The preliminary round in Slovakia is done, and a week of great U18 hockey action has brought up plenty to talk about. So, it’s the perfect time to check in with IIHF.com writers Derek O’Brien and Andy Potts to review the action to date and look ahead to the decisive games.

There’s been lots of excitement at both venues this week, but what was the moment that really stood out for you?

Derek: The stand-out moments of Group B involve the Czechs’ first three games – their OT win over the USA, their last-minute win over Sweden, and then their late collapse and OT loss to Germany. I’m going with the last one because of all the elements involved: the Germans were less than a minute from elimination, the challenge for goaltender interference that put Germany on a power play that carried into overtime, the penalty shot call in overtime for a puck covered in the crease, and the winning goal by Tobias Krestan, whose father is Czech.

Andy: There’s really only one choice from Group A – Slovakia’s opening night win over Canada. From the moment the arena doors opened, you sensed something special might happen. The atmosphere, the anticipation … and then an immensely impressive performance to neutralize the defending champion. Timothy Kazda’s penalty shot showed incredible composure to win the game – he was the coolest man in the arena as he executed a deft forehand-backhand move. Slovakia’s U18s beat Canada for the first time, and started a journey to top spot in the group.

And in a tournament where it felt like any team could beat any other, what was the biggest surprise for you?

Andy: I’ve touched on Slovakia’s historic success against Canada, which was undoubtedly a big shock. But a host nation unsettling a favoured opponent on opening night isn’t wholly unprecedented. The explosion of Latvian offence to thrash Norway 8-1, however, was entirely new. Latvia has never scored so many goals in the U18 Worlds, and did it in a high-stakes game between two teams desperate to avoid the relegation round. We expected a tight battle; we got a Latvian romp that the Norwegians were powerless to prevent.

Derek: If you were following Group B, there seemed to be nothing but surprises, especially the first few days. Toward the end of the group stage, things seemed to get back to normal. I’d say the biggest surprise was also the biggest disappointment in Sweden and especially the team’s big scorers that were absent from the first few games. That culminated in a rather shocking 9-1 loss to the USA. Having said that, the Swedes responded with a 9-1 win of their own over Denmark, in which Elton Hermansson, Marcus Nordmark and Alexander Command were put together on one forward line for the first time. We’ll see if they stay together moving forward.
 

With surprises in mind, where do you see an upset in tomorrow’s quarter-finals?

Andy: I was impressed by Kristers Oboks’ pledge that Latvia would try to do “something sensational” against the USA, but it’s hard to see either group winner slipping up in their games. I don’t know if I can favour Finland over Czechia – when Luca Santala didn’t fire, the Finns looked short of goals in Trencin, for all the character they showed in the OT win against Slovakia. Which leaves Sweden against Canada, and something of an unknown. The reshaped offence that battered Denmark might be a whole new test for the Canadians, but Drew Bannister’s team would relish a shot at a defence that allowed nine against the USA. 

Derek: If by upset, we mean the lower seed beating the higher seed from the group stage, then I think both 2v3 matchups are relatively even. Canada’s stingy defence against Sweden’s suddenly resurgent offence should be interesting to see but I would probably give Canada the edge there. Czechia vs Finland is a game that could go either way – I might give a slight edge to the Czechs but if I’m to pick the most likely lower seed to win, the Finns are probably it.
 

And, looking ahead to the end of the tournament, which players are on your radar for MVP or leading scorer?

Derek: I think the MVP race is still wide open in that nobody has stood out head and shoulders above everyone else. There are several Americans who could be in the mix, including Wyatt Cullen and Mikey Berchild, I’ve been impressed with Czech defencemen Jakub Vanecek and Ondrej Ruml (although neither will be top scorer), and if Denmark can score an upset over Slovakia, I’d throw into the mix the name of goaltender Anton Wilde, who was spectacular against both Germany and the USA in Group B.

Andy: Likewise, Group A did not produce a stand-out, dominant performer. I’d suggest Dima Zhilkin could be a contender for leading scorer; his partnership with Tynan Lawrence has been fun to watch so far. You sense that if Slovakia gets a medal, local sentiment could see an MVP contender emerge from Timothy Kazda’s clutch scoring or some big-game goaltending from Denis Celko, who was excellent against Canada.