Three WHLers score, Canada to play for gold at 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Edmonton, Alta.– Canada’s quest for gold will continue after a semifinal victory over the United States at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Vancouver Giants forward Cameron Schmidt opened the scoring while Victoria Royals standout Cole Reschny and WHL Rookie of the Year Gavin McKenna added some insurance as the Canadians iced a 5-1 win.
Schmidt parked himself on the doorstep of the U.S. net with Canada on a first-period powerplay and corralled a bouncing puck past the American netminder to break the ice at 15:05.
The tally stands as the Vancouver Giants Rookie of the Year’s third of the tournament, with assists going to Canadian Captain Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters, OHL) and Emile Guite (Chicoutimi Sagueneens, QMJHL).
Third of the tournament for the @WHLGiants' Cameron Schmidt and 🇨🇦 strikes first in their #HlinkaGretzkyCup semi-final! pic.twitter.com/xRWl8dfNGa
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) August 10, 2024
Defenceman Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Sagueneens, QMJHL) would double the lead after serving a penalty for hooking early in the second period, hopping out of the box, picking up a puck and converging on the opponent’s net to snag his third tally of the event with a short-side wrister.
With Canada holding a narrow 2-1 lead in the second period, Calgary Hitmen forward Benjamin Kindel made a fantastic solo effort to keep the puck in the offensive zone before burying a five-hole shot from the high slot, though the goal would be called back for goaltender interference.
The Canucks’ top WHL line of Gavin McKenna, Cole Reschny and Schmidt went back to work in the late goings of the middle frame, with Reschny receiving a pass from McKenna, evading his check, driving through the high slot and ripping a shot home to restore the two-goal lead.
Reschny, who hails from Macklin, Sask., now has a team-leading three goals and four assists for seven points in four games at the tournament.
The WHL line goes to work again 🫡
2025 NHL Draft eligible Cole Reschny makes it 3-1 with assists going to WHL Rookie of the Year Gavin McKenna and @WHLGiants Rookie of the Year Cameron Schmidt 🇨🇦@victoriaroyals | @tigershockey https://t.co/7Kgbr3trGT
— The WHL (@TheWHL) August 10, 2024
Luca Romano (Kitchener Rangers, OHL) put the game out of reach late in the third period with an empty-netter, but Canada still had more highlight-reel moves in the tank.
Enter Gavin McKenna.
The Medicine Hat Tigers star and WHL Rookie of the Year did it all himself on a late powerplay with a sensational top-shelf backhand move. Calgary Hitmen winger Benjamin Kindel provided a secondary assist on the play.
With a 5-1 victory in the books, Canada will fight for a third-straight gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Canadian netminder Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads, OHL) turned aside 28 shots to preserve the victory.
Despite the loss, American Captain Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings) was named the United States’ Player of the Game, with Schaefer earning Player of the Game for the Canucks.
Canada will face Czechia in Saturday’s gold-medal match at 6:00 p.m. MST on Saturday, with Fiddler and the United States battling Sweden for bronze at 1:30 p.m. MST.
2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Notes:
Freshly signed Kamloops Blazers forward Vit Vahejsky recorded two goals and an assist in Czechia’s 5-1 semifinal victory over Sweden. The 16-year-old- who turns 17 on Saturday- now has four goals and three assists in four contests at the tournament… Calgary Hitmen forward Robin Svancara contributed an assist… Portland Winterhawks netminder Ondrej Stebetak was named player of the game with 18 saves on 19 shots for a .947 save percentage.
