Team USA held on for a massive 4-1 win over Team Canada on New Year’s Eve at Canadian Tire Centre.
Despite being outshot 39-28, the Americans used three power-play goals on seven opportunities to down their biggest rival and top Group A at the 2025 World Junior Championship.
Washington Capitals prospect Cole Hutson was again the team’s primary driver of offense from his blueline position. Hutson scored the first goal of the game 13:02 into the first period and let the host nation’s fans know by taunting them during his celebration.
After finding some space in the slot on a man advantage, Hutson rifled home a wicked wrister past goaltender Carter George. He then pretended to plug his ears after the marker silenced the previously raucous Ottawa crowd.
Hutson was also directly involved in the USA’s second goal. After Canada had tied the game 1-1 with 18:02 remaining in the third period, Hutson snuck down from his power-play quarterback position and fed Danny Nelson from behind George’s net for the eventual game-winning goal.
The USA eventually got another power-play goal from Cole Eiserman 9:01 after Nelson dented the twine.
Down 3-1 late in regulation, Canada pulled George for the extra skater. Ryan Leonard, captain and the other Capitals prospect on Team USA, jumped over the boards and intercepted a blind pass through the middle of Canada’s zone. His easy finish into an empty net was his second goal in four games.
“Beating them in their home country – I don’t think it gets much better than that,” Hutson told Elite Prospects’ Cam Robinson postgame.
Hutson’s two points in the game see him climb into a tie with Sweden’s Axel Sandin Pellikka for the tournament lead in scoring with eight points (2g, 6a). After group play, Leonard remains a point-per-game player with his four points (2g, 2a).
With the win, the USA finished first in Group A and will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Canada fell to third in the group and will play Czechia, who finished second in Group B.
All six of Washington’s prospects involved in the tournament have advanced into the knockout stages.
