Team Canada has reached the semifinals of the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer, Alberta. The event is a summer under-18 hockey tournament administered by Hockey Canada, the Czech Ice Hockey Association and the Slovakian Ice Hockey Federation.
In Group A action, Canada had an undefeated record of three wins and zero losses. They defeated Switzerland 14-0, Slovakia 9-1 and Sweden 3-0.
In the win over Switzerland, three Canadian players had standout performances. Sherbrooke Phoenix right winger Ethan Gauthier had a hat trick, while Oshawa Generals centre Calum Ritchie of Brampton, Ontario had one goal and three assists for four points, and Guelph Storm defenseman Cameron Allen of Toronto, Ontario had four assists.
In the win over Slovakia, Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Yager of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan had two goals and two assists for four points. In the win over Sweden, Canada got goals from Winnipeg Ice forward Zachary Benson of Langley, British Columbia, Ritchie, and Yager.
In net, Scott Ratzlaff of Irma, Alberta had two shutouts. He made 17 saves in the shutout against Switzerland on Sunday and 18 saves in the shutout against Sweden on Wednesday.
Canada will play Finland in the first of two semifinals. The Czech Republic plays Sweden in the other semifinal.
