HUBERDEAU, CANADA GOING FOR GOLD

First it was the World Junior Hockey Championships. Then it was the Winter Olympics. Now, the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka under-18 hockey tournament will have a similar story line.

Canada and the United States will face each other in the gold medal game of the under-18 event tomorrow morning at 10:00 am ADT in Piestany, Slovakia. The game can be followed – but not watched or heard – on the Hockey Canada website.

The Canadian squad finished the prelimary portion of the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record. They advanced to the Gold Medal game today with a 6-2 win over the Czech Republic.

Lucas Lessio had a pair of goals for the winners while single markers came from Alan Quine, Matt Puempel, Brett Ritchie, and Garrett Meurs.

Tyson Teichmann stopped 15 shots to pick up the semi-final win. Canada sent 31 pucks towards the Slovakian net.

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Jonathan Huberdeau was held pointless in the game. Thus far, the sophomore QMJHL standout has three assists in the tournament.

The Scouting Report recently had a feature on the forwards playing for Canada at this prestigious event. (Stick tap to @nhldraftvideo for tweeting this).

“Huberdeau is a small, smart, and skilled player,” writes the website. “He wasn’t flashy, but he played a little more of a complete game than some of the other comparable small, skill forwards.”

The United States advanced to the Gold Medal game with a 5-4 overtime win over Sweden earlier today.