GOING FOR GOLD

The line of Joel Farabee (Cicero, N.Y./USAH NTDP), Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla./USAH NTDP), and Oliver Wahlstrom(Quincy, Mass./USAH NTDP) combined for two goals and five points in the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team’s 4-1 victory against the Czech Republic here today in the semifinal of the 2018 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship at Traktor Ice Rink.

With the victory, the U.S. secured its place in the gold-medal game to be played tomorrow (April 29). Team USA will face Finland, the top-seeded team following the preliminary round. The game will be a rematch of last year's gold-medal game, which the U.S. secured by a score of 4-2. The U.S. is seeking its 11th gold medal.

FARABEE AND WAHLSTROM CLIMB INTO RECORD BOOKS

Forward Oliver Wahlstrom has cracked the top five list for goals scored by U.S. skaters during this tournament. Wahlstrom scored four goals in last year's tournament, bringing his career total to 11. Wahlstrom is now in sole possession of fourth all-time and needs one more goal to tie Jeremy Morin's (2007 & 2008/SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers) mark of 12. Phil Kessel (2004 & 2005/Pittsburgh Penguins) holds the U.S. record with 16 goals in 12 games. He also recently moved into a tie with teammate Joel Farabee for eighth place all-time for tournament points with 14 in 13 career games. They recently passed the likes of Kailer Yamamoto (2016/Edmonton Oilers), Jeremy Bracco (2015/Toronto Marlies), James van Riemsdyk (2006 & 2007/Toronto Maple Leafs) among others.

Photo by Rena Laverty

In February, Spencer Statsney (Mequon, Wis./USAH NTDP) was profiled discussing his future in college hockey and final year at the NTDP. When talking about the Under-18 Men’s World Championship, the University of Notre Dame commit noted, “We want to keep winning and keep developing until we get to Russia and win gold there,” he said. “It’s incredible [to know what we have to do]. USA teams, for the most part, have not been too successful in Russia. We want to show that USA can win anywhere.”

Stastney scored a goal and an assist in today's semifinal game and is set to compete in tomorrow's gold-medal game. To read more about Spencer’s thoughts on representing Team USA, click here. Scroll below to see some of his ‘Favorites.’