RED DEER, Alta. – Scott Ratzlaff secured his second shutout in as many starts, making 18 saves, as finished the preliminary round at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a 3-0 win over Sweden on Wednesday night.

Calum Ritchie opened the scoring just over three minutes into the first period, putting away a loose puck for his second goal of the tournament. Canada outshot Sweden 17-6 through 20 minutes of play, 40-18 overall.

Zach Benson tallied just past the midway point of the game to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Brayden Yager buried his fourth of the tournament short side on the lone Canadian power play for the final score of the game before the end of the middle frame.

From there, Canada’s defence took over as the penalty-killing unit managed to hold the Swedish power play off the board on four chances. 

Yager and Ritchie both finished with a goal and an assist each; the duo have a tournament-leading eight points apiece through three games.

The win secured top spot in Group A for Canada; it will face Finland in the first semifinal on Friday evening at 5 p.m. MT. The Swedes will take on Czechia in the other final-four matchup (8:30 p.m. MT).