Canada grabs U18 World title

29 Apr 2013 | Fredrik Pålsson

Canada beats USA in the final in Sochi. Finland wins the bronze medals.

Canada stopped USA's streak of four titles at the U18 World Championship, played in Sochi, Russia, who will host the Olympics in less than one year.

Canada managed to win the gold medal game 3-2 despite only having 12 shots on goal against USA's 35. Philippe Desroires was one of the big heroes with 33 saves in the final. “I just focused puck by puck and tried to play well for my team. Just really happy right now... this was the best experience of my life, it was my first international tournament and I’m very glad to be a part of Team Canada", he told IIHF.com after the final.

Canada took the lead in the first period but when USA turned it around to 2-1 lead in the second period it seemed like USA was going for a fifth title. But Canada turned it around again when they went up to 3-2. Frédérik Gauthier scored the gold winning goal.

Finland left the hosts Russia without medal beating them in the bronze medal game 2-1 after a game winning goal by Kasperi Kapanen.

Sweden who has been in several finals recently had a tough luck when they played USA in the quarter finals after bad first round by the US and had no chance there. Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic were also without chance in the quarter finals.

In the relegation round Slovakia sent Latvia to division 1 winning the relegations games 5-2 and 3-2.

Individually Finland's Juuse Saros was the best goalkeeper while USA Steven Santini was best defender and Canada's Connor McDavid best forward. McDavid was also the top scorer with 8 goals and 6 assists.