More gold for Finland

Many had expected the group winners of the preliminary round, USA and Canada, to meet in the final in Grand Forks, North Dakota. But Finland beat USA in the first semifinal and then Sweden knocked out Canada in a shootout game.

The final was no contest. Sweden had no chance against the eastern neighbor. Eeli Tolvanen needed only 1:15 to give Finland the early lead. Otto Somppi and Eetu Tuulola also scored before the first intermission.

Jesse Puljujärvi scored his first goal of the night at 31:01 for 4-0, one minute before Lias Andersson got the only Swedish goal. Puljujärvi also scored twice in the last period to give Finland a solid 6-1 win.

This was Finland’s third ever U18 gold. They won the gold medals the first two years – 1999 and 2000. Since then only USA, Canada and Russia have managed to win the tournament. Sweden still awaits its first time.

In the bronze medal game USA embarrassed Canada with a 10-3 win. Denmark are relegated to Division 1A after losing the last game to Latvia.

Individual awards:

Best players chosen by the Directorate.

Goalie: Filip Gustavsson, Sweden
Defenceman: Adam Fox, USA
Forward: Tyson Jost, Canada

Media All-Star Team and Most Valuable Player.

Goaltender: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Finland
Defenceman: Adam Fox, USA
Defenceman: David Quenneville, Canada
Forward: Tyson Jost, Canada
Forward: Jesse Puljujärvi, Finland 
Forward: Clayton Keller, USA

MVP: Clayton Keller, USA

Tweets by @eurohockey