Sweden Upsets Canada 4-2 to Reach U18 Ice Hockey World Championship Semifinals

In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the 2026 U18 Ice Hockey World Championship, Sweden pulled off a stunning 4-2 victory over defending champions Canada. This unexpected triumph propels the Swedish Småkronorna into the semifinals, scheduled for Friday, with their next opponent yet to be determined.

The game saw early contributions from Olle Karlsson and Ludvig Andersson, who scored in the first period to give Sweden a strong start. Canada fought back in the second period to level the score, but Sweden regained control through the efforts of 18-year-old forward Nils Bartholdsson. Bartholdsson scored twice in the third period, including a power-play goal and an empty-net goal, sealing the victory.

Goalkeeper Kevin Törnblom was instrumental in the win, despite Sweden being outshot 35-26 by Canada. Sweden’s path to this upset was not without hurdles, as they had a shaky group stage, losing two of their four matches, including a heavy 1-9 loss against the USA. Additionally, the absence of key player Viggo Björck, who was committed to the U20 finals, had an impact on their earlier performances.

The victory is significant for Sweden not only as an upset over the reigning champions but also as a form of revenge, considering Canada’s emphatic 7-0 win over Sweden in the 2025 U18 World Championship final. Moreover, this loss marks the first time since 2022 that Canada will leave the U18 World Championship without a medal.

Sweden’s consistency at the U18 level continues, having medaled at every championship since 2018. The team’s strong third period performance, underlined by Bartholdsson’s decisive goals, alongside critical saves by Törnblom, was key to overcoming a tough Canadian squad that demonstrated strong offense throughout the tournament.

The semifinal stage looms as an important next step for Sweden’s young team, eager to build on this momentum after a challenging group phase and an impressive quarterfinal upset.