Breakthrough performance from Preston pushes Canada White to semifinals at 2024 U17 World Challenge

Sarnia, Ont. – Spokane Chiefs forward Mathis Preston played the hero, scoring twice to launch Canada White to a 4-2 victory over Finland and a berth in the semifinals at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

Preston, who hails from Penticton, B.C., struck twice during the second period of play – once on the man advantage and again at even strength. His power-play tally stood up as the eventual game-winning goal.

The 5-foot-11, 168-pound Preston registered his second goal of the game to give Canada White a commanding 4-1 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish as they booked a ticket to the semifinal stage of the tournament.

Thursday represented a breakthrough performance for Preston as the two strikes were his first of the event. The highly-skilled forward was the third overall pick of the Chiefs in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and tallied 10 points (7G-3A) in 14 WHL games with the Chiefs this season prior to representing Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck (Osoyoos, B.C.) provided the primary assist on Preston’s power-play goal, while Victoria Royals defenceman Keaton Verhoeff (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.) chipped in with the primary assist on Preston’s even-strength tally.

For Ruck, it was his third assist in as many games, while Verhoeff has secured helpers in back-to-back contests.

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Earlier in the day, Kelowna Rockets forward Kalder Varga and the United States completed a dramatic comeback, erasing a three-goal deficit to knock off Czechia by a 4-3 margin and advance to the semifinal at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

Czechia appeared to have a stranglehold on the tilt, leading 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. A quick strike 14 seconds into the third period got things going for the U.S., as they eventually managed to tie the game with four seconds to go in regulation.

A mere 32 seconds of overtime was all that was required as the U.S. stunned Czechia.

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Semifinal action at the 2024 U17 World Challenge will be contested Friday, with Canada White taking on Sweden (1:30 p.m. MT) and the United States facing Canada Red (5:30 p.m. MT).