By Canadian Press

Big third period spurs Canada to 9-1 win over Swiss in Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Aug 12, 2025 | 1:44 PM

BRNO — Mathis Preston’s hat trick led Canada’s eight-goal third period in a 9-1 win over Switzerland at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Tuesday.

It was Canada’s second win in as many days to start the annual summer international men’s under-18 hockey tournament after opening with a 5-3 victory over Finland.

Canada (2-0) takes on host Czechia on Wednesday at Brno’s Winning Group Arena.

Dimian Zhilkin and Adam Valentini each scored twice, with one of Zhilkin’s two goals produced on the power play.

Canada’s goaltender Carter Esler made 14 saves as the Swiss were outshot 45-15 in the game.

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Ethan Belchetz and Ryan Lin each contributed a goal and an assist. Markus Ruck and Thomas Rousseau each had two assists.

“We took a step forward today, and it was another good lesson for our group,” said head coach Mathieu Turcotte. “We have to stick with it even when we are not scoring. We had a lot of shots after two periods, and we made some line adjustments after the second.”

Preston, who plays for the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs, and Medicine Hat Tigers twin brothers Markus and Liam Ruck, were Canada’s catalysts in the third period, Turcotte said.

The three forwards played on a line together in the under-17 World Challenge “so we figured we might as well give that line a shot today,” the coach said.

Up 1-0 heading into the third period, Canada scored four goals in a span of two minutes 21 seconds, starting with Preston’s first of the game at 6:18.

The Penticton, B.C., player scored again at 8:40 and completed his hat trick at 13:59.

“We knew we needed to take our game to another level, and in the room after the second period, we tried to keep things positive,” Valentini said.

“After we got the early goal in the third, we kept pushing each other and did not give up. We want to win gold here, and everyone on our team knows that the guys that are working hard and playing well are going to be trusted by the coaches to be on the ice in the important moments.”

Canada seeks a fourth straight gold medal in the eight-country tournament.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2025.

The Canadian Press