2026 U18 Women's Worlds Check-In: Group Stage Recap

Hat tricks and blowouts and ... more hat tricks, oh my? The group stage of the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Championships in Nova Scotia has come and gone, and here's how the eight participating countries are looking in its wake.

Group A

Canada (3-0-0-0, 32 GF, 2 GA, 1st of 4)

All-around dominance from Canada at the group stage of an international tournament? Stop me if you've heard that one before. Sweden may have given them a scare for a total of two and a half minutes, but once Rosalie Tremblay got the ball rolling with a pair of goals in response, all the rest was smooth sailing for the Canadians.

Sofia Ismael and Hayley McDonald, both in their second go-round at the U18s for Canada, each recorded a hat trick among their five goals, while Adrianna Milani had a three-goal game of her own against Hungary. Fellow 16-year-old and Minnesota commit Megan Mossey showed off her all-around prowess with her two goals and five points from defense, and Léa-Rose Charrois and Rowan Houweling both posted a shutout. Even if not explicitly mentioned, just about everyone on Canada is firing on all cylinders, and that's a good place to be headed into the knockout round.

Sweden (2-0-0-1, 9 GF, 10 GA, 2nd of 4)

As alluded to earlier, Sweden had Canada on the back foot, even if only briefly, which is a feat in and of itself given how otherwise dominant Group A's top team was. Outside of that, in contrast to the high-scoring nature of the group stage, Sweden's victories were largely a product of their SDHL-experienced blueline led by captain Ebba Westerlind.

When the offense did come, it was most often courtesy of their top line, all returnees from last year's team. Tilde Sundnäs Grillfors, Inez Nygren, and Ebba Hesselvall put up three points apiece, tying for the team lead. 15-year-olds Moa Stridh and Tilia Lindgren chipped in multi-point efforts and, while not appearing on the scoresheet, Maja Stäring was incredibly noticeable on a Sweden fourth line that wasn't on the ice for a single goal against.

Switzerland (1-0-0-2, 2 GF, 12 GA, 3rd of 4)

Just a single goal scored on a goaltender in three games, while concerning, isn't as much of a problem when it's as well-timed as Switzerland's was. Norina Müller's early third-period marker, and subsequent empty-netter against Hungary, ensured they'd at the very least dodge the relegation game this year with a 2-0 win.

What put them into a position to take that game at all, though, was the play of goaltender Norina Schrupkowski. Switzerland has a history of strong goaltending and the 16-year-old added her name to the books, putting up a .932 SV% over the course of the group stage even after a run-in with Canada. The immovable object will soon meet the unstoppable force, though, as Schrupkowski and Switzerland take on the well-rounded offense of Czechia in the quarters.

Hungary (0-0-0-3, 1 GF, 20 GA, 4th of 4)

It doesn't look pretty on paper. It was never going to, for the most recently promoted team. Nonetheless, Hungary has a lot to take out of this group stage, not the least of which is genuine hope of staying in the top division for another year. It may not come through the quarterfinals, as they've drawn the juggernaut USA, but through the relegation game, where they'd be on track to play Finland.

The key for them is netminder Zoé Takács, whose numbers don't properly show just how outstanding she was over the two-and-a-half games she played. All that's missing for her is the goal support, and it sure isn't for a lack of trying. Captain and sole goalscorer Réka Hiezl fired nine shots on goal against Switzerland, while Petra Polónyi, Krisztina Weiler, and Helga Tamás all had games of their own with at least four. With Finland's goaltending looking shakier than any of their Group A opponents, it all might just add up to an upset for Hungary.

Group B

United States (3-0-0-0, 36 GF, 1 GA, 1st of 4)

Like Canada, there's not much to say here, as the Americans just about said it all with their play. Individually, the standout from them is, of course, Jane Daley. After going goalless at last year's tournament, her hat trick of hat tricks may seem like it came out of nowhere, but as USA coach Courtney Kennedy said after her second, it's no oopsie. With impressive performances at the past couple Summer Series' against Canada and with Shattuck St. Mary's, Daley's breakout on the big stage has been years in the making.

Her aside, there are eye-catching exploits all over the roster, whether it be Kylie Amelkovich's record-setting six-assist game against Slovakia, Talla Hansen's bullet of a shot against Finland among her seven points, or Maggie Averill and Chyna Taylor's nine points apiece from the blueline. If there's anything to nitpick with this team, their dominance has left the goaltending relatively untested. Morgan Stickney faced an average of just six shots across her two shutouts, and less combined than Bianca Birrittieri's one start against Czechia. Speak of the devil...

Czechia (2-0-0-1, 17 GF, 12 GA, 2nd of 4)

Czechia may have ended the group stage with the record expected of them, but how they got there was anything but predictable. A tight game against Finland in a presumed battle for second in the group? Nope, a 9-1 drubbing. Playing the States close after a 4-2 pre-tournament defeat? Make that 9-1 against them this time. Another outburst against Slovakia later and the Czechs finished with far and away the most goals for of any non-first-place finisher.

What stands out for Czechia is just how widespread their contributions were throughout their lineup. Ten players on their roster were at least point-per-game, a comparable number to the United States despite half as many goals scored. Forwards Adéla Mynaříková, Andrea Kantorová, Kateřina Pěnčíková, and defender Aneta Paroubková tied for the team lead with five points each, while Cornell commit Tereza Gildainová paced the Czechs in goals with three.

Slovakia (1-0-0-2, 7 GF, 22 GA, 3rd of 4)

In a completely unsurprising turn of events, Nela Lopušanová put on a show in the group stage. The captain scored five of her team's goals, had points on six, and was on the ice for all seven, highlighted by her dropping four on Finland in Slovakia's sole victory.

A statline like that can't happen without proper support, though, and that was primarily provided by Lenka Karkošková, who notched three assists and was equally effective off the puck. Alexandra Hirjaková and Natália Gerő also chipped in with goals, while Mariana Sumegová and Zuzana Tomečková performed admirably in net against tough competition.

Finland (0-0-0-3, 3 GF, 28 GA, 4th of 4)

Is this worst-case scenario for the Finns? Maybe, but if not, it's certainly close. After a surprise defeat at the hands of Lopušanová and Slovakia, blowouts to USA and Czechia, and Canada looming in the quarters, the Tyttöleijonat look bound for their first appearance in the relegation game.

Like last year, Finland had just three players notch multiple points, and like last year, one of them was Tinja Tapani, who was responsible for two-thirds of the team's goals. Forward Netta Siitonen and defender Viivi-Maija Ruonakoski were the others, while captain Senja Siivonen had numerous chances to put up more than her one well-executed assist against Slovakia. Finland will need all of them and more to show up going forward for them to retain their spot in the top division.

Quarterfinal Matchups

Sweden (2A) vs. Slovakia (3B)
Czechia (2B) vs. Switzerland (3A)
United States (1B) vs. Hungary (4A)
Canada (1A) vs. Finland (4B)

All quarterfinal games will take place on Thursday, Jan 15, beginning with Sweden and Slovakia at 10am local time.