Julius Miettinen doesn’t have to be reminded of what happened a year ago. Or the year before that. Or the year before that. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound power forward from Finland scored a key goal in the third period on Dec. 29, 2024, when the Finns knocked off the United States, 4-3, in overtime in G roup A play at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He was there a week later, too, when his Finnish team built a 3-1 lead against the U.S. in the gold medal game, only to see the Americans tie the score in the second period, then win the game and the gold medal on Teddy Stiga’s goal in overtime. “After last year, the guys have wanted revenge, and this is the perfect timing for it,” Miettinen said with a smile after Finland lost to Canada 7-4 in the final game of Group B play on Wednesday night at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The loss to Canada set up a rematch that neither Finland nor the U.S. expected to happen in the 2026 World Junior Championship quarterfinals. But Finland finished third in Group B, behind Canada and Czechia. The U.S. finished second in Group A after a 6-3 loss to Sweden on Wednesday. That means the rivals will meet in the quarterfinals at 5 p.m. Friday at Grand Casino Arena. “They’ll have the home crowd; everyone’s against us,” Miettinen said. “So, we have to go show everyone why we’re the best team here.” Friday will mark the fourth consecutive year that the U.S. and Finland have met in a big spot in the World Juniors. Last year, it was the gold medal game. In 2024, the Americans beat Finland 3-2 in the semifinals. The U.S. went on to beat Sweden 6-2 in the gold medal game, while Finland finished out of the medals. In 2023, the U.S. blew out Finland 6-2 in Group play to win Group B, while the Finns finished second in the group. The Americans won bronze and Finland finished without a medal. So, while this year’s quarterfinal matchup isn’t the most palatable for Finland — or the U.S. — the Finns don’t have to look far for motivation. Miettinen, no relation to former Wild forward Antti Miettinen, said the Finns know they’ll have a vocal U.S. crowd pulling for the Americans to hand them another blow in a big game at Grand Casino Arena. “I can say, that gives you a lot of energy,” Miettinen said, “and we can use that energy to our advantage.” Briefly Sweden’s power play has been staggeringly good, converting on 50% of its attempts (9 for 18). … Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson was a plus-2 on Wednesday and raised his on-ice rating to a plus-7 in four games. Pettersson is signed with the Anaheim Ducks and currently plays for Brynäs IF in the SHL.  … U.S. forward and North Dakota freshman Will Zellers has five goals in four WJC games. … Switzerland is tied for first with Sweden for the fewest goals allowed in four pool play games. QUARTERFINALS All games on Friday. Sweden vs. Latvia, Grand Casino Arena, 1 p.m. Czechia vs. Switzerland, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 3:30 p.m. USA vs. Finland, Grand Casino Arena, 5 p.m. Canada vs. Slovakia, 3M Arena at Mariucci, 7:30 p.m Forum News Service reporters Madeline Warren, Brad Elliott Schlossman, and Jared Rubado also contributed to this report. Related Articles CFP quarterfinal: Top-seeded Indiana routs Alabama for first Rose Bowl victory CFP quarterfinal: Defense carries the day for Oregon in win against Texas Tech World Junior Championship quarterfinal previews Gophers lose running backs coach Jayden Everett to Wisconsin Will Koi Perich return to Gophers or hit the transfer portal? ...read more read less