Canada and USA Head Back To Gold Medal Game At U-18 Worlds

It will be a Canada versus USA final at the U-18 World Championships, but not without some drama in the semi-finals. Both teams played tight games with USA and Sweden heading into the third period tied, and Canada heading to the third with only a one goal lead over Czechia. The gap continues to close on the world's top two teams.

USA Holds Off Fast And Physical Swedes

USA took a narrow 2-1 win over Sweden's U-18 team that proved a match in speed and physicality to the Americans in this game.

“That took every player on our bench today,” said Liz Keady Norton, head coach of the 2025 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. “Sweden is a hard-working team, but we were able to grind it out.”

Sweden came out of the gate fast leading in shots 9-3 before a first period penalty shifted momentum. From there, it was all USA in the first, but they couldn't beat Maja Helge who made several big saves to keep the score knotted 0-0 after one.

In the second, USA's captain Bella Fanale collected a rebound off Mary Derrenbacher's shot on the power play to beat Helge and make it 1-0.

Sweden answered on their own power play as Lovisa Engstrom deflected a shot under the pads of American goalie Morgan Stickney to tie things. Stickey finished the game with 17 saves.

Late in the second, Fanale scored her second of the game walking into the slot before ripping a high shot to beat Helge, and make it 2-1, which is how the game would end after a scoreless third.

Canada Gets Redemption...Barely

Canada likely wanted another dominant performance like their 5-0 win over Czechia in the preliminary round, but Czechia held Canada to a much close result. Czech captain Linda Vocetkova continued her strong tournament opening the scoring in the first period, sending Canada to the intermission trailing 1-0.

Canada came out in the second with more offensive punch getting goals from Sofia Ismael, Stryker Zablocki, and Caileigh Tiller to put Canada ahead 3-1.

Czechia however, didn't roll over and allow Canada to continue their drive to gold without resistance. Julie Jebouskova found a loose puck in the slot with 34 seconds remaining in the period to pull Czechia back within one.

In the third, Hayley McDonald pushed home a push on the goal line to give Canada a 4-2 cushion.

Slovakia Stays In Top Division, Japan Relegated

In the other important game of the 2025 IIHF U-18 World Championships, Slovakia beat Japan 5-1 to remain in the top division, while relegating Japan back to Division 1A where they earned promotion from in 2024. Hungary won the Division 1A tournament and will take Japan's place at the top tournament next year.