By: Sportsline International | May 18, 2025
In a move that is already generating buzz among sports fans and documentary enthusiasts alike, Netflix has officially announced the release of a new original documentary chronicling the 2025 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (WJHC). The tournament, which took place from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025, featured one of the most thrilling finales in recent memory as Team USA edged Finland 4–3 in a heart-stopping overtime win to clinch its second consecutive gold medal.
Titled “Overtime: The Battle for Gold,” the documentary is set to premiere globally on June 20, 2025, and promises exclusive behind-the-scenes access, emotional player stories, and never-before-seen footage from the locker rooms, team buses, and ice rinks of host cities Gothenburg and Malmö, Sweden.
A Championship Worth Documenting
The 2025 WJHC was hailed by many as one of the most competitive and emotionally charged tournaments in the event’s 49-year history. The tournament featured 10 of the top hockey nations, including traditional powerhouses like Canada, Sweden, Russia (under a neutral designation due to ongoing sanctions), Finland, and the United States.
But it was the gold medal showdown between Team USA and Finland that captivated global audiences. After trailing 2–0 early in the first period, the Americans mounted a fierce comeback, led by captain Luke D’Amico and star goaltender Carter Green, to even the score. The game was tied 3–3 at the end of regulation. Then, just three minutes into sudden death overtime, American winger Tyson Keller buried a top-shelf shot off a beautiful cross-ice feed from defenseman Mikko Larsson, sealing the win and igniting a celebration that resonated from Sweden to Seattle.
“Overtime”: What to Expect
According to a statement released by Netflix, “Overtime” is not merely a recap of the scores and highlights. Directed by acclaimed sports documentarian Elena Rasmussen, who previously helmed the Emmy-winning “Inside the Boards: The Story of the Women’s Olympic Hockey Team”, the film takes a human-centered approach.
“This isn’t just about hockey—it’s about grit, heartbreak, national pride, and redemption,” said Rasmussen in a press release. “We follow players who had everything to prove, coaches under pressure, and families watching from half a world away. And then there’s the gold medal game—it was pure cinematic drama.”
The documentary includes:
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On-ice mic’d-up segments during critical moments, including the OT goal and final whistle.
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Interviews with key players, including Team USA’s Keller, Green, and D’Amico, as well as Finland’s Teemu Laaksonen and goaltender Kalle Rautiainen.
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Exclusive access to team meetings, including the now-famous “One More Shift” pep talk delivered by USA head coach Brent Morano before the third period of the gold medal game.
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Reflections from NHL scouts and executives, many of whom believe the 2025 WJHC will go down as the most talent-rich junior tournament of the decade.
The Road to Gold
Team USA entered the tournament as defending champions, having claimed gold in 2024 after defeating Canada. Expectations were high, but few predicted that this year’s squad—featuring 11 returning players—would go undefeated in regulation. The Americans topped Group A with dominant wins over Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland, before a nail-biting 3–2 semifinal win against host Sweden.
The Finns, meanwhile, emerged as a tournament dark horse. Despite an early 5–4 overtime loss to Canada, they shocked the hockey world by knocking out Canada in the semifinals with a disciplined 2–1 performance marked by stellar goaltending and disciplined defensive play.
By the time the puck dropped for the gold medal match at Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, the stage was set for a classic.
“That was the fastest, most intense junior game I’ve ever played,” said Keller in the documentary trailer. “It wasn’t just hockey—it was survival.”
Global Appeal and NHL Implications
The 2025 WJHC was broadcast in over 90 countries and streamed to record-breaking audiences in North America and Europe. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called the final “a showcase of the league’s future,” with over 40 players expected to be drafted in the top two rounds of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
In particular, Carter Green—whose calm, agile goaltending earned him tournament MVP honors—has already drawn comparisons to American legends like Jonathan Quick and Ryan Miller. Tyson Keller, whose overtime winner is now etched in junior hockey lore, is projected to go top-three in this summer’s draft.
“Overtime” will also explore the emotional journey of Finnish captain Teemu Laaksonen, who scored twice in the final game and was seen tearfully consoling teammates after the overtime loss. Laaksonen’s journey, marked by personal challenges off the ice, provides one of the documentary’s most moving storylines.
Hockey Canada and the Missing Medal
One noticeable absence from the gold medal game was perennial powerhouse Canada, which failed to medal for the first time since 2019. The documentary dedicates a segment to the Canadian team’s struggles, including internal pressures, criticism from media, and the weight of public expectation.
Though the team featured NHL-ready talent, analysts cited a lack of chemistry and undisciplined penalties as key factors in their quarterfinal exit at the hands of Finland. “Overtime” doesn’t shy away from this disappointment, offering candid interviews with Canadian coach Jean-François Drouin and captain Nolan Gauthier.
Fans React to Netflix Announcement
News of the documentary’s release has already sparked anticipation across social media.
“Take my subscription money now,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “That gold medal game was better than any NHL playoff I’ve seen in years.”
Another user added, “If the doc captures even half the drama of that OT win, it’ll be a masterpiece.”
A Must-Watch for Sports Fans
For Netflix, “Overtime” marks another strategic expansion into the sports documentary genre, following the success of series like Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Break Point. But for hockey fans, this is more than just content—it’s a time capsule of a championship that was as exhilarating as it was emotional.
Whether you’re a die-hard puckhead, a casual viewer, or someone who loves stories of resilience and triumph, “Overtime: The Battle for Gold” promises to deliver.
“The 2025 World Juniors gave us a final that will be remembered for decades,” said Rasmussen. “We’ve done our best to capture the spirit, the sweat, and the story behind the scoreboard.”
“Overtime: The Battle for Gold” will be available for streaming worldwide on Netflix starting June 20, 2025.
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