2017-18 National Men's Under-18 Team

CANADA TOPS SWEDEN IN OT THRILLER AT U18 WORLDS

JESSICA GOWANS

MAGNITOGORSK, Russia – Alexis Lafrenière (Saint-Eustache, Que./Rimouski, QMJHL) netted the game-winner 2:27 into overtime to lead Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sweden on Tuesday at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

The win finishes an unbeaten preliminary round for the Canadians, clinches first place in Group A and sets up a quarter-final date with the Czech Republic on Thursday (10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT).

Parked in front of the net with Canada on the power play in the extra period, Lafrenière took a pass from Ryan Merkley (Mississauga, Ont./Guelph OHL) and swept in the winner on the 40th Canadian shot of the game.

Lafrenière finished with a goal and an assist, Merkley had two helpers, while Raphaël Lavoie (Chambly, Que./Halifax, QMJHL) and Chase Wouters (Lloydminster, Alta./Saskatoon, WHL) had the other goals for Canada.

Sweden struck first when Adam Boqvist beat Canadian goaltender Olivier Rodrigue (Chicoutimi, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) just past the midway mark the opening frame.

Canada had its chances in the period, but was unable to solve Swedish netminder Olof Lindbom, and went into the first intermission trailing 1-0.

Lavoie got Canada on the board in the second, finishing off a pretty passing play between Jared McIsaac (Truro, N.S./Halifax, QMJHL) and Ty Dellandrea (Port Perry, Ont./Flint, OHL) to tie the game.

The Canadians continued to pressure throughout the middle stanza, but were unable to break the deadlock.

Canada took its first lead of the game eight minutes into the third period. Merkley found Wouters on an odd-man rush and he tipped it home for the 2-1 lead. Sweden tied the game with less than two minutes left thanks to a power-play goal by Boqvist.