IIHF U18 Semifinals & Relegation Update: USA VS. Sweden For Gold

The Americans are back in the U18 Gold Medal Game for the 2nd straight year as the Americans had their 2nd straight shutout by outscoring the Swedes and the Czechs in the QFS & SFS by a combined score of 11-0.

This is Jack Campbell's 2nd straight shutout and 3rd overall going back to the Canada Game where the Americans won that game 5-0 as well. On the Offense side of the puck as Nick Shore had another 3 points in the Game (2G 1A) while other players like Nieto and Tinordi also scored to put the Fins out of the game as the Americans had a balanced attack throughout the game.

Sweden is back in the U18 Gold Medal Game for the first time since 1999 as the Swedes scored twice in the third period to turn what was a close hard fought game into a decisive affair. If Sweden can beat the USA, it will mark a huge milestone as the Swedes have been looking to dramatically improve the Swedish Junior Program after several close calls which have included a pair of WJC Silver Medals plus an U18 Bronze Medal back in 2008.

Can Sweden find a way to get through what's been a rock hard defense for the Americans as the Americans haven't given up a single goal in the Knockout Rounds? Or will the USA successfully defend the U18 World Championships and win their 3rd straight major Junior Gold Medal which includes the last U18 World Titles and the WJC Gold back in Jan.

With Canada's win over Latvia today, this will send Latvia and Belarus down to the U18 Division 1 Tournament for 2011 as both Canada & Slovakia are both 2-0 in the Relegation Round. Canada & Slovakia will play for 7th place, while Latvia & Belarus will play for pride in their final games tomorrow.

From the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

Semifinal #1: Finland 0 U.S.A. 5 (0-1, 0-2, 0-2)

Finland VS. U.S.A. Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures/page/0/game/FIN%20-%20USA%20%28SF%29.html

In Minsk, Belarus: The United States have earned the chance to defend its U18 World Championship gold Medal after earning a 5-0 win against Finland in today's Semifinal. Nick Shore scored twice and Jack Campbell was in net for his 2nd straight shutout of the playoff round.

The Americans have skated in the Gold Medal Game 6 of the last 7 years and in total has 4 gold medals to their credit at the U18 Worlds, including last year's which came against Russia. For the Finns, the loss sends them to their 2nd straight Bronze Medal game, which they won last year against Canada.

Shore kicked off the scoring with the only goal of the 1st period to give the Americans an early 1-0 lead just over 5 minutes into action. The lead was doubled when Matt Nieto streaked down the wing and put in a backhander 6:19 into the 2nd period.

The Tempo continued to pick up as the game whore on and the game had a good flow and end to end action. The Americans went on the power play late in the 2nd period and spent the entire time camped out in front of the Finnish net, but couldn't get the 3-0 goal. But Adam Clendening made up for the lack of power play out-put when he in a perfect wrist shot just as time expired. It was such a close call that the goal could only be confirmed after a lengthy video review.

Despite getting out-shot more then two-to-one in the first 40 minutes, the Finns kept kept the Americans on edge with their fighting spirit. It was only when Nick Shore put in the 4-0 goal midway through the third period that the Finns were visibly deflated. Just over a minute later Jared Tinordi made the American Berth in the Gold Medal Game crystal clear with the 5-0 closing goal.

USA now awaits the winner of tonight's Russia VS. Sweden semi-final. The Last time Sweden skated in the Gold Medal Game at the U18 Worlds was in its inaugural year in 1999. At the other end of the spectrum, Russia is looking for it's 8th straight Gold Medal Game Appearance.


Semifinal #2: Sweden 3 Russia 1 (1-1, 0-0, 2-0)

Sweden VS. Russia Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures/page/0/game/SWE%20-%20RUS%20%28SF%29.html

In Minsk, Belarus: Sweden will skate in the gold Medal Game for the first time since 1999 after earning a 3-1 win against Russia in a hard fought semi-final.

It is only the 2nd ever trip to the Golden Game, and the country is still looking for it's first ever Gold Medal at this event. It is Russia's first appearance in the Bronze Medal Game since 2003.

It was a completely different game from the speedy, skilled first semifinal between the USA & Finland. Instead, the Large Swedes and Russian treated the full Palace of Sport to a physical duel.

Sweden came out hard in the first five minutes, peppering Russian Goalie Andrei Vasilevski. But it was the Russian who struck first on their first power play chance when Vladislav Kartayev forced the puck in past Swedish Goaltender Johan Gustafsson. Sweden responded with a power play goal of its own when Ludvig Rensfeldt tied the game at one mid-point.

The Swedes persistence finally paid off 8:32 into the third period when Adam Larsson and ripped in a shot from above the faceoff circle during a Swedish Power Play. Less then a minute later Mattias Granlund sealed the win with a deflected shot that bounced off virtually everything in sight before squeezing into the goal.

With the 3-1 lead, Sweden controlled the rest of the game as Russia had no chance to mount a counter attack and try for a comeback. A little melee with 3 seconds left showed the Russian Frustration at missing the Golden Game.

Sweden will take on the defending champion USA in the Gold Medal Game on Friday. Sweden beat the USA in the preliminary round, 4-2. Meanwhile Russia will skate for the Bronze Medal against Finland tomorrow. Tomorrow's only playoff game is the fifth place game between Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

Relegation Round: Canada 5 Latvia 1 (2-0, 1-1, 2-0)

Canada VS. Latvia Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures/page/0/game/CAN%20-%20LAT.html

In Bobruisk, Belarus: Canada did what it had to do stay up in the Top Division at the World U18 Championship, earning a 5-1 win against Latvia.

With six points, both Canada & Slovakia will return to the top level for next year, while Latvia and Belarus will move down to Division 1 for next season. There is still one day left of action left in Bobruisk tomorrow as Canada will take on Slovakia, while Latvia will face the Belarus in what are now merely placement games.

It wasn't necessarily a convincing win for the Canadians as a quick two goals coming less then a minute apart as the offense they generated against the the out-matched Latvians in the first period. In the 2nd, the Canada Offense sputtered, putting just one additional goal at the 6:11 mark of the period to make it a comfortable, yet slim 3-0 advantage.

Latvia got on the board with 18 seconds left in the 2nd period with a power-play marker to cut the Canadian Lead to two at the break. Canada found a way to pull away with two final goals, included a 2nd marker from Jordan Weal to make it a 5-1 win.

IIHF U18 World Championship Update

With the Playoffs and Relegation Rounds getting underway tomorrow. Here's a look at how the rest of the Group Stage went as I was out of town this weekend and unable for the most part to keep an update on the tournament.

For more info on this event and other International Hockey News, log on to www.iihf.com

There's tons of pictures from this event. You can either go through the regular, or you can select from ind. teams & games from this year's U18 World Championship.

www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures.html

Sweden & Finland Semifinal Bound

With the Northern European Powers winning the groups. Their looking to bring home the first U18 Gold Medal to Scandinavia for the first time since 2000 when the Finns won back-to-back Gold's in 1999 and 2000 when the IIHF First started this tournament. Sweden has never won this event in this history and haven't medaled since 2007 when they won Bronze when the Tournament in Finland.

Finland sweeped Group B with a 7-2 win over Latvia, 5-2 win over Slovakia, a huge 5-4 win over Russia that basically decided the Group and marked the return to possible greatness for the Finnish Junior Program after taking a bit of a dip the last few years, including being in the relegation round when they hosted the tournament back in 2007.

To finish the Group Stage, all they needed was a point to claim Group A and a 4-3 OT Win over the Czech Republic did that. The Finns finished with an impressive 11 out of a possible 12 points and are looking dangerous to win their first World Junior Gold Medal since they won the 2000 U18 World Championship.

Sweden had a similar run where a comeback win against the USA helped them go to a perfect Group Stage with a big 7-0 win against Belarus where a huge 2nd period with 5 goals blew the game wide open. The Swedes continued to score big time with a 10-2 win over Switzerland where 4 goals in both the 2nd & 3rd period ended the Swiss Hopes of another upset after the Swiss upset Canada on opening day.

Finally against Canada, Sweden did the unthinkable as in addition to winning the group, they sent Canada down the relegation round after the Canadians who have a repetition of underachieving in this event, beat them 5-4 despite a 4 goal 3rd period by Canada to make the end of the game interesting.

Can Sweden finally win a major Junior Event after several close calls and a big commitment to improve the Swedish Junior Program in both the League and National Team Programs? This may be their best shot yet.

Finland will be facing the USA VS. Czech Republic Winner while Sweden will face the Russia VS. Switzerland Winner in the Quarterfinals. Can the Swiss pull off another big win in the U18's like they did against Russia in the WJC earlier in the season?


USA Comes back Strong, Canada down to the Relegation Round

After the Americans opening day loss to Sweden, the Americans came back with 3 straight wins where they outscored the opposition 17-2 with big wins over Switzerland, Belarus & and a strong shutout win over Canada for them to finish 2nd in the Group Round and are looking dangerous to beat the Czech's and have a shot of successfully defending the U18 World Championship.

The Americans are looking for a strong performance in the Quarterfinals against the Czech Republic that they beat arch Rival Slovakia 4-3 and surviving a comeback attempt against Latvia 5-4. The Czechs have shown that they can be dangerous this year as they were down 2-1 midway through the 3rd period before Russia pulled away late. Also, losing in a SO to Group Winners Finland 4-3. So it may not be as easy as in recent years for the Americans.

Last year the Americans took down the Czechs 6-2 where a 4 goal 2nd period ended the Czech Hopes. So they have done well against the Czech Republic in recent years. A win tomorrow and it would be a game against Finland in Wednesday's Semifinals which should be a great showdown assuming the Americans can beat the Czechs tomorrow.

Canada on the otherhand has been bad in this tournament. Despite their history of not doing well in this event. Being in the relegation round is no excuse for the Canadians as getting upset 3-1 by Switzerland led to a huge downfall with them getting thumped by the USA 5-0 and being down 4-0 going into the 2nd intermission against Sweden. Even through a 4 goal comeback in the 3rd made things interesting, it wasn't enough to get them the win.

It would be a huge shock to see the Canadians go down to Division 1 at any tournament, but at least an 11-3 win over Belarus has them going into the Relegation Round against Latvia and Slovakia with a win and an +8 Goal Differently. Expect them to survive with ease, but you have got to think that Hockey Canada is not happy with this showing.

Canada will be playing Slovakia and Latvia in the Relegation Round as the Canadians will look to crush the Slovaks and Latvians as both teams will be looking to survive and be back for next year's World U18 Championship.

Here's links to Game Stories involving Team USA from the USA Hockey Website.

Game 1: USA VS. Sweden: www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_04_02_04&id=285548

Game 2: USA VS. Switzerland: www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_04_02_04&id=285618

Game 3: USA VS. Canada: www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_04_02_04&id=285706

Game 4: USA VS. Belarus: www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_04_02_04&id=285778


Battle for Survival between Slovakia, Latvia and Belarus

With Canada in the Relegation Round, expect the battle for survival to be a 3 horse race between Slovakia, Latvia and Belarus. The Slovaks find themselves in the best position as they have a win over Latvia and a win over Belarus who's basically been a no show exception for the game against Switzerland where they lost 3-2.

Latvia may be in the most trouble, despite being able to play well against the Czech Republic, they will have to face Canada on Wednesday. Then face Belarus to end the Relegation Round on Thursday Night, but by then, if Slovakia and Canada win their games. It would be basically for pride and to determine 9th and 10th so the game would mean nothing at all towards who would stay up and who would fall to Division 1 for 2011.

The Division 1 Tournaments just wrapped up over the weekend and the two teams that will be getting promoted will be Norway & Germany for next season.

Here's a look at the Final Group Stage Standings. Also the Playoff & Relegation Round Matchups.

Group Stage Standings

Group A

1. Sweden 4-0-0-0 12 PTS 26-8

2. U.S.A. 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 19-6

3. Switzerland 2-0-0-2 6 PTS 9-18

4. Canada 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 16-16

5. Belarus 0-0-0-4 0 PTS 6-28


Group B

1. Finland 3-1-0-0 11 PTS 21-11

2. Russia 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 20-7

3. Czech Rep. 2-0-1-1 7 PTS 13-15

4. Slovakia 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 10-15

5. Latvia 0-0-0-4 0 PTS 9-25


Relegation Round Standings

1. Canada 1-0-0-0 3 PTS 11-3

2. Slovakia 1-0-0-0 3 PTS 4-3

3. Latvia 0-0-0-1 0 PTS 3-4

4. Belarus 0-0-0-1 0 PTS 3-11


Relegation Round Schedule

4/15: Belarus 3 Canada 11 (1-4, 2-2, 0-5)

4/17: Slovakia 4 Latvia 3 (1-0, 2-2, 1-1)

4/20: Slovakia VS. Belarus

4/21: Canada VS. Latvia

4/22: Canada VS. Slovakia

4/22: Latvia VS. Belarus



Playoff Rounds

Quarterfinals (Tuesday)

U.S.A. VS. Czech Republic

Russia VS. Switzerland


Semifinals (Wednesday)

Finland VS. USA/Czech Rep. Winner

Sweden VS. Russia/Switzerland Winner


5th Place Game (Thursday)

Quarterfinal Losers


Medal Round (Friday)

Bronze Medal

Semifinal Losers


Gold Medal

Semifinal Winners

Upcoming International Events

With the World Junior A Challenge behind us, here's a schedule of upcoming international tournaments coming up throughout the season. Here's a look at the USA's recent history in the different tournaments.

In the World Juniors, The USA is looking to rebound after a surprising loss in the QFS against Slovakia. Everyone is going to have Canada's target after the Canadiens have won the WJC 5 years in a row dating back to the 2004-2005 season.

For the U18, the USA is the defending champions after finishing 2nd in the Group Stage, a dominating win over the Czechs in the QFS, a close win in the Semifinals against Canada. A win where they ran away from Russia in the 3rd period which lead them to a 5-0 win.

In the U18 Women's Tournament, this is the tournaments 3rd season. The Americans have won the 2 previous tournaments where they beat Canada in the Final both years.

As for the Olympics, the USA needs to redem themselves after winning just 1 game against Kazakhstan in the group stage. Other then that, a tie against Latvia was the only other level of success they had in Italy in 2006.

The Women's team is looking to come back after finishing with the Bronze Medal in 2006 after a SO Loss against Sweden in the Semifinals ended their chances to win gold against Canada.

World Junior Championship (U20)

December 26 thru Janarury 5 2010 in Saskatoon and Regina Saskatchewan Canada.

Teams in the Tournament: Canada, Sweden, Slovakia, Russia, U.S.A., Czech Republic, Latvia, Finland, Switzerland, Austria


2010 Olympic Mens and Women's Hockey Tournaments

Men's Tournament

Feb 16 thru 28 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Teams in the Tournament: Canada, Russia, Sweden, U.S.A., Czech Republic, Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Belarus, Norway, Latvia, Germany

Women's Tournament

Feb 13 thru 25 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Teams in the Tournament: Canada, U.S.A., Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Russia, Slovakia, China


2010 World Hockey Championships

May 7-23 in Cologne, Mannheim and Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Teams in the Tournament: Russia, Canada, Sweden, Finland, U.S.A., Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belarus, Slovenia, Latvia, Norway, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Kazakhstan


2010 U18 World Championships

April 13-23 In Minsk and Bobruisk, Belarus

Teams in the Tournament: U.S.A., Russia, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belarus, Latvia


2010 U18 Women's World Championship

March 27-April 3 in Chicago, Illinois USA

Teams in the Tournament: U.S.A., Canada, Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Japan, Russia