LANDSHUT, Germany — Team USA will play for a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship after defeating Czechia, 6-1, in the semifinals.
Team USA last won gold at the tournament in 2017 — the team did not win a medal in 2021 after a loss to Sweden in the quarterfinals.
After a slow start and some penalty trouble, Team USA trailed Czechia by a goal early in the first period.
.@GauthierCutter buries after getting this unreal pass from Cooley!#U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/kPbgFAFEA0
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 30, 2022
In the second frame, the U.S. scored five unanswered goals to take the lead for good. The Americans tacked on an insurance goal in the final period to take their final 6-1 lead.
Four players from Team USA led the way in points with two apiece. Jimmy Snuggerud (Chaska, Minn. / Minnesota), Logan Cooley (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Minnesota), Lane Hutson (North Barrington, Ill. / Boston University) and Isaac Howard (Hudson, Wis. / Minnesota-Duluth) each got on the scoresheet twice.
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An absolute ROCKET from the slot by @JSnuggerud 🚀#U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/XNU6t0YaMf
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 30, 2022
Trey Augustine (South Lyon, Mich. / Michigan) made 26 saves on 27 shots on goal to pick up the win in net for the U.S.
Team USA will go for gold in the championship game against either Sweden or Finland on Sunday, May 1, at 11:30 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the NHL Network.
