

Final score: Finland 6, USA 2

Tough game for the USA, which temporarily fell to fifth place, below the cut line for the quarterfinals. They have four games left in the preliminary round to climb the standings.

Finland score: Finland gets power play goal

Paul Cotter is called for roughing and Finland's Anton Lundell scores six seconds later. He puts in a rebound of his own shot. Finland 6, USA 2

USA score: Ryan Leonard scores on power play

The Capitals forward scores on a rebound to cut into Finland's lead. USA has plenty of time left on the second power play. Finland 5, USA 2

USA has two-man advantage

USA gets a chance with Finland taking roughing and delay of game penalties.

Third period underway

5-1 Finland.

Canada-Denmark score

In the other 10:20 a.m. game, Canada and Denmark are scoreless. That game is significant because Denmark stunned Canada in last year's quarterfinals.

End of second period: Finland 5, USA 1

Finland scores two goals in the first two minutes of the second period and Joseph Woll is pulled. Devin Cooley looked steady for the rest of the period. The USA had several chances in the period but can't get the puck past Justus Annunen. Shots are 17-14 Finland.

Finland goes on power play

Ryan Lindgren is called for cross-checking. USA has a couple short-handed chances and penalty is killed.

USA misses opportunity

Danny Nelson shoots wide of a wide-open net.

Finland goes on power play

Sam Lafferty is called for high sticking. The USA kills the penalty.

USA makes goalie change

Devin Cooley, who played in Sunday's win, comes in for Joseph Woll. The Maple Leafs goalie gave five goals on 11 shots.

Finland score: Finns chase Joseph Woll

Saku Maenalanen scores on a deflection in front. Two goals in 31 seconds. Coach Don Granato pulls Joseph Woll. Finland 5, USA 1

Finland score: Finns score on power play

Lenni Hameenaho gets his second goal of the game, this time on a one-timer on the power play. Finland 4, USA 1

Second period underway

3-1 Finland. Finns are on a power play. Joseph Woll still in the USA net.

End of first period: Finland 3, USA 1

Excellent start for Finland and not so good for Joseph Woll and Ryan Leonard. Woll gives up three goals on eight shots. Leonard's turnover led to the first Finland goal and he also took two penalties, one negating a U.S. power play.

Finland goes on power play

Ryan Leonard is called for tripping with 23 seconds left in the period. That's his second penalty of the game. The USA gets a short-handed chance before time expires in the period and the rest of the penalty will carry over to the second period.

Finland score: Aatu Raty adds to Finland lead

Aatu Raty enters the zone with speed and beats a screened Joseph Woll through the legs. Finland 3, USA 1

USA goes on power play

Henri Jokiharju is called for slashing but the USA's Ryan Leonard takes a tripping penalty 34 seconds later so it's 4-on-4. Tough game so far for Leonard.

Finland score: Finns reply quickly to USA goal

Finland's Patrik Puistola beats Joseph Woll glove side 61 seconds after the USA had tied the game. Woll also gave up two first-period goals in the loss to Switzerland. Finland 2, USA 1

USA score: Matt Coronato ties game

Oliver Moore makes a perfect feed to Matt Coronato for a one-timer. USA 1, Finland 1

Finland score: Finns open scoring after turnover

Lenni Hameenaho skates in and beats Joseph Woll after the USA's Ryan Leonard loses the puck. Leonard appeared to try to hit Hameenaho before the turnover. Finland 1, USA 0

Game underway

USA's Joseph Woll vs. Finland's Justus Annunen in net

USA vs. Finland: How to watch, stream world championships

• Date: Monday, May 18
• Time: 10:20 a.m. ET
• Location: Swiss Life Arena, Zurich, Switzerland
• TV: NHL Network
• Streaming: Fubo and certain tiers of Sling carry NHL Network.

USA world championships schedule

All times ET

• May 15: Switzerland 3, USA 1
• May 17: USA 5, Great Britain 1
• May 18: Finland 6, USA 2
• May 20: vs. Germany, 2:20 p.m.
• May 23: vs. Latvia, 6:20 a.m.
• May 25: vs. Hungary, 10:20 a.m.
• May 26: vs. Austria, 10:20 a.m.

USA's projected lines

Monday's world championships games

All times ET

• Finland 6, USA 2
• Canada 5, Denmark 1
• Germany vs. Switzerland, 2:20 p.m.
• Sweden vs. Czechia, 2:20 p.m.

At last year's tournament, Denmark stunned Canada in the quarterfinals. Sidney Crosby had four assists in the third period to lead Canada's win in 2026.

USA leading scorers

Paul Cotter (Devils) and Mathieu Olivier (Blue Jackets) each has three points (one goal, two assists). Former Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard has two goals.

Finland leading scorers

Former NHL player Jesse Puljujarvi leads the tournament in scoring with five points (three goals, two assists). Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has three assists in his first action since ACL surgery in training camp.