Sweden advanced to the semi-finals of the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship with a gritty 4-2 quarterfinal win over defending champion Canada on Wednesday in Trenčín. The Tre Kronor jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead on goals from Olle Karlsson and Ludvig Andersson, only for Canada to claw its way back with second-period tallies from Maddox Dagenais and Callum Croskery. But Nils Bartholdsson — the same guy who’d burned Swedish goalie Kevin Tornblom in the domestic playoffs earlier this year — took over late, potting two goals in the third to seal it. Tornblom stood tall with 33 saves, while Canada’s Gavin Betts turned aside 22 in the loss.
Canada had looked dominant after shaking off an opening-night hiccup, posting three straight big wins and riding a marathon shutout streak into this one. But Sweden came out physical and passionate from the drop of the puck, forcing the Canadians to chase the game all night. “You have to give Sweden credit,” said Canada head coach Drew Bannister. It was a tough way for the defending champs’ three-peat bid to end, but the Swedes — now riding a seven-tournament podium streak — head into Friday’s semi against Czechia full of momentum.
Sweden makes it 1-0 when Ollie Karlsson scores at 2:09 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Adam Nomme and Axel Elofsson
Ludvig Andersson makes it a 2-0 Sweden game at 15:11 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to Adam Andersson
Shots on goal in the first period were 13-11 for the Canadians
Maddox Dagenais gets Canada within one with a nice deke at 4:04 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Mathis Preston and Jaxon Jacobsen– Canada got a goal back after a lovely piece of skill from Dagenais. Sent clear by Mathis Preston’s pass, he got up close with Tornblom and executed brilliant, looking right then left before stuffing the puck in the corner for his first of the tournament.
A goal from Sweden They disallowed the goal and I hate to admit it looked like a good goal–Sweden had the puck in the net once more, but Alexander Command’s marker was successfully challenged by Drew Bannister’s coaching staff. They spotted Marcus Nordmark wrestling Keaton Verhoeff to the ground in front of Kevin Betts’ net, forcing the goalie to take evasive action and preventing him from attempting a save.
Canada tied up the game with 1 second left in the second period. Callum Croskery made it a 2-2 game at 19:59. The assist on the goal went to Tynan Lawrence.–Then came a tying goal in the last second of the frame. Tynan Lawrence emerged with the puck after a battle behind the net and fired a pass through a crowd at the front of the net. It evaded everyone and defender Callum Croskery skated in at the back door to score. A review confirmed that his shot beat the buzzer and the teams left for the second intermission deadlocked at 2-2.
Shots on goal in the second period were 10 each
Nils Bartholdsson makes it a 3-2 Sweden game at 12:37 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Elton Hermansson and Malte Gustafsson
Sweden makes it 4-2 on the empty net when Nils Bartholdsson gets his second goal of the game at 18:29 of the third period. Unassisted.
Shots on goal in the third period were 12-5 for Canada. The Canadians outshot the Swedes 35-26 in the game.
Kevin Tornblom made 33 saves on the 35 shots that he faced for the win for the Swedes. For the Canadians Gavin Betts stopped 22 of the 25 shots that he faced.
Latvia also eliminated team USA 5-2 today. Magnus Avotnis got an assist in the game.
