Opening Night Thriller
The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team opened the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a 6-4 victory over Czechia, a game that set the tone for a tournament that will run through early August.
Played in front of a lively crowd in Edmonton, the Americans built an early lead before Czechia rallied, resulting in a back‑and‑forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Burcar’s Hat Trick Leads the Charge
Gavin Burcar was the offensive engine, recording a hat trick that included a shorthanded goal and a power‑play marker. His three goals helped swing momentum in the United States’ favor during the middle frames.
Joey Cullen opened the scoring at 9:57 with a deflection past Czech netminder Jaroslav Martinek, while Lukas Kachlir added two goals, including a power‑play strike that cut Czechia’s lead to a single goal.
Goaltending and Power Play
Kaeden Tate earned the win with 24 saves, keeping Czechia’s attack at bay despite being outshot 28‑23. The U.S. converted 1 of 6 power‑play opportunities, while Czechia went 1 of 6 on the man advantage, a discrepancy that proved costly.
The game saw the United States surge to a 5‑1 advantage in the second period before Czechia responded with two goals to narrow the gap to 6‑3, only for Adam Nemec to cap the scoring with the final tally at 10:03, making the final margin 6‑4.
A Date with Finland
The Americans will next face Finland on August 4 at 7 p.m. local time in Edmonton. The upcoming matchup promises another test of skill and resilience as the team looks to build on its opening‑game chemistry.
Coach Gerry DiCunzolo and the rest of the staff praised the collective effort, highlighting the depth of talent across the roster, including contributions from players such as Nash Roed, Ryland Rooney, Colin Grubb, Krystof Stepanek, Jiri Gombar, and others who helped shape the contest.