The Czech hockey team defeated the United States 3:1 at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer, Canada. will decide the Group A winner tonight.
The Czechs made it to the top four teams at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for the first time since 2017, when they lost to Canada in the final in Břeclav. They finished fifth in 2018 and 2019, then the tournament was not held due to the coronavirus pandemic, and last year they took sixth place.
After a scoreless opening period, Jan Kučera opened the scoring after 117 seconds of the second half. He got between the circles to the rebounded puck after a throw from Adam Csabi and aimed right at the right post of Hampton Slukynsky’s goal. Goalkeeper Michael Hrabal remained shot-proof and in the 24th minute he was helped by the post after Carey Terrance’s backhand bluff.
In the 45th minute, the choice of coach Jakub Petr was again happy, when Jan Šprynar converted Eduard Šalé’s pass during the renumbering. Just in 58 seconds Quentin Musty lowered. In the 55th minute, the Americans went for the power play in a power play, and Jakub Dvořák secured the lead in an empty net.
Clay Gretzky Cup hockey players under 18 in Red Deer (Canada):
Group A:
Canada – Slovenia 9:1 (2:0, 4:0, 3:1).
Table:
| 1. | You have | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23:1 | 6 |
| 2. | Sweden | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13:4 | 6 |
| 3. | Slovakia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2:13 | 0 |
| 4. | Switzerland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3:23 | 0 |
Group B:
Czechia – USA 3:1 (0:0, 1:0, 2:1)
Goal: 22. Kučera, 45. Šprynar, 55. J. Dvořák – 46. Musty.
Germany – Finland 1:4 (0:2, 0:2, 1:0).
Final table:
| 1. | Czechia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14:6 | 8 |
| 2. | Finland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11:6 | 7 |
| 3. | USA | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10:8 | 3 |
| 4. | Germany | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4:19 | 0 |
