Same four teams playing in the semi finals this year, just different match ups (Canada played Sweden and Slovakia played USA). Canada, which defeated Team USA in the 2024 final, is looking to become the first back-to-back gold medal winners at the World U18s since the United States accomplished the feat in 2014 and 2015.
In the first 5 minutes a few Slovak players have been injured from hits. The Slovak coach, who appears to be not old enough to even drive looked quite upset. A stretcher came out and Brady Martin may be getting a 5 minute major. The kid didn’t need the stretcher and went to the bench. Brady Martin got a 5 and a game for Interference on that hit. It was Tomas Chrenko who got hit and left (arguably their best player). Funny too Chrenko was back on the ice within minutes to join the Power Play 🤔🤔🤔 Martin is team Canada’s highest rated skater by central scouting, he is ranked 11th.
Shots in the first period were 12-10 for Canada
Xavier Villeneuve opens up the scoring for Canada with his 3rd goal of the tournament to make it a 1-0 game at 1:52 of the second period. The assist going to Niagara Ice Dogs Ethan Czata.–Villeneuve proved his standout status at the tournament, grabbing the puck after Ethan Czata’s faceoff win and swiftly firing it toward the net. The shot deflected off a Slovakian defender, slipping past the goalie to give Canada a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the second period. This marked the 10th goal by a Canadian defenceman in the event.
Shots on goal in the second period were 12-6 for Canada
Cole Reschny made it a 2-0 Canada game at 1:34 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Braeden Cootes and Keaton Verhoeff.–At 1:34 in the third period, Canada secured a faceoff win, allowing defenceman Keaton Verhoeff to pass the puck to Cole Reschny. Reschny sent it low to Braeden Cootes, who quickly returned it. Reschny, now in position, fired a one-timer high past Pradel’s glove. Verhoeff’s assist marked the 22nd point by a Canadian defenceman in the tournament.
Windsor Spitfires Jack Nesbitt made it a 3-0 Canada game on the Power Play at 6:19 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Ben Kindell and Penn State Commit Lev Katzin.–Canada struck on the powerplay again. Ben Kindell fired a slap shot to the right of Pradel, who stopped the initial shot. But the rebound right to a wide-open Jack Nesbitt, who ripped home his first of the tournament.
Ryan Roobroeck made it a 4-0 game at 18:00 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Keaton Verhoeff and Xavier Villeneuve.–At the 18-minute mark, Ryan Roobroeck scored Canada’s third powerplay goal, with Verhoeff and Xavier Villeneuve adding two more assists from the back end to make it 24 points by Canadian defenders.
Shots on goal in the third period were 15-8 for Canada. The Canadians outshot the Slovakians 39-24 in the game.
For Canada Jack Ivankovic stopped all 24 shots that he faced for the win and the shutout. For the Slovakians Michal Pradel made 35 stops on the 39 shots that he faced.
Player of the game for Canada was goalie Jack Ivankovic. For Slovakia it was Michal Pradel.
Attendance at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas was 677
Canada’s next game is the final Gold Medal Game and they will play Sweden on Saturday May 3rd
