9 WHL PLAYERS WIN BRONZE WITH CANADA’S U18

BRNO, Czech Republic – Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team has won the bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, defeating Finland 5-4 in overtime in Sunday’s third-place game.

The bronze medal is the fourth medal all-time for Canada at the world championship, including two gold medals (2003, 2008) and one silver (2005).

Canada finished the preliminary round in third place in Group A with a 2-2 record. It advanced past Russia 4-2 in the quarter-finals before dropping a 2-1 decision to the United States in Friday’s semifinal.

On Sunday, Hunter Shinkaruk (Calgary, Alta./Medicine Hat, WHL) scored a hat trick to lead the Canadian offence, while Sam Reinhart (West Vancouver, B.C./Kootenay, WHL) and Brendan Gaunce (Markham, Ont./Belleville, OHL) also had goals.

Mathew Dumba (Calgary, Alta./Red Deer, WHL) had three assists for Canada, finishing the tournament with 12 points. Dumba was the tournament’s top scorer and was named Top Defenceman by the IIHF directorate.

The United States won the gold medal, their fourth in a row at the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, beating Sweden 7-0 in the final.