Raider defenceman Kaiden Guhle (centre) and Team Canada dropped a feisty Czech squad by a 7-1 score on Wednesday at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Breclav, Czech Republic. (Karel Svec/Hlinka Gretzky Cup)

By Trevor Redden

Czech mate

Raider duo advance to semifinal at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Aug 7, 2019 | 2:29 PM

Team Canada is off to the semifinal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup after finishing the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record.

Raider duo Kaiden Guhle and Ozzy Wiesblatt and their Canadian teammates defeated the Czech Republic 7-1 on Wednesday to wrap up an impressive round robin. It started on Monday with a 6-0 blanking of Finland, followed by an 8-0 drubbing of Switzerland Tuesday. Altogether, Canada finished in first place out of both groups, boasting a 21-1 goal differential heading into Friday’s semifinal match against Sweden [11 a.m., TSN].

The other semifinal will see Russia, the top seed in Group B, taking on Finland for a berth in Saturday’s gold medal game.

Also on Friday, USA and Czech Republic will meet in the fifth-place game while Slovakia and Switzerland battle for seventh.

Through three games, Canada is led by forward Hendrix Lapierre [Chicoutimi, QMJHL] with three goals and six assists for nine points. Close behind him is Cole Perfetti [Saginaw, OHL] who leads the team with five goals along with two assists for seven points.

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The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an annual international competition showcasing the best under-18 talent in the world, with many participants expected to be selected in the 2020 NHL Draft. The tournament has traditionally been dominated by Canada, with the red and white picking up 10 of the last 11 gold medals.

Leadership group

Ahead of the tournament, Guhle was chosen as one of three members of Team Canada’s leadership group, designated as an alternate captain. Also chosen were captain Jamie Drysdale [Erie Otters, OHL] and alternate Jake Neighbours [Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL].