The Swedes did not catch Canada’s lead. The final will be overseas after 11 years Hokej.cz

Canada’s joy in the semi-final against Sweden | Photo: Ronald Hansel, Junior hockey

For the first time since 2013, the U18 World Cup finals will feature the United States and Canada. The Maple Leafs had a much tougher job in the semifinals, but they still held on to a big first-half lead against Sweden.

Canadians are not nearly as regular collectors of precious metals in their 18s as Americans. They have only played in the finals twice since 2009 and won both times – both in 2013 in Sochi and three years ago in the suburbs of Dallas.

Eleven years ago they defeated their biggest rival and they will try to do the same now.

They decided the semi-final with a fantastic start. They were leading by three goals after nine minutes, by four after the first period, and by one more in the 28th minute.

But they almost squandered a luxurious lead of 5:1! The Swedes were significantly more active in shooting from the second period on (29:14) and pushed hard. After Viggo Nordlund’s two goals (2+1), to their detriment, they did not use the five-minute overtime after Marrelli’s foul, which is why, thanks to Eklund and Orrsten, they only got within range in the 55th minute.

After that, they played with a classic numerical advantage, but they failed in it too. Thus, Tre Kronor will not add a third final participation in a row, but they can still strive for a sixth medal in a row. As favorites, they will go to the Slovaks in the fight for bronze.

The Canadians have a spicy final against the United States. Considering how dominant both teams have been since the start of the championship, this is an expected matchup. After all, more consistent performances favor the American selection, Canada intersperses fantastic passages with weaker ones at the championship.

CANADA – SWEDEN 5:4 (4:0, 1:2, 0:2)

Goals and saves: 3. Greentree (Gill, Josephson), 8. McKenna (Martone, Schaefer), 9. Iginla (Schaefer, Ritchie), 19. Ritchie (Marrelli, Iginla), 28. Mews (Desnoyers, Martone) – 24. Nordlund (Eriksson ), 29. Nordlund (Freij, Eriksson), 48. Eklund (Nordlund, Sahlin Wallenius), 55. Orrsten (Gustafsson, Hesselvall).
Referee: Wuorenheimo (Finland), Lindner–Williams (both USA), Ankerst Jerne (Denmark).
Exclusion: 4:4, plus Marrelli 5 minutes and until the end of the match – Pettersson 10 minutes.
No use.
Shots on goal: 26:35 (12:6, 7:16, 7:13).
Spectators: 2808.
The best players: Tij Iginla – Viggo Nordlund.
Canada: George – Elick, Schaefer, Mews, Marrelli, Brunicke, Aitcheson, Gill – Martone, Desnoyers, McKenna – Ritchie, Luchanko, Iginla – Massé, Josephson, Greentree – Wetsch, Beaudoin, Spence – Vanacker. Coach: MacDougall.
Sweden: Härenstam – Annborn, Sahlin Wallenius, Öhrqvist, Freij, Gustafsson, Eliasson, Wernquist – Fernström, Lindberg, Pettersson – Nordlund, Eriksson, Eklund – Hesselvall, Berglund, Ihs Wozniak – Sterner, Orrsten, Toresson. Coach: Rosen.