U-18 World Championship Roundup: 2020 draft prospects Askarov, Holtz steal the present as Russia, Sweden to play for gold

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A 40-save effort from Yaroslav Askarov helped Russia pull off an upset over the USA, whereas Sweden will play for gold on house ice after two objectives from Alexander Holtz helped put Canada away Four-Three.Russian hockey followers have a good time a victory|Dmitry FeoktistovTASS by way of Getty ImagesRussia stuns stacked American roster to advanceA two-goal evening by Cole Caufield wasn’t sufficient for the Individuals to advance to the ultimate, with Rodion Amirov developing large with a aim in regulation and within the shootout to finish a Three-2 upset by the Russians.
Caufield tied Alex Ovechkin’s single-tournament file of 14 objectives in what has been a spectacular event for the potential top-10 decide on the NHL draft. However earlier than Caufield bought on the board, Amirov’s shorthanded marker at eight:24 of the second that gave the Russians the sport’s first aim earlier than Semyon Chistyakov compelled extra time with Russia’s second aim little greater than seven minutes into the third. Amirov scored the lone aim within the shootout, with Caufield, Alex Turcotte and Jack Hughes lacking the web on their makes an attempt.
The story of the sport was the goalie duel between prime 2019 prospect Spencer Knight and main 2020 netminder Yaroslav Askarov. Knight made 31 stops for USA, together with a few breakaway stops in extra time, whereas Askarov stopped 40 photographs for the Russians. Askarov’s efficiency added to an already spectacular resume that has seen him end as one of many prime goaltenders on the Hlinka-Gretzky event, Below-17 World Hockey Problem and the World Jr. A Problem, regardless of being one of many youngest goalies in every occasion.
The Russians will play within the remaining for the primary time since 2009. Russia has received gold 3 times beforehand,
Sweden stops Canadian comeback to advanceGiven how good Sweden’s U-20 program has been for over a decade now – sure, even with only one World Junior title – it’s laborious to imagine they’ve by no means received gold on the U-18s. However with a Four-Three victory over Canada, the Tre Kronor have a chance to vary that Sunday.
Sweden’s Philip Broberg opened the scoring at 11:47, getting into the zone with no challengers earlier than ripping house a fast wrist shot. Canada’s Connor Zary answered again, tying the sport with lower than 4 minutes remaining within the opening body on a sharp-angle shot that one way or the other beat Hugo Alnefelt.
Canada took the momentum into the second stanza, with Alex Newhook scoring his fifth of the event to make it 2-1 halfway by the body earlier than 2020 draft phenom Alexander Holtz tied the sport for Sweden. Sweden later pulled forward, and 5 straight minor penalties stunted Canada’s alternatives and an Albin Grewe aim with lower than three minutes remaining sealed the deal for Sweden and despatched them to the gold medal sport for the primary time since 2016.
Canada can win bronze for the primary time since 2015, and doing so can be the nation’s first medal prior to now three tournaments. If Canada wins, they’ll tie Finland and Sweden for essentially the most bronze medals on the event with 4 every.
THREE STARS:1. Yaroslav Askarov (RUS): The highest goaltender for 2020 got here up big towards a stronger American group.2. Alexander Holtz (SWE): Two objectives provides to the rising legend that’s the star Swedish scorer.Three. Cole Caufield (USA): Objective Caufield is a aim away from breaking the single-tournament objectives file.
NEXT UP:Sunday, April 28Canada vs. USA: 9:30 a.m. ET – Bronze medal gameRussia vs. Sweden: 1:30 p.m. ET — Gold medal sport
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Tags: hockey, junior hockey, nhl draft, prospects, u-18 world championshipConnect: In regards to the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.