WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Canada Blanks Slovakia 6-0

Published on April 18, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


KAZAN, Russia - Matt Duchene (Haliburton, ON/Brampton, OHL) scored a hat trick and Jake Allen (Fredericton, NB/St. John's, QMJHL) made 23 saves for his first shutout as Canada wrapped up preliminary round play at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with a 6-0 win over Slovakia on Friday.

Canada took advantage of an undisciplined Slovakian team, scoring three times on 11 powerplay opportunities - with all three man advantage goals coming off the stick of Duchene, who picked up Player of the Game honours. The victory means that Canada will face Finland in Sunday's quarterfinal. The game can be seen live on TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, beginning at 5:00 a.m. ET/2:00 a.m. PT.

"Today was an outstanding effort by our team," Duchene said following the win. "All three lines played very well, and our goalie was solid."

Allen wasn't tested for much of the game - 12 of his 23 saves came in the second period alone - but stood tall when necessary, recording Canada's first shutout at the world U18 championship since Jonathan Bernier made 22 saves in a 0-0 tie with Finland in 2006.

In addition to Duchene's hat trick, Canada got goals from captain Cody Hodgson (Markham, ON/Brampton, OHL), Jacob Lagacé (Beloeil, QC/Chicoutimi, QMJHL) and Greg Nemisz (Courtice, ON/Windsor, OHL) in the win, its fifth in as many games against Slovakia at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

"We played very well from top to bottom, which is what we'll need if we hope to contend for a gold medal," said Canadian head coach Pat Quinn. "We took advantage of the powerplays we were handed early, and that was big for us to get the momentum."

It took just 40 seconds for Canada to get on the board first, as Hodgson took a pass in the slot and beat Slovakian netminder Marek Ciliak - who was making his first appearance of the tournament.

The penalty parade started early for the Slovakians, but it took Canada until their fifth opportunity with the man advantage to convert, as Duchene picked up a loose puck and snapped the puck just under the crossbar for a 2-0 lead.

He added his second midway through the middle frame, redirecting a pass from Ryan Ellis (Freelton, ON/Windsor, ON) past Ciliak, and, after Lagacé had made it 4-0 just two minutes later, completed his hat trick by batting in a rebound on another Canadian powerplay with just under six minutes to go in the game.

Nemisz rounded out the scoring on a partial breakaway, sliding the puck past a sprawling Ciliak, who was named Slovakia's Player of the Game after a 31-save performance. Nemisz' third period goal was assisted by Brandon's two Wheat Kings participating - defenceman Colby Robak (Gilbert Plains, Manitoba) and 16-year old center Brayden Schenn (Saskatoon).

TSN/RDS will have coverage of the playoff round at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, through the gold medal game on Wednesday, April 23rd. Check your local listings for more information.

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