2007-08 National Men's Under-18 Team

CANADA WINS 3-2 THRILLER OVER SWITZERLAND

HODONIN, Czech Republic – Chris Doyle’s goal at 8:19 of the third period sent a rather large Canadian contingent into a frenzy and the goal stood as the game-winner as Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team beat Switzerland 3-2 on Wednesday.

Canada now has a win and a shootout loss at the 2007 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, which is being held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Doyle, a Charlottetown, PEI native and member of the PEI Rocket of the QMJHL, tipped in a perfect pass from linemate Cody Hodgson (Markham, ON/Brampton, OHL). It was Canada’s second goal in less than a minute. At 7:21, Yann Sauve (Rigaud, QC/Saint John, QMJHL) tied the game at 2-2 when he shovelled the puck over the shoulder of Switzerland goaltender Benjamin Conz.

Team Canada started slow in this game and trailed 2-0 at one point. Switzerland opened the scoring at 16:45 of the first period on a goal by Pascal Gemperli. The Swiss made it 2-0 at the 11:42 mark of the second, when Roman Josi set up Konstantin Schmidt for a goal.

Canada cut into that lead at 15:54. Captain Steven Stamkos (Unionville, ON/Sarnia, OHL) got his team going when he one-timed home a pass from Nazem Kadri (London, ON/Kitchener, OHL). Canada trailed 2-1 going into the third period, but used Stamkos’ late goal for momentum in the third.

Canada stepped it up in the third, taking the play to the Swiss. Peter Delmas (Bedford, NS/Lewiston, QMJHL) earned the win in goal, stopping 21 of 23 shots. Stamkos, who finished with a goal and an assist, was named Canada’s player of the game. Hodgson and Kadri each had two assists.