The United States squares off with Sweden for a spot in the IIHF U-18 Women’s World Championship gold medal game.

Team USA will face Sweden in a semifinal game at 8 a.m. ET (3 p.m. local) on Saturday, Jan. 11 (1/11/2025) at Vantaa Trio Arena in Finland.

In the other semifinal on Saturday, Canada clashes with Czechia. The winner there will face the winner of USA-Sweden on Sunday, while the losers clash in a bronze medal game.

USA vs. Sweden will air on NHL Network, and can be streamed live on fuboTV (free trial) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).

Here’s what you need to know:

What: IIHF U-18 Women’s World Championship semifinal

Who: USA vs. Sweden

When: 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 11

Where: Vantaa Trio Arena in Finland

TV: NHL Network

Channel finder: DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum

Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling (half off first month), Hulu + Live TV

Leading the charge for Sweden is Edit Danielsson, who has been on fire with four goals in four games. But she’s not just about scoring; her crucial goal-line save against Japan in the group stage kept her team in the game. Sweden’s depth is also impressive, with contributions from their third line. If the Tilde Grillfors line starts clicking and they get goals from players other than Edit, they’ll be a formidable opponent.

On the defensive end, Maja Helge is a rock for Sweden. Her calm and steady presence can frustrate any attacking team. However, she’ll have her hands full against the relentless force that is Team USA.

Team USA’s captain, Bella Fanale, is a whirlwind on the ice. Her standout moment came against Slovakian star Nela Lopusanova, where she showcased her speed, skill, and determination. Coach Liz Keady Norton praised her, saying, “If anyone’s wondering what Bella Fanale is about, they should watch those twelve seconds and have no more questions.”

Sweden will also have to solve the puzzle that is Morgan Stickney, Team USA’s goalie, who has only allowed one goal in the tournament. It’s a tall order, but if Sweden can weather the storm, they might just find a way through.

How can I stream the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships without cable?

Fans can sign up for a free trial of fuboTV (7-day free trial) or DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial) to watch NHL Network free during their free trial period.

Generative AI was used to create a draft of this game preview based on data provided by the IIHF. It was reviewed and edited by Advance Local.