Women's Ice Hockey IIHF Under 18 World Championship 2018

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2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Division I Group A
In Asiago, , 8-14 January 2018

 

Sunday January 14th, 2018 -

Round-Robin Final Day Schedule (GMT +1)

 

13:30  Norway vs Hungary

17:00  Japan vs Slovakia  

20:30  Austria vs Italy

 

 

*Japan vs Slovakia is the Direct match for the Gold medal and the so desired promotion to the next years Top Division. The winner of the match (Doesn´t matter if in Regular Time or after Overtime/Penalty Shoot-Outs) will win the tournament and qualify for the 2019 Top Division.

**Norway vs Hungary is the direct match for the maintain in this category. Hungary is 3 points ahead, which means they need at least one single point from this match to stay in this division and send Norway to the Division I Group B next year. Norway will stay in this category only in case of win in Regular Time, in this case it will be Hungary who will be relegated down to Div. I B where they will replace Denmark promoted team from this years Division I Group B played last week in Poland.

***Austria vs Italy, the direct match for the Bronze medals. Austria need at least one point to finish third, Italy will be 3rd only in case of win in Regular Time.

 

 

LIVESTREAM

NOR vs HUN

JPN vs SVK

AUT vs ITA

 

[hckošice 14,836]

WOMEN´S UNDER 18

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2018

 

 

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Golden goal blitz

USA scores six in six minutes

 

Sweden's fairytale run came to an end in the gold-medal game as Team USA produced a blistering passage of offence to win 9-3 and defend its title once again.

 

Team USA stormed to its fourth consecutive gold medal in the U18 Women’s World Championship with a devastating display of offensive power. A blistering sequence of six goals in just over six minutes either side of the first intermission turned an eagerly-awaited match-up into a procession, with the luckless Swedes suffering a close-up view of a team hitting its optimal form.

 

With two goals apiece from Britta Curl, Katelyn Knoll, Abigail Murphy and Dominique Petrie leading the scoring, the USA ran rampant on its way to a 9-3 victory. But, for a fleeting moment, the first ever Europe vs North American gold medal game in this competition’s history might have been very different.

 

Just 95 seconds into the gold medal match-up with the hot favourite from the USA, the Swedes stunned everyone with the opening goal of the game. Selina Aho’s shot from the point was deflected by Thea Johansson, taking it away from Lindsay Reed in the American net and handing the underdog a shock lead.

 

Petrie acknowledged that falling behind was a shock, but paid tribute to her team's resilience. "In that first game she made nearly 60 saves so we knew we would have to get shots away and crash that net," she said. "They got that goal early, but we never gave up and after we got the first goal it seemed like the game was ours."

 

With the Swedish defence superlative throughout the tournament, the goal electrified the crowd in Dmitrov. With something to hold on to, could that wall of yellow jerseys keep the USA at bay and complete one of the most sensational championship triumphs in IIHF history? Or could the Americans turn those Cinderella dreams to ashes?

 

It didn’t take long to find out. Stung by the early Swedish goal, Team USA raised its already impressive tempo. Katelyn Knoll tied it up in the seventh minute with her first of the championship, and a wayward clearance presented Abigail Murphy with the puck and she led a two-player rush that ended with Casey O’Brien potting the go-ahead goal midway through the first stanza.

 

What happened next, though, turned this Swedish fairytale into something decidedly grim for the Tre Kronor. Team USA went up through the gears and played some scintillating hockey to blast six goals in barely six minutes either side of the intermission.

 

It started with a power play at the end of the first period, converted by Britta Curl. Then, Curl assisted as Dominique Petrie made it 4-1 33 seconds after the restart. The onslaught was relentless: Murphy showed some sweet skills to dance through the defence and add a fifth, then Curl got her second goal of the evening on the power play and her second assist as Petrie struck again to make it 7-1. When Murphy scored again on 25:38 the Swedes, simply blown away by some irresistible offence, gave Anna Amholt a break from her impossible task and sent Miranda Dahlgren into the firing line.

 

"When we came together with our puck movement and speed everyone saw what we could do," said captain Heise. "We just killed everyone else. I don't want to say we were unstoppable, but we were a group that definitely not many people could stop."

 

There was some great character from the battered Swedish defence to kill a penalty without its leader, Maja Nylen Persson but the Americans were relentless and added a ninth through Knoll in the 36th minute. By now, the celebrations were muted: impressive as the USA performance was, it was impossible not to feel for an opponent that found itself on the receiving end of something special.

 

When Sweden got a goal back on the power play at the start of the third, Jenny Antonsson forcing home the rebound from a Josefin Bouveng shot, there was a huge cheer around the arena. And it said much for the heart of Ylva Martinsen’s team that it could come out and continue to play its game despite the devastation wreaked in the middle frame.

 

There was even a third goal to cheer. Lina Ljungblom beat Reed with a well-struck shot as Sweden converted another power play midway through the frame. But this was all about the USA, and a spectacular explosion on offence that bore all the hallmarks of a champion team.

 

The final hooter brought wild celebrations. For Gracie Ostertag, who was also named as the directorate's top defender of the tournament, this was her third time - and also her last as she leaves this age group. "I honestly can't say which one means the most to me," she said. "It's the same incredible feeling every time. Playing for your country is an amazing feeling. You can't take it for granted because you never know when it might be the last time."

 

For Heise, another triple champion moving up to the next stage of her career, leaving the U18 scene will be a wrench. But she's excited about the future - and not just her own. "When you look at this team, we've got a number of young people. They've been able to experience this for the first time, and with them the future will be awesome."

 

 

Canada takes bronze

Guay stars in 5-1 win over Russia

Canada ensured it departed from Russia with a medal after defeating a tired host nation in the bronze medal game. Alexie Guay led the scoring with 1+2.

 

Canada claimed the bronze medal at the 2018 Women’s U18 World Championship in Dmitrov with a comfortable win over a visibly drained Russian team. Alexie Guay had a goal and two assists for Canada, making her the most productive defender of the tournament ahead of Saturday night’s Gold Medal Game.

 

The host was left shattered by its semi-final loss against Sweden less than 24 hours earlier and, despite the support of another big crowd, struggled to get its game going against a team it sensationally beat a week ago at the start of the tournament.

 

That result was a shock for Canada, and today's game underlined the progress the group had made together. Captain Sarah Fillier, Princeton-bound next season as her junior career comes to an end, was counting the positives at the end.

 

"We didn't leave with the colour of medal we wanted, but it's been a really great experience with the girls," she said. "We always stuck together, even we faced some adversity at the start against Russia. The whole thing was a great journey for our team."

 

That opening game began with Russia blazing out of the traps from the first seconds, putting the Canadian defence under unaccustomed pressure and forcing the North Americans on to the back foot. Today, though, that same energy was lacking. Despite an early chance for Maria Alexandrova, the star of the quarter-final success against Finland, Canada swiftly took control. Russia was limited to just three shots on Madelyn McArthur’s net in the first period as the Canadians dictated much of the play.

 

The opening goal had been coming for a little while when Canada took the lead just before the first intermission. A well-worked power play kept Russia pegged back and after the puck looped up in front of Diana Farkhutdinova’s net, Guay swatted it down for Julia Gosling to score at the far post.

 

That set Canada on its way to a win that underlined the progress head coach Delaney Collins talked about. "These short tournaments are always difficult," she said. "When you lose the first game, it's easy to start questioning yourself and I thought we sat back after that Russia result and hesitated to play our natural game. But we definitely got better and better - our best games were our last two, and we gave the USA everything we could - so overall we're really happy with our bronze medals."

 

Guay made herself the most productive defender in the tournament with another helper as Canada went up 2-0 in the second period. This time she did the hard work around the back, holding off Irina Kuligina’s challenge before feeding Audrey-Anne Veillette out in front for the finish. That play moved Guay on to 0+6 for the championship; ahead of the gold medal game, Russia’s Yulia Provorova’s three-point haul was the next best among the players in Group A.

 

An error on a Russian power play handed Canada a third goal midway through the game. Abygail Moloughney intercepted a stray pass on her own blue line and set off to the races. Farkhutdinova seemed unsure whether to stay home or go to meet her, and was caught out of position as the shot ripped over her glove on its way to the top corner.

 

"The girls did all they could, but it was so tough - both physically and mentally - to get prepared for this game after losing to Sweden," Russia's head coach Yevgeni Bobariko said. "Right now, I'm really disappointed that we couldn't win a medal for our fans here."

 

Russia’s plight got worse seconds into the final frame when Courtney Vorster put a slap shot into Farkhutdinova’s net from the blue line to claim a power play goal and turn the rest of the game into a damage-limitation exercise for the host. And when Guay added her first goal of the competition soon after, it felt like Russia’s encouraging tournament might come to a painful end.

 

But there was something for the home crowd to cheer at last with 10 minutes to play when Vita Ponyatovskaya got Russia on the scoreboard. The defender followed up well to score from the slot after Alexandrova and Oxana Bratisheva rushed the net.

 

As the youngest player on the roster, born in 2003, Ponyatovskaya could feature in three more U18 championships. And she was encouraged by the crowds that made this the best-supported U18 women's tournament played in Europe. "That was really powerful, seeing so many people in the arena," she said. "It's great that we could generate even more interest in women's hockey. Hopefully we can go on to make women's hockey even more popular here."

 

Bobariko also talked up his young prospect. "It wasn't at all easy for her to play at this level for the first time," he said. "But she's a good girl, a talented girl, and she really loves her hockey. She's got a great future ahead of her."

 

The Canadian victory maintains the country's record of medalling at every edition of this tournament. Russia, despite missing out on a repeat of last year's bronze in the Czech Republic, won many friends for its performances on the ice and the enthusiastic support for the competition throughout this week in Dmitrov.

 

Canadian coach Collins was warm in her praise for the way Russia had played and organised the tournament. "I think it was really good, not so much in terms of the results but in term of the growth of women's hockey," she said. "The city of Dmitrov and the Russian Hockey Federation put on an incredible tournament, the fans were proud and fantastic and we can't say enough about the whole experience.

"We'd like to congratulate Russia on the growth of its program and everything they have done to show they are an elite team, a team that has to be taken very seriously."

 

After the game, there were presentations for the three best players in the tournament from each team. Russia's trio was goalie Diana Farkhutdinova, forward Ilona Markova and defender Julia Provorova. The Canadian selection was defender Courtney Vorster, captain Sarah Fillier and forward Brooke McQuigge.

 

 

Swiss survive

Ruedi strikes to send Germany down

Lisa Ruedi made it five goals in two games as Switzerland wrapped up the relegation round in two games, staying up at Germany's expense following a 3-0 win.

 

Lisa Ruedi was the scourge of Germany once again, adding two more goals to Wednesday’s hat-trick as the Swiss won 3-0 to preserve their Elite Pool status.

 

The Germans had it all to do in Dmitrov, having suffered a 3-7 reverse in game one of the relegation round, but Tommy Kettner’s team could at least point to a strong third period in that game. However, it also had to contend with Ruedi – and the forward once again showed her value to Switzerland.

 

She opened the scoring midway through the first period, forcing the puck home from close range after Lara Christen’s rush to the net created the opportunity. Then, in the middle frame, she turned provider for Rahel Enzler. With Switzerland on the power play, Ruedi orchestrated her team’s efforts, eventually leaving a drop-pass for Enzler to shoot home the second of the game.

 

Goal number three also went to Ruedi when she found herself on the spot to touch home a Christen shot from the point and put the game beyond Germany. In two relegation round games, the Lions star notched five goals and two assists, taking her tournament tally to 11 (6+5) points, an improvement on last year’s 5+1 in the Czech Republic. And all that on a team that lost out in its three Group B games.

 

For Germany, the trip to Dmitrov ended with a swift and dramatic reversal of fortunes. Victory over Switzerland in the final group game put the team in with a chance of making the quarter-final a year after winning promotion to the top level. But the Czechs sneaked ahead with a victory over Finland, and the Swiss produced two strong displays in the relegation round to send Germany back to Division One for next season.

 

 

 

Gold Medal Game Highlights

Spoiler

 

 

 

Results Thread

 

[hckošice 14,836]

2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship Division I Group A
In Asiago, , 8-14 January 2018

 

Sunday January 14th, 2018 -

Round-Robin Final Day Results (GMT +1)

 

13:30  Norway  GWS3 - 2  Hungary

17:00  Japan  3 - 0  Slovakia  

20:30  Austria  4 - 6  Italy

 

 

Final Standing

 

1. Japan 15   

Qualified for the Women´s Under 18 World Championships 2019

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2. Slovakia 11

(for the 2nd consecutive year our girls finished in 2nd place and missing the top division by 1 lose )

3. Italy 7

4. Austria 6

5. Hungary 4

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6. Norway 2

Relegated for the Women´s Under 18 Division I Group B 2019

 

[Gianlu33 4,575]

Impressive result for our team, I'm very very happy about this 3rd place

 

[hckošice 14,836]

WOMEN´S UNDER 18

DIVISION I GROUP A

2018

 

 

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Japan WW18 back on top

Promoted to highest level for sixth time

The Japanese women’s under-18 team capped a dominant week in Asiago, Italy, by defeating Slovakia in the decisive game by a 3-0 score.

 

The win gives Japan a perfect 5-0 record at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship Division I Group A and earns the nation promotion to the top level for 2019.

 

This marks the sixth time the Japanese ladies have made it to the top, and they did so in impressive fashion. Not only did they win every game, they surrendered but one goal in five games, that to Hungary. They never trailed, scored 21 goals in total, and played poised hockey all week.

 

“We’re really happy with the way we played,” said defenceman Akane Shiga. “It was important for us to earn the promotion this year. But we must continue to work hard so that we stay up after next year. It’s very important for our program because we are a small nation for women’s hockey.”

 

“Our coach gave us a good system to work with, and we communicated very well,” Shiga continued. “We played like a team, which is really important.”

 

Indeed, the Japanese played a virtually perfect tournament. They allowed a mere 51 shots over the course of ALL five games, didn’t allow a power-play goal, recorded four shutouts, led the tournament with eight power-play goals of their own, and were the least penalized team.

 

Slovakia had also won its four previous games but with a bit more trouble. It beat Italy, 5-4, in overtime on Friday, and with today’s loss maintains its position in Division I-A for next year. The Slovaks have played WW18 since 2009 and have never been promoted or demoted.

 

Today, the Japanese made sure to put the game out of reach quickly. Airi Sato made a beautiful deflection off a point shot just 4:29 into the game to give Japan the early lead, putting Slovakia in a hole right off the bat.

 

Less than a minute later it was 2-0 when Remi Koyama’s shot dribbled through the pads of goalie Andrea Risianova. Yuuki Ito made it 3-0 late in the period when she banged home her own rebound. That was all the scoring the team needed.

 

Japan moved the puck with authority, skated freely, and were in possession of the puck for much of the game. In all, shots were 34-8 for the winners as Slovakia simply couldn’t get the puck near Reika Sasaki’s goal with any danger.

 

Even late in the game, after Japan took its first penalty, coach Peter Kudelka pulled Risianova to make it a six-on-four, but Slovakia still couldn’t generate any decent scoring chances.

 

Captain Diana Vargova, who led the tournament with nine points, was held in tight check by the Japanese tonight and didn’t record a single shot.

 

Italy rallied in the third period in the final game of the tournament to defeat Austria, 6-4, and leapfrog the Austrians in the standings. The hosts finished in third place and 11th overall in the program – the best placing ever of an Italian women’s hockey team in the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship program. Austria finished fourth and Hungary fifth.

 

Despite beating Hungary earlier today, 3-2, in an exciting shootout, Norway finished in last place and will go down to Division I-B next year.

 

 

@Gianlu33 this one is for you.

 

Gold and Bronze medalists posing together after the tournament´s last match

 

 

 

Results Thread

 

 

[hckošice 14,836]

The first to complete it´s 2018 WCh program will be this year the Women´s U18 category. after the top division and both Division I Group A and Group B world championships, we have still to conclude the Division I Group B qualification tournament, this one will be played this week in Mexico.

 

finally only 5 nations entered the qualifiers, since North Korea unfortunately withdrew.

 

so here todays Day 1 Schedule

 

 

 

2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's Division I Group B Qualification Tournament
In Mexico City, , 30 January - 4 February 2018
Participants: Kazakhstan, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, Netherlands

 

Tuesday January 30th, 2018 -

Round-Robin Day 1 Schedule (GMT -6)

 

16:30  Netherlands vs Spain  

20:10  Mexico vs Kazakhstan

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Rest Day:  Turkey

 

 

 

*Tournament Format: 5 Nations play a usual Round-Robin tournament, Each team play once every opponent,

Only The first ranked Nation will qualify for the Women´s Under 18 Division I Group B World Championships next year in 2019 where they will replace Australia relegated from this years WU18 Div I B WCh tournament held in Poland earlier this month.

All other Teams will have to retry their luck again next year in the Women´s Under 18 Division I Group B Qualification Tournament 2019

 

 

 

 

[hckošice 14,836]

2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's Division I Group B Qualification Tournament
In Mexico City, , 30 January - 4 February 2018
Participants: Kazakhstan, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, Netherlands

 

Tuesday January 30th, 2018 -

Round-Robin Day 1 Results (GMT -6)

 

16:30  Netherlands  4 - 2  Spain  

20:10  Mexico  4 - 3  Kazakhstan

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Rest Day:  Turkey

 

 

Provisional Standing After Day 1

1. Netherlands 3 pts, 2. Mexico 3 pts, 3. Kazakhstan 0 pts, 4. Spain 0 pts.  Turkey have not played yet

 

[hckošice 14,836]

Day 2 Schedule

 

 

 

2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's Division I Group B Qualification Tournament
In Mexico City, , 30 January - 4 February 2018
Participants: Kazakhstan, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, Netherlands

 

Wednesday January 31st, 2018 -

Round-Robin Day 2 Schedule (GMT -6)

 

13:30  Turkey vs Netherlands  

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Rest Day:  Kazakhstan, Mexico, Spain

[hckošice 14,836]

2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's Division I Group B Qualification Tournament
In Mexico City, , 30 January - 4 February 2018
 

 

Wednesday January 31st, 2018 -

Round-Robin Day 2 Results (GMT -6)

 

13:30  Turkey  1 - 12  Netherlands  

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Rest Day:  Kazakhstan, Mexico, Spain

 

 

Provisional Standing After Day 2

1. Netherlands 6 pts, 2. Mexico 3 pts, 3. Kazakhstan 0 pts, 4. Spain 0 pts, 5. Turkey 0 pts.

 

[hckošice 14,836]

here Day 3 Schedule

 

 

 

2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's Division I Group B Qualification Tournament
In Mexico City, , 30 January - 4 February 2018

 

Thursday February 1st, 2018 -

Round-Robin Day 3 Schedule (GMT -6)

 

16:30  Kazakhstan vs Turkey  

20:00  Spain vs Mexico

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Rest Day:  Netherlands

 

 

LIVESTREAM

All matches are streamed on the Mexican Federation Facebook LINK