USA Stays Undefeated at U18 World Championship

USA Hockey

After a hot start to the tournament, both the USA and Czechia looked to continue their momentum into a highly anticipated matchup. But, it was the USA that stayed hot with a dominant 9-1 win. 

The USA has proven at all levels the strength of their youth through international tournaments like the U18 Worlds, Rivalry Series, and now the Olympics, bringing 7 NCAA players and 2 PWHL rookies. 

In the USA’s first two games, they have 22 goals, so it’s no surprise that the early scoring leaders are all from the USA team.

Jane Daley has been incredible on offence, now with back-to-back hat tricks. She has also been able to open up space and identify opportunities for other players, now with 3 assists. The 16-year-old has already committed to becoming an Ohio State Buckeye. 

Kylie Amelkovich is another leader, now with 9 points in the USA’s two games. Amelkovich has continued to set up teammates with 8 assists, and now has one of her own. She has committed to playing at Penn State. 

Another tournament leader, and USA standout, has been Captain Margaret Averill, who scored a hat trick in the USA’s game against Slovakia to open the tournament. In the game against Czechia, Averill continued to make an impact, recording one goal and one assist. But she is a defender first, saying, “You have to take care of the D zone, and then the offence will come.”

Both teams are back in action Tuesday for the last day of the round robin. Czechia has the early matchup with puck drop set for 10 AM (AST) against 1-1 Slovakia. Puck drop for the USA game is set for 1:30 PM (AST) as they look to stay undefeated in the pre-liminary round when they take on 0-2 Finland.