By Canadian Press

gold for rebels' ollie josephson

Canada beats Czechia 3-2 in overtime for 24th Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal

Aug 5, 2023 | 12:44 PM

BŘECLAV, Czechia — Forward Malcolm Spence scored a game-winner with seven seconds left in the first overtime period as Canada beat Czechia 3-2 to capture gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Saturday.

Spence stripped the puck off Czechia’s Ondrej Kos near centre ice in the extra frame before skating in on a breakaway and beating goaltender Jakub Milota.

It’s Canada’s 24th title at the men’s summer under-18 hockey tournament after also winning last year in Red Deer, Alta.

Czechia’s Adam Titlbach opened the scoring at 8:09 of the first period. The Canadians then replied with two goals in the second period to take the lead.

Kaden Lindstrom finished off a perfect pass from Porter Martone off the rush just under a minute into the frame. Captain Berkly Catton then scored a power-play goal off a scramble in front of the net at 9:17.

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: February 10-16, 2025

Feb 10, 2025

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: January 29-February 2, 2025

Jan 29, 2025

Canada held that lead with five minutes left in the third period before Czechia’s Matej Kubiesa scored on the power play to tie the game and force a three-on-three overtime.

Earlier Saturday, the United States won bronze with a 5-2 win over Finland.

rdnewsNOW note: Red Deer Rebels forward Ollie Josephson had two penalty minutes in the championship game, his only infraction of the tournament. The recently turned 17-year-old from Victoria, B.C. added three points — all assists — in the run-up to the gold medal matchup

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2023.

The Canadian Press

READ MORE: “Surreal,” says Rebels’ Kalan Lind as Canada wins gold at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.