PETERS TO LEAD CANADA IN GOLD MEDAL GAME

Canada's definitive 9-1 win over co-host Slovakia propels national team into final game

Rockford, Ill.- Recently named IceHogs Head Coach Bill Peters will lead the Canadian Under-18 National Team in the Gold Medal Game on Saturday in the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament.

The Canadians capped a 5-0 run in the preliminary round with a 9-1 win over Slovakia on Thursday at Zimny Stadium in Piestany, Slovakia. They will face an undefeated Russian team at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Breclav Arena in Breclav, Czech Republic.

After beating the American team in an exhibition contest on Aug. 9, Peters' squad swept the preliminary round with wins over Switzerland (5-3), Sweden (5-4) and Slovakia (9-1). In the final game, the team showed a balanced attack with 16 different players recording a point. Only Louis Leblanc (Kirkland, Quebec) had a multi-point game.

Russia earned a birth in the final game with wins over USA (5-1), Czech Republic (4-2) and Finland (7-4).

Saturday’s game marks the first meeting between the two countries at the U-18 level since April’s gold medal game at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Kazan, Russia, which Canada won 8-0 to claim the world title. Canada has won the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament three of the four previous seasons.

Follow Peter’s club in the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament here.

Season Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive.