ANGELHOLM, SWEDEN – Canada's Under-18 team was defeated 4-1 by Czech Republic in Saturday afternoon’s bronze medal game at the 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. With the loss, Canada finishes in 4th place at the Championship.

Canada, who went through the event with a 3-3-1 record, has medaled at this World Championship event two of past four years – winning gold in 2003 and silver medal in 2005. This is the fifth year that Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, has entered a team in the April World Under-18 men's hockey championship.

All five goals scored in this game were on the power play, including all four of Czech Republic’s goals, in a penalty filled game. After a scoreless first period, the Czechs scored three goals in the second period to take a 3-0 lead after two periods. With Canada on a 5-3 power play, Red Deer’s Brandon Sutter scored 3:44 into the third period on a one-timer from the side of the net from a nice passing play from teammates Francois Bouchard and Ben Shutron, to keep it a two-goal game at 3-1. The Czechs scored an insurance goal with just over six minutes remaining in the game, and kept it that was until the end for a 4-1 victory. Canada outshot the Czechs 36-33.

Sutter was chosen as Canada’s player of the game on Saturday, and goaltender Jonathan Bernier and forwards Jamie McGinn and Justin Azevedo were chosen as Canada’s ‘Three best players’ in the Championship.

» 2005-06 National Men's U-18 Team

CANADA’S UNDER-18 TEAM RETURNS HOME ON SUNDAY
Canada’s Bronze medal winning World-18 team will be returning to Canada on Sunday, April 23rd, when all of Canada’s players and staff arrive in Toronto on Lufthansa flight #470 at 3:25pm ET.

Upon arrival in Toronto, some players and staff will remain in Toronto, while the others will connect to various flights – returning to their respective hometowns or club teams.

Here is the connecting flight information, departing Toronto on Sunday, April 23rd, with arrivals in their final destination on April 23rd (except Bouchard and Boucher, who arrive on April 24th). NOTE: This flight information is subject to change without notice.

Canada’s Under-18 team is made up of the best available players born in 1988 or later, who are not competing, or have been eliminated in the playoffs from their respective club teams. Canada won it in 2003, and finished second last year after losing to USA in the gold medal game.