2026 U-18 World Championship: Upsets higlight top standouts from quarterfinals
If you like drama, you got your fair share of it today at the IIHF U-18 Men’s World Championship in Slovakia.
Czechia, Latvia, Slovakia and Sweden are the four teams moving on to Friday’s semifinal action, defeating Finland, USA, Denmark and Canada in the four quarterfinal games, respectively.
The Czechs got outshot by the Finns, but advanced to the semifinal on the heels of an excellent goaltending performance from Martin Psohlavec. Canada, meanwhile, had its gold medal streak snapped thanks to Sweden’s 4-2 victory. Slovakia’s hot tournament continued on home ice, easily dismantling Slovakia 7-1 in a game that was never remotely close.
The craziest story, though, was Latvia’s shocking win over the United States. Latvia had never beaten the Americans prior to today, but they never trailed in an eventual 5-2 win this evening.
The relegation game kicked off the day, with Germany and Norway meeting in a winner-takes-all, single-game elimination fight. The Norwegians scored twice to take a nice lead, but Germany ended up scoring three straight to make it 3-2 with about five minutes to go. But the Germans took two penalties late in the game, allowing Niklas Aaram-Olsen the ability to complete the reverse comeback with a hat-trick to win the game 4-3. Germany will be replaced by Switzerland in 2027, while Norway will stay in the top division for a fifth consecutive year.
Here’s a look at the top performers from the four quarterfinal games:
Czechia 2, Finland 1
The Czechs were the first team to qualify for the semifinal after beating Finland 2-1 on Wednesday.
Czechia is still searching for its first gold medal in tournament history. The team’s last medal – a silver – came back in 2014.
Czechia was not expected to go deep in this tournament, with many of its fans expecting a tough showing in Slovakia. Instead, the Czechs have cruised through the tournament, having allowed more than two goals just once – coming in the loss to Germany.
Adam Klaus and Tadeas Cifka scored the goals for Czechia, while Paavo Fugleberg had the lone marker for the Finns.
Czechia
#1 Martin Psohlavec, G: Psohlavec made 35 saves in this one, including 16 in the second period and all 12 in the third. He had to be spectacular as the Finns fought for their lives, but Psohlavec was absolutely dialed in. The 6-foot-5 keeper is the 17th-ranked European-based goaltender, according to NHL Central Scouting. Despite that, he has put up some remarkable numbers all season, including eight shutouts at the Czech U-20 level and a 3-0-0 record at this tournament.
#20 Dominik Ripa, RW: Ripa has been my favorite Czech player this tournament, no question about it. He had a pair of assists today, and it felt like he was the premier play-driver in this game. I love his confidence and puck decision-making because he consistently finds ways to get it where it needs to be. His draft stock has definitely risen over the past week.
#23 Adam Klaus, LW: With a goal and an assist, Klaus came away with his best performance of the tournament. He was buzzing through open ice, showing a high degree of confidence with the puck every time he entered the zone. He plays with a ton of pace, and while he’s undersized, he still does a good job getting the puck into scoring lanes. The QMJHL forward is unlikely to get drafted this year, but a performance like this will still impress scouts.
#26 Josef Holejšovský, RW: Holejšovský isn’t big, but he plays with so much energy. He’s not overly productive either, but he had three shots in the second period and outworked just about everyone today. NHL teams have shown some interest in him as a late-round pick because he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win a shift. It was nice to see him show a bit of skill today, too.
Finland
#10 Anttoni Uronen, C: Uronen was one of Finland’s top driving forces today. I’ve liked his tournament as a whole, even if the offense hasn’t been plentiful. I feel like he has added another level to his skating since the first time I watched him at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. I also feel like he makes faster decisions under pressure, even if that’s still a work in progress. I think he’s detailed enough to be tough to play against at this level, partly because of his pro experience in Liiga this year.
#13 Oliver Suvanto, C: It was a good game for Suvanto, who, for the most part, has been a bit underwhelming in Slovakia. Suvanto was the catalyst for the 1-1 goal today, using his big frame to get the puck loose to create the goal. Suvanto is a tough forward to contain because of his big frame and his strong two-way play. I’d like to see him create more high-quality scoring chances around the net, but he at least has the awareness to get himself into position to help out in any way possible.
Canada 2, Sweden 4
Canada’s gold medal streak won’t stretch to three years after losing 4-2 to Sweden on Wednesday.
With the loss, Canada has failed to win gold in both major U-18 competitions – including the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August – in which they participated in for the first time since 2019. Canada took home bronze at the Hlinka to end a three-year gold streak at that event.
Sweden, meanwhile, will have a chance to win a medal for the eighth straight tournament after taking home silver in Frisco, Texas last year. The Swedes took home gold for the first time in 2019, and doubled it up in Germany in 2022.
Canada never led the game against Sweden, falling 2-0 early before battling back and tying the game in the second period. A pair of goals from Nils Bartholdsson in the third period ultimately sunk Canada, which last failed to register for the quarterfinal in 2022.
Canada
#11 Tynan Lawrence, C: I haven’t loved Lawrence’s tournament by any means, but this felt like a more impactful effort today. His assist on the 2-2 goal was pretty – and it’s something we’ve become accustomed to seeing from him. Lawrence played some of his best hockey in the second half as the Swedes started to panic with the puck, giving him the chance to win some battles.
#14 Mathis Preston, RW: Preston has been Canada’s top player over the past week, and I’m not sure it’s close. The Vancouver Giants star has shown his playmaking chops game after game, and made an outstanding pass that led to the 2-1 goal. Preston is just so smart and skilled, and he has the ability to flip the game on a dime.
#26 Maddox Dagenais, RW: This was Dagenais’ best performance of the tournament. He scored Canada’s first goal, and then did the dirty work along the boards to make it 2-2. He battles hard, and when he wants to really move, he can groove. But today, it was definitely his physical play that took the cake today, especially as the game got tighter and time ticked down.
Sweden
#1 Kevin Törnblom, G (2027): Törnblom had to be busy in the latter stages of this one, and he delivered. This tournament was a bit of a mixed bag for him, but he did a good job of controlling rebounds and getting the puck out of danger. I didn’t find him scrambling like he had done so in other games. Törnblom’s numbers have been iffy across all levels this year, but this was definitely a solid effort.
#2 Axel Elofsson, D: I didn’t like the start of the tournament for Elofsson, but he has regained my interest over the past two games. He’s an undersized, yet skilled forward who does an excellent job of getting the puck towards the net, especially on the power play. He assisted on the 1-0 goal, and then broke up a play at the other end on the next shift. Elofsson is an impressive puck-moving blueliner, but he got caught trying to do a bit too much early on – or, in some cases, far too little. The past two games have seen him play much more effectively.
#4 Malte Gustafsson, D: Gustafsson probably wishes he’d have that second goal back. But other than that, he did an excellent job of forcing the speedy Canadians. He played nearly 19 minutes over the first two periods – the coaching staff clearly valued his shutdown abilities. I feel like this tournament was a positive one for Gustafsson’s draft stock, because it showed he could be calm and collected under pressure. Gustafsson had a secondary assist on the game-winning goal, for good measure.
#11 Alexander Command, C: Command had yet another outstanding effort today. He had three shots in the first period, and then scored a goal that was later taken back. Command helped create the play that led to the 3-2 goal, too. He’s a strong two-way player, and while he left without a point today, I’d argue he was one of Sweden’s most important forwards.
#14 Nils Bartholdsson, RW: The most important, though, might have been Bartholdsson. He scored the game-winner on the power play, and then tallied an empty-netter for good measure. It was a long-time coming, given how often Bartholdsson found himself in scoring lanes today. What a big moment for the winger.
Latvia 5, USA 2
The Americans have failed to win gold for the third consecutive year, and won’t take home a medal of any kind for the first time since 2021, after falling 5-2 to Latvia in the quarterfinal on Wednesday.
It marked the first time Latvia has ever beaten the United States at this level, and just the first time the Latvians have ever qualified out of the round of eight. The Americans entered the game with a perfect 8-0 record against Latvia, outscoring them 59-11 all-time.
Martins Klaucans scored his first of two goals in the first period, while Ricards Rutkis added a power-play tally in the second. Lukas Zajic gave the Americans some life at 48:39, while Victor Plante added a goal at 56:34. But a second goal from Klaucans, as well as one from Magnuss Avotins, ultimately allowed Latvia to pull off one of the biggest upsets this tournament has ever seen.
Latvia
#30 Patriks Plumins, G: What a game for Plumins – the best of his life. He made 43 saves in this one, allowing just one goal at even strength. The potential late-round pick has been solid at this event, often showcasing his quick leg work and stout puck-tracking. I also like that he never really overreacts to shots, which can often happen in a game when a goalie’s getting pummeled in their own end.
#8 Martins Klaucans, RW: Klaucans had himself a day to remember. The potential late-round prospect has been excellent at this tournament, but his two goals today really helped seal the deal. He’s a hard-working goal-scorer who didn’t get to prove that often in the QMJHL this year. But at this stage, he has thrived from start to finish. We’ll see if he has done enough to warrant a draft selection. Regardless, he’s extremely important on this team.
#9 Ričards Rutkis, RW: Rutkis has been a decent bottom-six forward for the Latvians today, and this was his best effort by far. He finished with a goal and an assist, marking his first points in IIHF competition. I like his speed, and it was only a matter of time until he finally converted on his release. He’s good with the puck, and while it might not be enough to get him drafted, scouts noticed him today.
#14 Olivers Murnieks, C: Once viewed as a first-round prospect, Murnieks is winning back the hearts of everyone who doubted him (myself included). He had a pair of assists today and has legitimately been one of the most impactful players, regardless of team. He makes so many smart passes, and he’s a wizard in the faceoff dot, too. Murnieks deserves love for his two-way game, and he’s a play-driver on a team like Latvia. Without him, the Latvians would have struggled to even make the playoffs.
USA
#8 Dayne Beuker, C: This was a coming-out tournament for Beueker, who was one of USA’s best players all tournament long. He finished with a point-per-game average but was also one of the better backcheckers. He forced his way into a top-line role and played quite well today – it was surprising he didn’t score. Beuker is an excellent playmaker, but he also plays with a ton of energy and boasts some of the best hockey sense on the USNTDP squad.
#26 Victor Plante, LW: Plante saved his best two games for last – even if it didn’t ultimately result in a chance at a medal. The playmaking forward scored USA’s second goal to give them some life after repeated chances in close. It felt like he was bound to get one, given he was a shot generation machine early on. Plante’s tournament was average at best, but he was at least noticeable today.
Denmark 1, Slovakia 7
Slovakia pulled off the only blowout of the quarterfinal, easily beating Denmark 7-1 to close out Wednesday’s action.
Slovakia has advanced to the final four for the fourth straight year, which is impressive given that they spent the 2022 tournament fighting their way back to the top division.
Slovakia scored four goals before the first period had reached the halfway point. Jakub Floris, Ivan Matta, Tomas Selic and Timothy Kazda scored a goal each to seemingly put the game out of reach, but Denmark would score on their first shot of the game. at13:18. It didn’t do much to change. the course of the game, though, as Samuel Karsay, Simon Potocka, and Kazda again would all score to make it 7-1.
Denmark
#24 Noah Hulsig, LW (2027): If your team is only going to get a single shot in the first period, you might as well make it count. Husig made a great play to give the Danes something to cheer about. He’s a small but energetic forward who forced himself into a top-six role and generally impressed, even if he only had two goals in five games. He spent the majority of the year playing against men, which is impressive.
Slovakia
#23 Oliver Botka, D (2027): I hadn’t seen much of Botka’s game before this tournament, but count me in as a fan. The 17-year-old put up good numbers against U-20 competition this season, and he has looked like one of the most mature options on the Slovak blueline. He makes smart, calculated decisions with the puck while eating a ton of ice time. I think Adam Goljer has been better at this event, but Botka is a close second among defensive performances on Slovakia.
#10 Ivan Matta: LW: Matta has gotten better with every passing game. He had a goal and an assist in this one while handling first-line duties. He’s a hard-working forward who does a solid job of battling around the crease and has quick hands, too. I thought he was one of the more impactful players in the first period, and I don’t blame the Slovaks for resting their top line more as the game wore on.
#19 Timothy Kazda, RW (2027): Kazda has been truly remarkable at this tournament. He had two goals and two assists in this one as the Slovaks quickly put this game out of reach. He’s so confident and smart, and is definitely the most skilled forward on this Slovak team. I expect him to go early in the 2027 NHL Draft – he’s just so dangerous in 1-on-1 situations and can beat just about anyone at this level.
#24 Tomáš Selič, RW: Selič had a pair of points in this one to give him four through five games. He’s a mature forward who plays an aggressive game. He doesn’t care if you’re in his way because he’ll use his 6-foot-3 frame to power past you. Selič is a capable playmaker who is also a nuisance in transition. I’ve liked him on the fourth line.
2026 IIHF U-18 World Championship Playoff Schedule
Semifinals (Friday, May 1)
9:00 AM ET: Slovakia vs. Latvia
1:00 PM ET: Czechia vs. Sweden
Finals (Saturday, May 2)
9:00 AM ET: Bronze Medal Game
1:00 PM ET: Gold Medal Game