USA Hockey keeps hot streak alive, win men’s Youth Olympic Games tournament
The United States of America have won gold at the 2024 men’s Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea, beating Czechia 4-0 on Wednesday.
The Americans went 3-0-1-0 through four games, never dropping a game in regulation. The tournament features some of the game’s top U-16 players, with most North American players set to begin their USHL or CHL careers next season.
The 2024 edition was the fourth in tournament history, with USA winning its third consecutive medal. It’s their second gold after beating Canada 5-2 in 2016 before losing 4-0 to Matvei Michkov and Russia in 2020.
Mikey Berchild scored the first period’s lone goal, with Logan Stuart doubling the advantage early in the second. Goals from Parker Trottier and Zane Torre helped put the game out of reach in the third, with goaltender Xavier Wendt stopping all 29 shots sent his way to complete the shutout.
Earlier in the day, Finland beat Canada 5-4 to take bronze – their first medal since winning gold back in 2012.
Over in the women’s tournament, Sweden shut out Japan 4-0 for gold for their third gold medal in four attempts. Japan won the last meeting between the two teams in the 2020 gold medal game.
The Youth Olympic Games serves as one of the first major events in a scouting cycle. Held every four years, some notable alum include Michkov, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Andrei Svechnikov, Jack Eichel, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nick Schmaltz, Frank Nazar, Matthew Savoie, Joakim Kemell and Kaapo Kahkonen.
USA’s victory caps off an incredible month for the nation’s hockey programs. USA won gold at the World Junior Championship in Sweden before winning the U-18 women’s World Championship a few weeks later. USA also won gold at the women’s World Championship last year in Brampton, beating the hosts from Canada in a dominant second-half performance before taking gold at the U-18 men’s World Championship a few weeks later.
Last month, USA Hockey won the Para Hockey Cup title after going undefeated.