Canada opens Ivan Hlinka with 4-0 win over Czech Republic
BRECLAV, Czech Republic – Canada’s men’s under-18 team opened the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament with a 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Monday.
Spencer Watson (Kingston Frontenacs) scored on a penalty shot for Canada, which also got goals from Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa Generals), Haydn Fleury (Red Deer Rebels) and Daniel Audette (Sherbrooke Phoenix).
Goaltender Julio Billia (Chicoutimi Sagueneens) earned a shutout stopping 13 shots and was named Canada’s Player of the Game.
Captain Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts) finished the game with two assists. Dal Colle also added an assist to finish the game with two points, while Robby Fabbri (Guelph Storm) tallied one assist.
Canada next plays Sweden on Tuesday. The Swedes opened the tournament with a 3-2 loss to Switzerland on Monday. Elsewhere, Finland edged the United States 3-2 in overtime and Russia beat Slovakia 2-1. Paul Bittner (Portland Winterhawks) scored once for the United States, with goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Plymouth Whalers) making 17 saves despite the loss.