2021 WJC: Three Storylines to watch unfold during Semi-Final games

2. Revenge Game

Team USA Vs. Finland (9:30 p.m. ET)

This is the ultimate revenge game between two heavyweights.

Finland beat Team USA in the Gold Medal game at this tournament two years ago with New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:26 remaining.

Then, to make matters worst, Finland proved to be a nightmare for the Americans again last year after blanking them in the Quarter-Finals and preventing them from winning a fifth straight Medal.

As a result, Team USA will be all out for revenge tonight and they haven’t lost a game since dropping their opening contest of the tournament to Russia on Christmas Day.

They have got better the longer the 2021 WJC has gone on, securing their place in the Semi-Finals after beating Slovakia 5-2, and their explosive offense is spearheaded by Anaheim Ducks prospect Trevor Zegras, who leads the entire tournament in points with 15 (6 G, 9 A).

Florida Panthers stud Spencer Knight will be a key player for Team USA given that he has two shutouts with a 1.70 Goals Against Average, as will the likes of Bobby Brink and Matthew Boldy who have both provided depth scoring for the Americans.

Finland will be dangerous, however, and Florida Panthers prospect Anton Lundell has been a shining star during the 2021 WJC so far, leading his country in points with seven (4 G, 3 A) in five games.

They’ve also had the measure of Team USA over the last few years so they will be confident heading into tonight’s game, while Finland will also fancy their chances of winning Gold again after coming out on top in 2019.

Watch out for Special Teams too with Team USA boasting the best power play percentage in the tournament having gone 8-for-19 (42.11%), while Finland are 16-for-19 on the PK (84.21%) so whoever executes on Special Teams tonight could well come out on top.