Canada fails in bid for third straight U18 title with quarterfinal loss to Sweden

A jersey logo for Hockey Canada at practice in Petawawa, Ont., on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

TRENČÍN — Canada’s quest for a third straight world under-18 men’s hockey championship came to an end Wednesday with a 4-2 quarterfinal loss to Sweden.

Nils Bartholdsson scored two goals late in the third period to clinch the win for the Swedes, who finished runners-up to Canada last year.

“You have to give Sweden credit, they came out with a lot of passion and played a physical game,” Canada head coach Drew Bannister said.

“We were chasing the game from the beginning, and you cannot do that against these types of teams,” he added.

Sweden got out to an early lead thanks to first-period goals from Olle Karlsson and Ludvig Andersson.

Maddox Dagenais and Callum Croskery replied in the second period for Canada.

“It was not our best effort all around,” Croskery said. “Our team has more and it is disappointing to go out like this.”

Swedish goaltender Kevin Tornblom stopped 33 shots to secure the victory.

Gavin Betts made 22 saves for Canada in a losing effort.

Sweden enters the semifinals on a seven-tournament podium streak (two gold, two silver, three bronze).

Latvia, with a stunning 5-2 win over the United States, and Czechia, with a 2-1 win over Finland, also advanced to the semifinals. Host Slovakia faced Denmark in the other quarterfinal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.