2002-03 National Men's Under-18 Team

August 18 , 2002
Piestany, Slovakia

PIESTANY, SLOVAKIA - Canada's National Under 18 Summer Team captured the gold medal at the 2002 Eight Nations Under 18 Cup, after defeating Czech Republic 5-1 in the final game of the tournament on Sunday. Canada finished the championship with a perfect 5-0-0 record.

With the victory on Sunday, Canada has now won six consecutive gold medals at the annual summer Under 18 event held in Europe. This annual Under 18 summer event has evolved over the years, going from four participating teams, to six teams last year, and to now an eight team tournament in 2002, featuring the top eight hockey countries in the world.

The Czech Republic captured the silver medal, while Russia and Switzerland were playing for the bronze medal (late game - no report on score).

Mike Richards of the OHL's Kitchener Rangers led Canada with three goals, two on the power play and one short handed. Nathan Horton and Corey Perry added Canada's other goals to lead Canada to the gold medal win. Goaltender Kevin Nastiuk of the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers got the win for Canada by stopping 31 of the Czech Republic's 32 shots.

Player of the Game:
CAN: Mike Richards

Game Summary

Box Score Canada

3

1

1

5
  Czech Republic

0

0

1

1

First Period/1re période
Scoring/Buts :
00:47 CAN, Nathan Horton (unassisted)
03:29 CAN, Corey Perry (unassisted) PP
04:02 CAN, Mike Richards (unassisted) PP

Penalties/Pénalités :
None/Aucun
Second Period/2e période
Scoring/Buts :
26:30    CAN, Mike Richards (Stephen Dixon) SH

Penalties/Pénalités :
None/Aucun
Third Period/3e période
Scoring/Buts :
44:05    CAN, Mike Richards (Stephen Dixon, Anthony Stewart) PP
49:48    CZE, Kaspar Lucas (unassisted)

Penalties/Pénalités :
None/Aucun

Goaltenders Canada Kevin Nastiuk
  Czech Republic Koutsky
   

First

Second

Third

Final
Shots on Goal by Canada

16

8

6

30
  Czech Republic

11

11

10

32
Officials Referee -
  Linesmen -
Attendance -,---
For more information:
Brad Pascall Vice-President, Hockey Operations

Photos
Videos
2024-25 NWT: CAN 3 – USA 1 (Game 5)
Gardiner scored the GWG with 6:44 left, giving Canada the series win.
2024-25 NWT: USA 2 – CAN 1 SO (Game 4)
Turnbull tied it late, but Canada fell to the U.S. in a shootout.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 3 – USA 0 (Gold Medal)
Grenier made 14 saves to backstop Canada to its eighth U18 gold medal.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 4 – CZE 2 (Semifinal)
Zablocki and Tiller had 1G 1A apiece to send Canada to play for gold.
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