
Rockets Forward Szturc Scores Game Winner In Czechia's Opener
August 9, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kelowna Rockets forward Gabriel Szturc lifted Czechia to a 5-4 tournament-opening victory over Slovakia on Tuesday at the 2022 World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alta.
It was a wild game that saw Czechia fall behind 2-0 before the ten-minute mark of the opening frame before answering with four unanswered goals. Down 4-2 late in the third, Slovakia rallied back with two goals on the power play to tie the game late.
With time ticking away in regulation, Szturc drove down the right wing and cut around a defender, beating netminder Simon Latkoczy with a high shot over his glove to score the game-winner with 1:50 left on the clock.
Szturc finished the game with a goal, two penalty minutes, three shots on net and a +1 plus/minus rating.
Fellow CHL players Jan Mysak (Hamilton), Michal Gut (Everett), Martin Rysavy (Moose Jaw), Matyas Sapovaliv (Saginaw) also scored for Czechia.
Szturc and Czechia will face Finland on Thursday at 11:00 am PT, you can watch the game on TSN.
Images from this story
![]() Forward Gabriel Szturc with Czechia (Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images) |
Western Hockey League Stories from August 9, 2022
- Rockets Forward Szturc Scores Game Winner In Czechia's Opener - Kelowna Rockets
- 'Keep Portland Weird' with the Winterhawks - Portland Winterhawks
- Americans Acquire Rights to Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Jalen Luypen from Edmonton - Tri-City Americans
- Oil Kings Acquire Forward Rhett Melnyk and Defenceman Bryson Andregg from Tri-City - Edmonton Oil Kings
- ICE Acquire Wood - Winnipeg Ice
- Hurricanes Trade Wood to ICE - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Oil Kings Hire Serge Lajoie as Assistant Coach - Edmonton Oil Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Kelowna Rockets Stories
- Rockets Captain Max Graham Signs First Pro Contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Mazden Leslie Set to Join the Rockets for 2025-26 Season
- Rockets Sign 2025 Second-Round Pick Joel Ngandu to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement
- Rockets Sign 2025 Second-Round Pick Remy Koch to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement
- Rockets Sign 2025 First-Round Pick Will Kelts to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement

