(Trenčín) Berkly Catton scored two goals and an assist as the Canadian Under-18 team crushed the United States 7-2 on Friday in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup semifinals.

Canada will face the Czech Republic in the final on Saturday.

Maxim Massé scored twice for Canada, which also counted on successes from Malcolm Spence, Porter Martone and Cole Beaudoin.

Carter George stopped 22 shots in the win.

Trevor Connelly and Will Zellers replied for the United States. Caleb Heil stopped 27 shots.

The Canadians were 4-for-10 on the power play and the Americans were 2-for-8.

“We were nervous at the start of the first period,” said Canadian team head coach Alan Letang. I liked our game much better in the second period, when we were able to deploy our four lines. Against the Czechs, we will have to earn our chances to score. They have a good system and a solid defense. »

Canada has won the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup 23 times, including last year in Red Deer, Alberta. This summer tournament has been held since 1991, but is not sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The latter instead organizes the World Under-18 Championship, usually in April.