2001-02 National Men's Under-18 Team

April 14, 2002
Bratislava, Slovakia

Piestany, Slovakia- Canada's National Under 18 Team now has a 2 and 1 record at the 2002 IIHF World Under 18 Hockey Championship, after a 3-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday, in Piestany, Slovakia.

In front of a boisterous hometown crowd, Slovakia came out strong but Josh Harding, of Regina, SK, was up to the task and made two great saves in the early moments of the game. The Canadian forwards were quick to reward him, when Eric Staal stole the puck at the blueline and he and Ben Eager set up Jon Filewich, for his third goal of the tournament at 1:39.

Canada made it 2-0 on a powerplay, as Staal, of Thunder Bay, ON, walked out uncontested from the corner and beat goaltender Jaroslav Halak on a deke.

Slovakia wasn't going to give up and finally solved Harding on a powerplay in the second period when Michal Lukac tipped a point shot past him.

Canada restored its two-goal lead when Michaël Lambert fed Dylan Stanley who had a wide open net to score. Harding stole the show for the rest of the second period, with a number of terrific saves including a showstopper off Tomas Klempa on a breakaway. Thanks in large part to Harding's heroics, Canada led 3-1 through 2 periods. There was no scoring in the third, and Canada had it's second win of the Championship.

Canada is taking part in it's first ever World Under 18 Hockey Championship, and is made up of players born in 1984, presently not involved in the playoffs in either the CHL, university or Junior ?A? leagues. Canada's next game comes on Monday, April 15th as they face the Czech Republic.

Game Summary