U-18 World Championship Scouting Notebook: USA wins gold as Sweden, Canada complete podium

Apr 30, 2023, 15:53 EDTUpdated: Apr 30, 2023, 22:46 EDT

BASEL, Switzerland – The United States has gotten revenge on Sweden in the gold medal game of the U-18 World Championship, beating Sweden 3-2 in a wild comeback effort in overtime.

The Americans fell to Sweden a year ago, and looked destined to fall flat today. But after killing off a penalty early in overtime, USA got an OT goal from Ryan Leonard to close things out after trailing 2-0 early in the third period.

It was a rematch of the 2022 final, with Sweden holding supremacy both times. Both teams entered Sunday with perfect 6-0 records, with the United States scoring the most goals and proving to be the most dominant. But the Swedes played a much more disciplined game and forced the Americans to get creative, which ultimately resulted in the victory.

Earlier in the day, Canada won bronze in an overtime thriller over Slovakia. Canada led for large chunks, but the Slovaks forced Canada to play catch-up in the final minutes. Matthew Wood’s goal with 1:10 sent the game to overtime, and then Macklin Celebrini finished it off for Canada after a wild stretch of action at both ends.

After 10 days of action, here are the final standings:

1. USA
2. Sweden
3. Canada
4. Slovakia
5. Finland
6. Switzerland
7. Czechia
8. Latvia
9. Norway
10. Germany (relegated)

USA beats Sweden for gold

Elliot Stahlberg didn’t do much in Switzerland, but his goal in the first period had to be one of the biggest moments of his career. Stahlberg was in the right spot at the right time, finding the loose puck and scoring with some good energy behind the movements.
Swedish keeper Noah Erliden did an excellent job of holding off the American barrage. The Americans seemed to have difficulty getting the puck in the air, but Erliden, even with his small frame, didn’t seem to be phased by the United States’ creativity.
At the other end, Trey Augustine played his best, and most important hockey of the entire tournament. The Swedes controlled a lot of the pace and he kept strong, only allowing a tipped goal and another on a great shot through traffic.
Shoutout to the entire Swedish D-core. The Americans had more shots but very few actual dangerous chances in close. The Americans tried to get fancy a little too often, but the mix of size, mobility and hockey IQ allowed the Swedes to get the better of USA’s usually strong attack.
Danny Nelson was quiet in the first few games but really factored into the equation in the second half. His goal near the halfway point of the third helped spark some new life for the Americans.
Cole Eiserman had an unusually quiet game until the 16th minute of the third period. His 70th of the season was exactly what we’re used to seeing from him, finding a small opening through traffic to beat Erliden for the 2-2 goal.
Ryan Leonard, that overtime goal. Brilliant. One of the best forwards in the tournament, and it was fitting that he scored as part of the top line.

Canada beats Slovakia in OT thriller

Macklin Celebrini is special. The projected first overall pick in 2024 came up clutch, scoring the first goal, setting up the game-tying goal and ultimately winning it all in overtime on a breakaway. Despite being underaged, Celebrini was one of Canada’s best players all tournament long, flying all game and showing off his creativity. If anyone was going to win the game for the Canadians, it was going to be him.
But Celebrini couldn’t do it all alone. Matt Wood was his go-to setup guy, and he found Celebrini in tight for the game-winner after scoring the tying goal himself. The lone college player in the tournament, Wood came up clutch with the game-tying goal, finding a sliver of open space to retrieve the puck and fire it in. He then found Celebrini for the game-winner, capping off Wood’s best game of the medal round.
Colby Barlow also played a strong game in his second back after returning from injury. He looked much more engaged and physical today and his go-ahead goal late in the second was huge. Wood assisted that one, too.
Dalibor Dvorsky was so good all tournament long, and was the main reason Slovakia found themselves in this spot. He scored the first Slovak goal and had a few other chances, but the Canadian attackers did a good job of forcing him to the perimeter.
With 37 saves, Samuel Urban was in it to win it. There wasn’t much he could have done on the first two Canadian goals and Wood’s shot in a scramble hurt. He made some huge saves in overtime, including one where he lunged to make a diving poke check near the hash marks. He was adventurous, and it almost paid off.

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