Why do Sweden succed in U18 but not in U20 the last 8 years?

[Eye of Ra]

U18: 3 finals in 4 years. Gold 2019 and 2022.

U20: Constant failures

 

[WarriorofTime]

Variance

 

[Predatore]

- Canada missing far too many of their top guns
- We have been quite lucky at U18 and the opposite at U20
- Coaching, the U20 team has not been able to create as much offensively. More defensive minded play

….Could be three out of many reasons. But tbh, the teams are so close at the top and often games have ended in shootouts at U20. One extra goal/save and this discussion would be less relevant.

Sweden should be able to dress very strong teams at the u20 the next two seasons, so I guess we’ll see how it goes. Next year’s team should be like 50-60% underagers with the lack of offensive talent among the 06’s, but will still be very competitive.

 

[ORRFForever]

There is no way to explain the lack of Gold Medal success for Sweden at the WJR's.

It's like Canada's inability to produce elite goalies... It makes NO sense.

 

[WarriorofTime]

There is no way to explain the lack of Gold Medal success for Sweden at the WJR's.

It's like Canada's inability to produce elite goalies... It makes NO sense.

Ivankovic may be the guy to break that.

I think Sweden is due for a gold medal. I could see this group of 07s winning when they are the main age group (19 years old). Of course Canada will have a great age group as well but could have guys like Schaefer, Misa, McKenna all in the nhl by then.

Looking at prior age years that won for Sweden at U18, I think Americans had better talent in the 01s and 04s. The 01 Americans had a game “stolen” against them by a terrific goaltender in Askarov in the semi finals, which cleared the way for Sweden to beat Russia in final. Two years later the American 01s got the job done in the WJC. Then the 04 Americans were similarly loaded but I think Augustine (who was only 16 that year) blew it in the gold medal game. Obviously Sweden won fair and square. But many of the same players participated in the U20 final and the Americans got their revenge.

This year though? Sweden had a better and more talented roster than USA at the U18. No question about at it. They deserved to win and they’ll in all likelihood continue to be a much better team in two years.

 

[hockey20000]

based on the age group coming sweden wins 1 gold for sure in next 3 years at under 20 world juinors if not 2.

 

[fredligh]

You could say it's just puck luck, but there's also a strong argument that coaching has been lacking in the U20 team. From a spectator’s point of view, it often seems like they burn out during the group stage, while teams like Canada and the U.S. manage to cruise through the group stage and then go all-in during the knockout rounds.