• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
The World Under-18 quarterfinals are set, and the action gets under way on Thursday. Matchups include Finland vs. Belarus, Sweden vs. Slovakia, Russia vs. Team USA, and Canada vs. the Czech Republic.
There's no question the most intriguing matchup is the USA-Russia game, as the tournament's defending champion faces its current host team. Several days ago, this site predicted Russia will win the tournament. Let's stick with that prediction, but it won't be easy for the Russians to get past the Americans.
Despite going only 2-2 in the preliminary round, this U.S. squad has the advantage of having played together all season. That usually makes all the difference in the medal round. In any case, this will be the game to watch. It should be some great hockey on Thursday. Tuesday's final preliminary-round matchups set the tone, as four of the top five performances on the list below came from those games. Take a look:
ADAM BOQVIST -- The star Swedish defenseman is proving his worth at the World Under-18 tournament. Although the Swedes lost to Canada 3-2 in OT, Boqvist was the only reason the game got that far -- scoring both goals. The first opened the scoring 10:27 into the game. The second was the power-play goal that forced overtime, making it 2-2 with only 1:34 left in the third period. Through four World U-18 games, Boqvist has three goals and three assists. His 25 shots on goal rank second in the tournament, and he is tied for the scoring lead among defensemen. (Note: Eighth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
OLOF LINDBOM -- Lindbom took the loss in overtime, as Canada beat the Swedes 3-2, but he was outstanding again at the World Under-18's. He made 37 saves -- stopping all 12 shots in the first period, 11 of 12 in the second, 12 of 13 in the third, and two of three in OT. He finished the preliminary round 2-0-1, not allowing more than to goals in a game. His save percentage is now at an eye-popping .949, as his draft stock keeps rising. (Note: Fifth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
NIKLAS NORDGREN -- Finland's dynamic 5-foot-9 winger, who spent some time in the Liege this season, continued to dominate the World Under-18's. He scored two goals on five shots in the Finns' 4-2 win over the Czech Republic, capping of back-to-back two-goal games. His first goal came 35 seconds into the middle period to open the scoring. His other goal came on a 5-on-3 power play later in the period at 17:03, making it a 4-0 game. Nordgren has had multiple points in all four of his tournament games with six goals and two assists overall. (Note: Sixth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
IVAN PROSVETOV -- Some NHL teams must be kicking themselves over failing to draft Prosvetov in 2017. They Youngstown Phantoms goaltender added to his remarkable USHL playoff run by leading his team to a 3-0 shutout at Dubuque to seep the best-of-5 second-round series. The game's No. 2 star made 12 first-period saves, 13 in the second, and 11 in the third for a total of 36. He is now 3-0 in the playoffs, having allowed only three goals on 102 shots for a .970 save percentage. Ranked No. 31 by Central Scouting last year, he's a lock to be taken this time. (Note: Fourth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
OLIVIER RODRIGUE -- Rodrigue is using the World Under-18 Championship to show why he's the top North American goaltender in his draft class despite his QMJHL playoff misfortune. His 29 saves -- including a dramatic one early in overtime -- paced Canada to a 3-2 win over Sweden and enabled the Canadians to finish the preliminary round unbeaten. Rodrigue stopped nine of 10 first-period shots, all nine in the second, 10 of 11 in the third and that one big save in OT. He was won both of his starts with a .956 save percentage. (Note: 16th appearance on this list in 2017-18)