IIHF U18: USA Claims Bronze in OT Thriller Over Slovakia

The United States captured the bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF World Men’s U18 Championship with a thrilling 4–3 overtime win over Slovakia. Forward Ben Kevan played the hero, scoring just over five minutes into the extra frame to secure the Americans’ fourth consecutive medal at the tournament.

First Period

The opening frame saw both teams feeling each other out, with few high-danger chances generated early. Team USA outshot Slovakia 14–8 and found the scoreboard first when defenseman Blake Fiddler’s long-range shot slipped through traffic and snuck five-hole on Slovak goaltender Michal Pradel.

GOAL (11:53): Blake Fiddler (USA) – Even Strength | Assists: Asher Barnett, Will Moore

The Americans carried a 1–0 lead into the first intermission.

Second Period

Slovakia responded strongly in the second, turning the game around with two goals in quick succession. Michal Svrcek tied the game with a clean finish from the slot. Just under two minutes later, Svrcek struck again with a short-side shot off a faceoff win.

GOAL (37:29): Michal Svrcek (SVK) – Even Strength | Assists: Jan Chovan, Timothy Kazda

Both goals were set up by Jan Chovan, who played a key playmaking role throughout the period. Slovakia outshot the Americans 12–6 and carried a 2–1 lead into the third.

Third Period

Team USA wasted little time equalizing in the final frame. Just over a minute in, Jacob Kvasnicka redirected a pass from Will Moore.

GOAL (41:13): Jacob Kvasnicka (USA) – Even Strength | Assist: Will Moore

Later in the period, a power play opportunity allowed Team USA to strike again as Cole McKinney fired a quick shot off the post and in.

GOAL (52:34): Cole McKinney (USA) – Power Play | Assists: Will Moore, Donny Bracco

Slovakia answered almost immediately when Jan Chovan finished off a rush to tie the game.

GOAL (53:13): Jan Chovan (SVK) – Even Strength | Assists: Matus Lisy, Timothy Kazda

Regulation ended with both teams deadlocked and everything on the line in overtime.

Overtime

Overtime began with a flurry of U.S. chances. Cullen Potter danced around a defender but couldn’t finish, and Jacob Kvasnicka struck the post on a breakaway. On the other end, Patrick Quinlan made a critical save on a Slovak 2-on-1 to keep the Americans alive. At 65:37, Ben Kevan jumped on a loose puck in the slot and ripped it far side past Pradel to seal the win and the bronze medal.

GOAL (65:37): Ben Kevan (USA) – Even Strength | Assists: Mikey Berchild, Garrett Lindberg

Goaltender Summary

Players of the Game

Team Stats