USA wins Gold for a ninth time at U18

The states beat the Czech Republic with a victory that was never in question 5:2

The game couldn't have started worse for the first time finalist Czech Republic as they were caught on the wrong foot when Jack Dougherty scored the first goal just 33 seconds into the game. Auston Matthews put up the score 2:0 with a little less than 7 minutes into the first period and only 46 seconds later Frank Milano had scored the 3rd goal and an early decision to the game. Jiri Smejkal then brought the Czechs on the scoreboard a first time with 34 seconds left in the period. With the start of the middle period, the States didn't stop on feeding Czech goaltender Vitek Vanecek with shots and with a little more than a minute played it was Dylan Larkin with the 4th goal for the Americas. And with Matthews scoring his second goal of the evening in the 27th minute the game now was definitely decided. The second goal for the Czechs by David Kase didn't change that.

With that, the United States won their 9th title and cements their position as number one U18 Nation. It's the 6th Gold within the past 7 years, the only Team to beat the Americans during that impressive span was Canada last year.

Canada grasps Bronze with win against Sweden

The mission to win the 4th Bronze medal for Sweden had a great start. A shorthanded goal by Henrik Törnqvist halfway through the first period gave the Swedes the lead but Brendan Perlini on a powerplay shift 3 minutes before the end of period one scored the game tying goal. Period two saw Lawson Crouse score the second goal for the Canadians. It took 16 minutes in the 3rd period when Travis Konecny got the 3rd goal for Canada and secured their 3rd Bronze at the U18 stage.

Next years World U18 Hockey Championship will take place in Switzerland.

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