2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Top performers from Day 2

Aug 1, 2023

Talk about some Reverse Uno.

After difficult losses on the opening day of play, Canada and the United States bounced back with huge victories on Day 2. Canada crushed Slovakia 14-4, with a six-point effort from 2025 prospect Michael Misa. The Americans, meanwhile, put a 6-1 whopping on Sweden to help spice up the action in Breclav.

In the other two games, Switzerland (3-1 over Finland) and Czechia (6-2 over Germany) remain perfect with 2-0 starts to the tournament. Germany and Slovakia, meanwhile, are eliminated from playoff contention, with two more teams set to join them.

But that’s where things get tricky. Sweden and USA are tied at three points apiece in Group A as they try and settle the second spot there. Canada and Finland are in the same situation, with Switzerland holding the lead in Group B with six points.

That could lead for an interesting tiebreaking scenario, which you can find below.

Tie breaker rules for the Hlinka Gretzky which may be relevant come tomorrow especially if Finland beats Slovakia. pic.twitter.com/BWdjDnsDHQ
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) August 1, 2023

An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.

Here’s a look at the top performers from Tuesday’s action in Czechia and Slovakia:

Canada

#22 Michael Misa, LW (2025): After a quiet opening game, Misa came within an inch or so of scoring about 20 seconds in. Instead, Berkly Catton was there for the rebound to make it 1-0 after just 24 seconds. The pair were dominant together at the U-17 World Challenge last year, and now Misa’s potential looks unlocked again on the top line. And the proof was in the pudding: he scored twice in the second period, including a beautiful goal just seconds after the faceoff. He had six points total, and the hockey world is watching.
#12 Berkly Catton, C: Catton could probably play with anyone, but he was electric with Misa. Catton now has five points through two games, good for second in scoring behind Finland’s Tuomas Suoniemi. Catton will be in the conversation in the top five next June.
#14 Ryder Ritchie, RW: The WHL’s reigning rookie of the year, Ritchie scored in the first and had a couple of other good looks. He then scored two more to complete the hat-trick, helping Canada in the goal-differential conversation. After a nice exhibition slate, Ritchie is keeping the momentum going.
#8 Malcolm Spence, LW (2025): Spence was a bit quieter than those above, but he rarely lost a battle on the ice. His play to outmuscle a Slovak defenseman to create the eighth Canadian goal was peak Spence – you can’t push him away.
#2 Sam Dickinson, D: After some ups and downs on Monday, Dickinson shut things down with his size and hockey IQ. A potential top-five pick in 2023, Dickinson is effective at both ends of the ice, and he had an assist to show for it.
#5 Henry Mews, D: With two assists, Mews once again looked good for the Canadians. Just smart, aggressive and able to find lanes through traffic.

Slovakia

#30 Richard Rafaj, G (2025): Rafaj was pulled in the second, but he made a handful of big pads stops and was tracking shots well. The first goal against wasn’t great, but he had next to no chance the rest of the way. Rafaj was a big reason the game wasn’t 5-0 after a period of play.
#10 Tomáš Pobezal, C (2025): Born a few days after the cutoff for the 2024 draft, Pobezal has been Slovakia’s best center through two games. He’s not the quickest skater, but he seems to be in the right spot often. That’s how he snagged the first Slovak goal, just cruising in undetected after a scramble in front of the net formed. And then he scored a lacrosse goal in the third to help turn the tide after a horrible start to the third for the Slovaks. Just fun.

USA

#22 Chase Stefanek, C: Not bad for a fourth-liner, huh? With a pair of goals, Stefanek was great around the net – his specialty. The line of Stefanek, John McNelis and Anthony Spellacy seemed to generate some nice chemistry, giving the team some much-needed scoring depth.
#16 Trevor Connelly, LW: Connelly was USA’s best player on Monday and he had a pair of assists today against Sweden. Every time he touched the puck, something happened. He even attempted a lacrosse goal, but came up short.
#4 Will Felicio, D: Felicio was promoted to the top power play and you could tell the difference between him and Alex Bales immediately. Felicio was calm, collected and making smart moves with the puck, and even scored. That’s what you expect out of a No. 1 defender.
#8 JJ Monteiro, LW: That was a nice showing for Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward. Monteiro had a goal and an assist, showing nice chemistry with Aidan Park. Again, secondary scoring mattered for the Americans, and Monteiro was a big reason why.
#31 Caleb Heil, G: Heil was pulled on Monday to keep him rested for today, and he stonewalled the Swedish attackers. That’s the type of goaltending performance USA will need moving forward.

Sweden

#30 Love Harenstam, G (2025): One of the youngest goaltenders in the tournament, Harenstam was Sweden’s player of the game. He was injured on a lacrosse goal attempt from Trevor Connelly, but he made some great stops and gave his team a fighting chance early. Hopefully, his injury isn’t too serious.
#26 Alex Zetterberg, C (2024): The only Swedish goal-scorer, it was the only moment worth getting excited for in a difficult evening for the team. But that’s two solid games for the potential first-round pick. You like seeing that.

Switzerland

#6 Jamiro Reber, C: One of the younger players for the 2024 draft, the 5-foot-9 forward continues to be a smart passer. He’s always looking for a heads-up play, and he helped set up the opening goal for Switzerland. Two great games for the Swiss star.
#23 Leon Muggli, D: Muggli was tasked with shutting down Finland’s top line, and he was successful. Nothing seemed to faze him. He’s a smooth skating defender that keeps things simple, but loves touching the puck.
#29 Phileas Lachat, G: Some scouts have expressed interest in Lachat’s play, who may have won the starting gig over Christian Kirsch with his play today. He made nine saves, but it’s hard to staying sharp with such little action. He made some key stops in the second, in particular.

Finland

#16 Tuomas Suoniemi, C: Suoniemi is now up to three assists, showing his prowess as a playmaker. In a game with so little offense, Suoniemi was the only one that made noise.

Czechia

#9 Adam Benak, C (2025): Czechia’s top center happens to be an underager, but he doesn’t play like one. He had a two-point night, with his power-play goal in the dying minutes being a highlight. Give him space and you’ll regret it.
#28 Oskar Lisler, LW: With a two-point effort, it was one of Lisler’s most involved in a Czech uniform. Quick passes, soft touches and good small-area play made him effective today.
#23 Petr Sikora, C: I’m really like Sikora’s game. He’s a good playmaker that handles attacking pressure well and contributes defensively. Simple, yet effective hockey.

Germany

#27 Simon Seidl, C: Seidl isn’t a big player, but he’s had two big nights for a struggling German team. He placed his power-play goal perfectly to make it 4-1 and then set up the second German goal to make it 4-2. This tournament has to be helping Seidl’s draft stock.

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