For the Slovakian team, two successes in the last two games were enough to reach the semi-finals. Having lost the first three games to the USA (0:9), Latvia (3:5) and Finland (0:4), the Slovaks ended the main tournament by defeating Norway (11:1). The Czechs, on the other hand, were second in their group, even in spite of the fact that they stumbled (3:4 in overtime) against Kazakhstan in the last game.
Today, the Czechs attacked more in the first third of the match, which was completely equal, but they had to fight back after Tobias Tomík used the majority in the 96th second. After six minutes, Adam Tittlebach regained the balance.
In the second act, the scales were in favor of the Slovaks, for whom Ondrejs Maruna scored two decisive goals in the 35th and 43rd minutes.
Nine minutes before the end of regular time, Jakub Fibigr played back one puck for the Czechs, but that was the only success of the Czech youth in the comeback effort.
If a miracle does not happen – Latvia does not beat the Canadians – then Slovakia will meet the Americans again in the semi-finals.
In 2003, Slovakia won silver in Yaroslavl, and in Germany in 1999, Slovakian youth won bronze.
Quarter-finals of the World U18 Championship
| Time | The game | The result |
|---|---|---|
| 12.00 | United States [1.] – Switzerland [7.] | 4:0 (0:0; 3:0; 1:0) |
| 14.45 | Czech Republic [4.] – Slovakia [6.] | 2:3 (1:1; 0:1; 1:1) |
| 17.00 | Finland [3.] – Sweden [5.] | 1:2 (0:1; 1:1; 0:0) |
| 19.45 | Canada [2.] – Latvia [8.] |
Used sources:
https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024…
Tags: Defeated Latvia Slovakia takes advantage opportunities reaches semifinals Hockey Sportacentrs .com
