2018 World Junior A Challenge



The 2018 World Junior A Challenge is an international Junior "A" ice hockey tournament organized by Hockey Canada. It is being hosted in Bonnyville, Alberta from December 9–16, 2018, at the R. J. Lalonde Arena . This is the 13th edition of the tournament.

The format of the tournament has been changed from a six team two pool round robin to a five team single pool round robin with teams playing each other once.

Teams

 * 🇨🇦 Canada East (13th Appearance, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze)
 * 🇨🇦 Canada West (14th Appearance, 5 championships, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze)
 * 🇷🇺 Russia (13th Appearance, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze)
 * 🇺🇸 United States (12th Appearance, 7 championships, 1 silver, 3 Bronze)
 * Czech Republic (7th Appearance, 1 bronze)

Background

 * Canada East, Canada West, Czech Republic, Russia, and United States all return
 * Switzerland is not participating due to the reduction in the number of teams.

Exhibition Games

 * Russia vs Canada West
 * United States defeated Canada East 3-1
 * Czech Republic vs Bonnyville Pontiacs

December 9th

 * Russia defeated Canada East 5-3
 * Canada West defeated United States 2-1 (SO)

December 10th

 * Russia defeated Czech Republic 4-2
 * Canada West defeated Canada East 6-1

December 11th

 * United States defeated Czech Republic 4-2

December 12th

 * United States defeated Canada East 7-3
 * Russia defeated Canada West 3-0

December 13th

 * Czech Republic defeated Canada West 5-4 (SO)

December 14th

 * Russia defeated United States 4-3
 * Czech Republic defeated Canada East 4-2

Standings
The top four teams in the standings advance to the semifinals

Semifinals

 * Russia defeated Czech Republic 4-1
 * United States defeated Canada West 3-2 (OT)

Bronze Medal Game

 * Canada West defeated Czech Republic 3-1

Gold Medal Game

 * United States defeated Russia 2-0