Emil Hemming (#32) and his Finnish teammates hope to celebrate another win in Thursday's quarter-finals against archrival Sweden.
The 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship is about to get extremely interesting.
With the quarter-finals taking place on Thursday in Espoo and Vantaa, the U.S. aims to take the first step toward becoming the first nation to repeat as champs since (wait for it) the U.S. achieved the feat in 2014 and 2015.
The other seven quarter-final participants all have some version of redemption or revenge on their minds. So let’s take a closer look at our four do-or-die matchups. All times are local.
United States – Switzerland (12:00, Espoo)
How do you stop James Hagens? That question looms large for Switzerland, which has scored just eight goals to the U.S.’s 33 so far. Hagens, a 17-year-old centre with magical hands, is shoring up his #1 overall draft ranking for 2025 with a tournament-high 16 points through four games. (By comparison, the entire Swiss team has totalled 18 points.)
“James is obviously an insanely skilled player,” said linemate Teddy Stiga, whose natural hat trick in the 9-4 shellacking of Finland featured three Hagens assists. “So it’s just about trying to find soft areas and places where he can get you the puck. You know he’ll find you when you’re open, so you’re just trusting that he’ll get it to you.”
Beyond Hagens, the Americans are getting elite tournaments out of forwards such as Cole Eiserman (6+2=8) and Trevor Connelly (4+4=8). The U.S. also effectively activates its defence, including talents like Cole Hutson (4+4=8) and Logan Hensler (1+3=4). Strong two-way play has the U.S. tied with Canada for fewest goals allowed (seven).
The Swiss must stay out of the box, as the U.S.’s power play (10-for-17, 58.8 percent) is far more lethal than that of their opponents (2-for-13, 15.3 percent). But even good discipline may not be a difference-maker. All-time, Switzerland has lost 10 of 11 U18 Worlds meetings with the Americans by an aggregate of 57-18. Expect that trend to continue.
Czechia – Slovakia (14:45, Vantaa)
To see this brotherly rivalry revived is a treat for hockey fans. Most recently, the Czechs were down in the dumps after an upset 4-3 overtime loss against Kazakhstan. The Slovaks, meanwhile, smashed their national team record for goals in a game in the 11-1 win over Norway that gave them third place in Group B. Who will bring the right mindset on Tuesday?
Five of the last six Czechia-Slovakia U18 Worlds games have been decided by just a goal. So prepare to witness a bit of a chess match. Both sides have been decidedly mediocre on special teams and in net. The Czechs have had a better run in Finland overall, apart from getting walloped 6-0 by Canada. But this one is still hard to call.
It may well boil down to one offensive catalyst stepping up, like Slovak captain Tomas Pobezal, who exploded for four goals versus Norway, or Czech power forward Adam Jecho, who has goals in his last two games.
Finland – Sweden (17:00, Espoo)
The Finns may have been lulled into a false sense of security after posting three convincing wins over weaker opponents: 3-1 over Latvia, 7-0 over Norway, and 4-0 over Slovakia. Coach Marko Kauppinen’s crew got a much clearer picture of the immense task that lies ahead when they fell 9-4 to the Americans.
In Sweden, the hosts face an opponent that has been treading water thus far, but could also easily spoil the home-ice party. Coach Johan Rosen’s Swedes have yet to dominate anyone other than underdog Kazakhstan (7-1). They needed extra time to dispatch both Czechia and Switzerland by 3-2 scores.
There is little to choose between the two sides in terms of goaltending, or even power play quarterbacks in Finland’s Aron Kiviharju and Sweden’s Alfons Freijs (both 0+3=3). The Smakronorna’s challenge will be to limit time and space for Suomi’s top-line duo of Konsta Helenius (0+7=7) and Emil Hemming (4+2=6). Those two projected 2024 NHL first-round picks will be hungry to make their mark after being limited to an assist apiece versus the Americans.
Finland is the slight favourite here. But the longer the Swedes can keep it close and hush the Espoo fans, the better their chances become. Incidentally, Sweden has a five-tournament medal streak on the line, including two golds (2019, 2022) and a silver (2023).
Canada – Latvia (19:45, Vantaa)
Coming off an 11-3 obliteration of Kazakhstan, Canada must ensure its traditional humble confidence doesn’t spill over into cockiness against its Baltic opponents. Granted, Latvia has never won a U18 Worlds quarter-final, peaking with 2022’s seventh-place finish. And its current goal difference (10-18) pales in comparison to Canada’s (31-7).
However, the last three U18 Worlds tilts between these nations haven’t been Canadian blowouts. The Canadians won 4-1 in 2017, 3-1 in 2019, and 4-2 in 2021. There’s a trend here for Latvia to make Canada’s life a little more difficult than one might anticipate.
Could an upset materialize? The first key for the Latvians is to avoid a bad start. They’ve gotten down 3-0 in the first period in their last two losses to the U.S. (7-1) and Norway (5-3). The second key is to avoid the sin bin. With Canada’s power play clicking at 40 percent (third-best overall) and Latvia’s penalty kill floundering at 53.3 percent (second-worst overall), there are some risks that aren’t worth taking.
Realistically, Latvian coach Olegs Sorokins will find it near-impossible to counter Canada’s first-line firepower in Gavin McKenna (6+8=14) and captain Porter Martone (4+9=13). Assistant captain Malcolm Spence (3+4=7) and Tij Iginla (4+1=5) are also enjoying productive tournaments. If Canada fails to advance, it’ll be a bona fide shocker.
With the quarter-finals taking place on Thursday in Espoo and Vantaa, the U.S. aims to take the first step toward becoming the first nation to repeat as champs since (wait for it) the U.S. achieved the feat in 2014 and 2015.
The other seven quarter-final participants all have some version of redemption or revenge on their minds. So let’s take a closer look at our four do-or-die matchups. All times are local.
United States – Switzerland (12:00, Espoo)
How do you stop James Hagens? That question looms large for Switzerland, which has scored just eight goals to the U.S.’s 33 so far. Hagens, a 17-year-old centre with magical hands, is shoring up his #1 overall draft ranking for 2025 with a tournament-high 16 points through four games. (By comparison, the entire Swiss team has totalled 18 points.)
“James is obviously an insanely skilled player,” said linemate Teddy Stiga, whose natural hat trick in the 9-4 shellacking of Finland featured three Hagens assists. “So it’s just about trying to find soft areas and places where he can get you the puck. You know he’ll find you when you’re open, so you’re just trusting that he’ll get it to you.”
Beyond Hagens, the Americans are getting elite tournaments out of forwards such as Cole Eiserman (6+2=8) and Trevor Connelly (4+4=8). The U.S. also effectively activates its defence, including talents like Cole Hutson (4+4=8) and Logan Hensler (1+3=4). Strong two-way play has the U.S. tied with Canada for fewest goals allowed (seven).
The Swiss must stay out of the box, as the U.S.’s power play (10-for-17, 58.8 percent) is far more lethal than that of their opponents (2-for-13, 15.3 percent). But even good discipline may not be a difference-maker. All-time, Switzerland has lost 10 of 11 U18 Worlds meetings with the Americans by an aggregate of 57-18. Expect that trend to continue.
Czechia – Slovakia (14:45, Vantaa)
To see this brotherly rivalry revived is a treat for hockey fans. Most recently, the Czechs were down in the dumps after an upset 4-3 overtime loss against Kazakhstan. The Slovaks, meanwhile, smashed their national team record for goals in a game in the 11-1 win over Norway that gave them third place in Group B. Who will bring the right mindset on Tuesday?
Five of the last six Czechia-Slovakia U18 Worlds games have been decided by just a goal. So prepare to witness a bit of a chess match. Both sides have been decidedly mediocre on special teams and in net. The Czechs have had a better run in Finland overall, apart from getting walloped 6-0 by Canada. But this one is still hard to call.
It may well boil down to one offensive catalyst stepping up, like Slovak captain Tomas Pobezal, who exploded for four goals versus Norway, or Czech power forward Adam Jecho, who has goals in his last two games.
Finland – Sweden (17:00, Espoo)
The Finns may have been lulled into a false sense of security after posting three convincing wins over weaker opponents: 3-1 over Latvia, 7-0 over Norway, and 4-0 over Slovakia. Coach Marko Kauppinen’s crew got a much clearer picture of the immense task that lies ahead when they fell 9-4 to the Americans.
In Sweden, the hosts face an opponent that has been treading water thus far, but could also easily spoil the home-ice party. Coach Johan Rosen’s Swedes have yet to dominate anyone other than underdog Kazakhstan (7-1). They needed extra time to dispatch both Czechia and Switzerland by 3-2 scores.
There is little to choose between the two sides in terms of goaltending, or even power play quarterbacks in Finland’s Aron Kiviharju and Sweden’s Alfons Freijs (both 0+3=3). The Smakronorna’s challenge will be to limit time and space for Suomi’s top-line duo of Konsta Helenius (0+7=7) and Emil Hemming (4+2=6). Those two projected 2024 NHL first-round picks will be hungry to make their mark after being limited to an assist apiece versus the Americans.
Finland is the slight favourite here. But the longer the Swedes can keep it close and hush the Espoo fans, the better their chances become. Incidentally, Sweden has a five-tournament medal streak on the line, including two golds (2019, 2022) and a silver (2023).
Canada – Latvia (19:45, Vantaa)
Coming off an 11-3 obliteration of Kazakhstan, Canada must ensure its traditional humble confidence doesn’t spill over into cockiness against its Baltic opponents. Granted, Latvia has never won a U18 Worlds quarter-final, peaking with 2022’s seventh-place finish. And its current goal difference (10-18) pales in comparison to Canada’s (31-7).
However, the last three U18 Worlds tilts between these nations haven’t been Canadian blowouts. The Canadians won 4-1 in 2017, 3-1 in 2019, and 4-2 in 2021. There’s a trend here for Latvia to make Canada’s life a little more difficult than one might anticipate.
Could an upset materialize? The first key for the Latvians is to avoid a bad start. They’ve gotten down 3-0 in the first period in their last two losses to the U.S. (7-1) and Norway (5-3). The second key is to avoid the sin bin. With Canada’s power play clicking at 40 percent (third-best overall) and Latvia’s penalty kill floundering at 53.3 percent (second-worst overall), there are some risks that aren’t worth taking.
Realistically, Latvian coach Olegs Sorokins will find it near-impossible to counter Canada’s first-line firepower in Gavin McKenna (6+8=14) and captain Porter Martone (4+9=13). Assistant captain Malcolm Spence (3+4=7) and Tij Iginla (4+1=5) are also enjoying productive tournaments. If Canada fails to advance, it’ll be a bona fide shocker.