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TV: TSN | Stream: TSN Direct
Canada finished third in Group A after a disappointing loss against the U.S. Thursday night, missing an opportunity for a bye to the semifinals to instead meet Slovakia for the first time in the quarterfinals.
LAST GAME
Canada’s National U18 Team was served its greatest defeat ever by the Americans getting blanked 7-0. Canada is the most penalized team in the tournament so far, adding on seven more penalties in its final preliminary game. The U.S. capitalized, scoring three times on the power play. After allowing five goals on 18 shots, Hailey MacLeod swapped with Mari Pietersen who finished out the game with two goals on 14 saves. Madison Keiser finished with three points for the U.S., and Laila Edwards and Sydney Morrow added assists to bring their point totals to seven each—the most in the tournament.
Slovakia needed four goals against Germany to earn one of the top two spots in Group B, and they did that and then some by winning 6-2. Slovakia’s captain Hana Fancovicova led the way offensively, finishing with two goals and an assist while Barbora Kapicakova earned player of the game with two goals of her own.
WHAT TO WATCH
With 121 shots on goal through three preliminary games, the Canadians only have three goals to show for it and sit last in the tournament for scoring efficiency. Forcing play to the centre of the ice and creating traffic will be key for Howie Draper’s forwards as well as staying out of the penalty box. Canada’s weakness is Slovakia’s strength as it sits second in the tournament on the power play.
Slovakia’s win over Germany was its first win of the tournament and just its second win ever at the U18 world championship. While Canada boasts a much more impressive history, it’s never a good idea to discount an underdog riding the momentum of a clutch win.
A LOOK BACK
This will be the first time Canada has ever faced Slovakia at the U18 world championship. 2020 marked the first year Slovakia participated, finishing eighth with just one overtime win against Switzerland. Slovakia was relegated from the tournament this year but eventually took the spot of the IIHF-banned Russian team.
Slovakia has 16 goals in eight world championship games played compared to Canada’s 358 goals in 69 games played since 2008 at this tournament. However, Slovakia to date has outscored Canada at the 2022 competition, 5-3.
All-time record: 0-0 Canada goals: 0 Slovakia goals: 0