MOSCOW, RUSSIA -- The Canadian National Men's Team fell in their last game of the Baltic Cup 6-3 to the Czech Republic National Team. Canada finished the tournament with an 0-5 record against their more experienced opponents. Sweden finished first, followed by the Czech Republic, Finland and Russia with Canada last.

The Czech Republic scored two goals midway through the first period to take an early lead. Ryan Lindsay of Hamilton, ON scored late in the first period to bring the score to 2-1. Justin Cardwell of Whitby, ON scored early in the second period after the Czechs had made it 3-1. The Czechs again increased their lead to two, but Geoff Peters of St. Catharines, ON scored midway through the second to bring the Canadians to within one again. The Czechs closed out the scoring with two unanswered goals.

"Although we outshot the Czechs 43-36, they converted on their fewer scoring chances, making great plays," said Mike Johnston, Team Canada's General Manager and Head Coach. "We've competed well, and I'm proud of the way the guys competed in this tournament. The calibre of play at this tournament was very high, and we played hard."

Martin, Stepanek, Viktor Ujcik, Jan Caloun, Miroslav Hlinka, Roman Meluzin and Tomas Vlasak scored for the Czech Republic, three of those goals being on the power play. Milan Hnilicka started in goal for the Finns, with Fred Brathwaite of Nepean, ON again in goal for Canada.

Jeremy Adduono of Thunder Bay, ON was named player of the game for Canada.

Team Canada now heads to Switzerland for an exhibition game against the Swiss club team EV Zug on December 22, in Tramelan, before continuing on to Davos, Switzerland, for the Spengler Cup Tournament. The Spengler Cup starts on December 26, 1998 with Canada playing Sweden's Farjestads BK in Davos, Switzerland on December 27, 1998.