For the second straight year, Canada has defeated Czechia in the gold-medal game at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
After a 3-2 overtime win over Czechia last year, Canada secured a 2-1 regulation victory this time, marking their third consecutive gold at the tournament.
Forwards Liam Kilfoil and Caleb Desnoyers each scored in the first period, while goaltender Jack Ivankovic made 18 saves and was named player of the match for Canada.
Czech forward Tomas Poletin scored his team’s lone goal on a power play with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game.
Canada secured their spot in the gold-medal game with a 5-1 semifinal win over the United States, who later fell 6-3 to Sweden in the bronze-medal match earlier on Saturday.
The 2024 edition of the tournament took place in Edmonton from Aug. 5-10.