Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Day 1

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an annual international under-18 ice hockey tournament that features some of the best young players from around the world. Named after legendary hockey figures Ivan Hlinka and Wayne Gretzky, the tournament is a showcase for rising stars and is considered one of the premier events for scouting young talent.

Sweden - Slovakia 4-3 (OT)

In an electrifying match, the home team triumphed over their opponents with a final score of 4-3, thanks to a decisive overtime goal.

The game kicked off with a bang as Filip Ekberg of Team Sweden netted the first goal just 2 minutes and 10 seconds into the match, setting the tone for an intense contest. The momentum stayed with the home team when Viktor Klingsell, assisted by Ivar Stenberg and Axel Bröngel-Larsson, doubled their lead at 22:13.

Team Slovakia clawed their way back into the game during a power play at 26:17, with Tobias Tomík finding the back of the net, assisted by Andreas Straka and Ján Chovan, to make it 2-1. However, Sweden responded strongly. During their own power play at 31:37, Jakob Ihs Wozniak scored with the help of Viggo Björck and Viktor Klingsell, restoring their two-goal lead.

The third period saw a spirited comeback from the Slovakian side. Tomas Tomaskovic narrowed the gap to 3-2 at 51:15, followed by Timothy Kazda's equalizer at 54:06, which brought the score to 3-3 and sent the game into overtime.

In the nail-biting overtime period, it was again Filip Ekberg who rose to the occasion. Assisted by Viktor Klingsell and Hugo Hallin, Ekberg scored the game-winning goal at 63:31, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory for Team Sweden.

Ekberg’s outstanding performance, including the game-winning goal, made him the hero of the match, while Klingsell's playmaking abilities were crucial in several key moments. This victory showcases Sweden's resilience and determination in the face of a fierce Slovakian comeback.

Finland - Germany 1-2 (OT)

In an intense matchup that extended into overtime, Germany emerged victorious over Finland with a final score of 2-1. The game was a display of defensive prowess and clutch performances, with Germany's comeback sealing the win in the extra period.

The first period saw Finland and Germany both holding their ground defensively, ending with no goals despite several attempts. Germany outshot Finland 10-7, but neither team managed to break the deadlock.

The second period brought the first breakthrough. At 20:12, Max Westergård, assisted by Jasu Mensonen and Lasse Boelius, scored to give Finland a 1-0 lead. The goal energized Finland, who then outshot Germany 12-9 in this period.

In the third period, Finland ramped up their offensive efforts, outshooting Germany 16-6. Their persistence didn't pay off. Instead, at 56:53 Sebastian Zwickl, assisted by Gustavs Griva, scored to tie the game 1-1, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime was tense, but Germany seized the opportunity quickly. At 62:24, Gustavs Griva, with assists from Rihards Griva and Noah Smith, scored the game-winning goal, clinching a 2-1 victory for Germany.

The goaltenders played a pivotal role in this tight contest. Finland's Patrik Kerkola made 25 saves on 27 shots, finishing with a save percentage of 92.59%. On the other side, Germany's Lukas Stuhrmann was exceptional, stopping 34 of 35 shots, resulting in an impressive save percentage of 97.14%.

Key players for Finland included Max Westergård, who scored their lone goal, and Jasu Mensonen and Lasse Boelius, who provided the assists. For Germany, Gustavs Griva was the standout with a goal and an assist, while Sebastian Zwickl's timely goal forced the overtime.

Czechia - USA 2-1

At Rogers Place, Czechia claimed a thrilling 2-1 victory over Team USA in a Group B. The match was characterized by fierce competition and standout performances, with Czechia managing to come from behind to secure the win.

At 5:00 into the first period, Matthew Grimes opened the scoring with a goal from the red line, assisted by Carter Murphy, giving the USA an early 1-0 lead. The Americans outshot Czechia 10-4 in this period, showcasing their offensive dominance.

However, Czechia turned the tables in the second period. They came out strong, outshooting the USA 13-7. At 32:56 Adam Novotny, assisted by Adam Benak and Radim Mrtka, scored to tie the game at 1-1.

The third period was a defensive battle, with the USA outshooting Czechia 14-4. Despite this, Czechia's Ondrej Stebetak stood tall in goal, stopping all 14 shots he faced. The decisive moment came at 56:13 when David Rozsival scored the game-winning goal for Czechia, with assists from Adam Novotny and Adam Benak.

Czechia’s Ondrej Stebetak was outstanding in netafter the first goal, making 30 saves on 31 shots, finishing with a save percentage of 96.77%.

Team USA forward Sam Kappell left the game in the third period as he was not included on the United States game sheet.

Canada - Switzerland 10-0

The Canadians set the tone early, with Quinn Beauchesne opening the scoring just over seven minutes into the game, assisted by Braeden Cootes and Gavin McKenna. This was followed by a power play goal from McKenna at 11:43, with assists from Matthew Schaefer and Émile Guité. Guité himself made it 3-0 at 18:17, capping off a commanding first period that saw Canada outshoot Switzerland 21-4.

The second period continued in the same vein, with Canada adding four more goals. Peyton Kettles scored at 22:50, followed by Schaefer's first of two goals at 27:01, assisted by Alex Huang and Cole Reschny. Schaefer struck again at 35:23, and Huang extended the lead to 7-0 just before the period ended at 39:53. The Canadians dominated the period with an 18-8 shot advantage.

In the final period, Canada added three more goals to their tally. Émile Guité scored his second goal at 48:49, assisted by Reschny and Beauchesne. Reschny then scored twice in the final minutes, at 52:03 and 59:08, sealing the 10-0 win. Canada continued to pressure Switzerland throughout the period, outshooting them 11-8.

Canadian goaltender Jack Ivankovic was flawless, stopping all 20 shots he faced for a shutout. Swiss goaltender Matia Nico Birchler faced a barrage of shots, making 40 saves but conceding 10 goals in a tough outing.

Canada's offensive explosion was led by Cole Reschny, who had two goals and three assists, and Matthew Schaefer, who added two goals and an assist. The entire Canadian lineup contributed to the comprehensive victory, showcasing their depth and skill.

With this win, Canada showcased their prowess in the tournament, while Switzerland will need to regroup and strategize for their upcoming games. The Canadian team's performance was a testament to their preparation and execution, leaving no doubt about their intentions in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

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