In the gold-medal game of the under-18 world men's hockey championship held on Saturday at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, Canada secured a decisive 7-0 victory over Sweden. Brady Martin was a standout performer, scoring two goals, while goaltender Jack Ivankovic recorded 28 saves, contributing significantly to the team's success. Both players were subsequently named to the tournament all-star team, with Ivankovic also earning the title of best goaltender.
Canada established an early lead, finishing the first period at 2-0 and extending it to 5-0 by the end of the second. Other Canadian players who contributed to the scoring included Xavier Villeneuve, Jackson Smith, Ethan Czata, Braeden Cootes, and Jack Nesbitt. The victory marked Canada's second consecutive gold medal at this championship, a first in the tournament's history.
Head coach Cory Stillman remarked on the significance of the win, noting the importance of concluding the season with a championship, whether at the club or national level. He expressed pride in the team's development throughout the tournament, highlighting their performance in the final as the culmination of their efforts.
In the bronze-medal game, the United States triumphed over Slovakia with a score of 4-3 in overtime, thanks to a goal by Ben Kevan. The game was tightly contested, with Slovakia forcing the extra period by scoring late in regulation. The U.S. team managed to recover from a 2-1 deficit heading into the third period.