In a game that might end up deciding who gets promoted, Germany defeated Ukraine 2-1 on an overtime goal by Lenny Boos on Day 3 of the IIHF U18 World Championship Division I Group A in Frederikshavn, Denmark.
It was the third game for both teams, who had each taken the maximum six points from their first two. The win gives Germany a one-point lead over Ukraine with two games remaining for both teams, but Germany’s schedule appears easier based on results so far.
Germany could wrap up promotion on Thursday with a win over Japan combined with a Ukrainian loss to Hungary.
At the other end of the standings, Wednesday’s nightcap in Frederikshavn featured host Denmark and Japan, two teams hoping to avoid relegation at this point. Tied 2-2 entering the third period, the Danes eventually prevailed 4-2 for their first win of the tournament. That’s somewhat of a disappointment for both teams, who finished second and third, respectively, at last year’s Division I Group A.
Last year Hungary was fourth, Ukraine fifth, and France in sixth was relegated. Kazakhstan won the tournament as was promoted to this year's top division, while Austria is the new team up from Division I Group B.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Germans are the class of this event. They have regularly competed in the top flight of the World Championships in all age categories, and this is the first year they’ve played below the top division at the under-18 level since 2019.
This German team has the only player of the tournament listed in the latest NHL Central Scouting rankings of draft-eligible international skaters: Clemens Sager of Eisbären Berlin at 129.
Interestingly, the tournament’s three top scorers so far with six points each are all 2007-born and aren’t yet eligible to be drafted this year. Germans David Lewandowski and Dustin Willhöft could both find themselves on 2025 draft lists and Austrian Leon Kolarik, who was born on September 23, won’t be eligible until 2026.
The last day of the tournament is Saturday. The 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship will be played April 25 to May 5 in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland. The 2025 U18 World Championship is scheduled to be held in the United States, with the host cities yet to be announced.