2018 World Junior A Challenge

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

Tournament Games

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

Team	GP	W	OW	OL	L	GF	GA	Pts
Russia	4	4	0	0	0	16	8	12
United States	4	2	0	1	1	15	11	7
Canada West	4	1	1	1	1	12	10	6
Czech Republic	4	1	1	0	2	13	14	5
Canada East	4	0	0	0	4	9	22	0

Playoff Rounds

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