WW U18s: CAN, USA advance to gold medal game

Team Canada defeated Sweden 6-1 earlier today to earn a spot in the tomorrow's gold medal game (10:30 AM CST). Team USA is still playing the Czech Republic, but as they're already up 14-0 at the end of the second period, they've also earned a spot in the championship game, barring a collapse of epic proportions that Mark Johnson would never allow. (Normally I wouldn't jinx a team by calling the outcome in the middle of the game, but come on, a 14 goal lead?)

Here are the box scores/recaps/stats -- I'll update it after the US victory is complete. In the meantime you can follow livestats. Oops, as I type, the 3rd period has started, and the US has scored few more goals . . .

CAN 6 - SWE 1
box
recaps: iihf, hockeycanada
Breann Frykas 0-1-1, 0 SOG, +3
Saige Pacholok 0-3-3, 0 SOG +3

USA 18 - CZE 0
box
recaps: iihf, usahockey
Brianna Decker 3-0-3, 6 SOG, +4 --- named US player of the game
Alev Kelter 3-1-4, 8 SOG, +6
Madison Packer 3-0-3, 11 SOG, +5
Brittany Ammerman 0-2-2, 3 SOG, +5

"We're excited for the opportunity to play for the gold medal," said Team USA Head Coach Mark Johnson, who is also the head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin. "It is the ultimate goal to play in the championship game and I anticipate that it will be very exciting; we're looking forward to it."