The 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup semi-finals came about on Aug. 9 with two big-time matchups. The primary semi-final sport featured an undefeated Czechia group taking over Sweden, who was coming off their one-goal loss to Canada of their final preliminary sport. On the opposite aspect, the lengthy historical past of Canada and the USA had one other chapter written as they squared off. After two intense video games, Canada and Czechia are squaring off for the second straight 12 months within the championship sport.

Benák Continues to Lead the Means for Czechia

After changing into the all-time chief in factors within the match’s historical past, Adam Benák led the assault for Czechia towards Sweden. Whether or not he had the puck on his stick or not, he continued to be essentially the most noticeable participant on the ice. Though not the most important participant on the ice (5-foot-7, 157 kilos), Benák has proven he has no downside going to the areas of the ice that may result in him getting combined into the bodily play. He was one of many Czech’s finest all-around gamers, taking part in a ton of minutes on five-on-five and the particular groups. 

Benák’s robust play, in addition to the momentum he and the Czechia group constructed on the finish of the primary interval (thanks largely to him being all around the ice making an attempt to get his group again to a tie sport), carried into the second interval. They have been lastly in a position to break by way of on Swedish goalie Love Harenstam because of top-of-the-line pictures of the match off of Benáks stick. Ultimately, he would end with a purpose and an help within the win however he simply may have had extra on the stat sheet with how he may dominate and management the sport when he was on the ice.

Czechia Protection Shuts Down Stars of Sweden

With Sweden having one of many prime strains within the match, it will be troublesome for Czechia to hold them in test. After giving up the sport’s first purpose to the highest line of Viktor Klingsell, Ivar Stenberg, and Milton Gastrin, the Czechia protection appeared to determine how you can defend them. Between taking part in a robust, bodily sport defensively and conserving the Swedes out of the high-danger spots on the ice, the Czechia protection was robust as soon as once more. When challenged, goaltender Ondrej Stebetak appeared rock stable. He stays one of many match’s prime goalies and has not often been out of place. The robust play from the Czechia goalie ought to excite Portland Winterhawks (Western Hockey League) followers, as he will probably be heading there to play for the 2024-25 season. General, Czechia appeared to regulate the play from the second half of the primary interval by way of the tip of the sport with their all-around stable sport as a group. Viggo Bjorck was one of many Swedes’ most constant and impactful gamers, albeit not getting concerned within the scoring.

High Line Leads Canada’s Offense

In a matchup that by no means appears to disappoint, Canada and the USA once more performed a sport with excessive stakes. Traditionally, the Canadians have had extra success within the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and so they did as soon as once more, pulling out a 5-1 win over the People. After each groups’ fast, back-and-forth begin, Canada took benefit of their first powerplay, led once more by Cameron Schmidt, cashing in on a backdoor purpose off a shot that missed the online and bounced off the boards behind the USA internet. Schmidt, as soon as once more, was one in every of Canada’s most noticeable gamers. Very similar to Benák has been for Czechia, Schmidt has been all around the ice, making performs with and with out the puck in all three zones of the ice.

The 2-headed monster of Schmidt and 2026 Draft-eligible Gavin McKenna was additionally on show within the victory. As soon as once more, performing as Canada’s prime line with Cole Reschny, they appeared at all times to be buzzing within the offensive zone and feeding off each other play. There have been a number of instances when performs have been made by every of them that solely gamers of their caliber may make, leaving the followers astonished. With the highest line once more main the way in which for the Canadians, the offense appeared robust for the gold-medal game-bound group. It was in a position to crack by way of the powerful United States protection because of profiting from the People’ miscues within the impartial zone, resulting in scoring probabilities for Canada.

Ivankovic Out Duels Cameron

Jack Ivankovic retains tempo with Stebetak as the highest goalie within the match. In his group’s victory over the USA, he appeared rock stable between the pipes and was in a position to outduel his counterpart, Ryan Cameron. All through the sport, each goalies made big-time saves to assist their groups, however ultimately, Ivankovic stood tall once more. He was unfazed by the stress, making it look simple when challenged.

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Ivankovic did profit from robust protection in entrance of him as nicely. The Canadian protection saved the USA offense in test with the one purpose they allowed and saved the American offense in direction of the surface of the offensive zone for many of the sport. However when he was challenged, he was as much as the duty, ending up with 28 saves on 29 pictures within the victory, whereas Cameron completed with 30 saves on 34 pictures.

Medal Spherical Matchups Set

With the USA and Sweden each dropping, they’ll match up towards one another within the bronze medal sport on Aug. 10, and it ought to make for an thrilling sport as each groups will probably be on the lookout for a little bit of redemption for his or her semi-final losses. Within the championship sport, Czechia will look to get their very own redemption as they appear to avenge their loss to Canada in final 12 months’s championship after Berkly Catton and Carter George led Canada. A win for the Canadian group would mark the primary time a nation has gained back-to-back tournaments because the 2017 and 2018 tournaments, when Canada did so after being led by gamers like Alexis Lafrenière (2018) and Joe Veleno (2017). A win for Czechia would mark the primary time they claimed the “champion” title since they did so in 2016 after they have been led by Filip Zadina.

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