BRECLAV, Czech Republic – Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team will play for gold at the 2011 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament after defeating Russia 5-0 in Piestany, Slovakia in Friday’s semifinal. Canada will face Sweden, which defeated Finland 4-3 in overtime in the other semi, in the gold medal game on Saturday in Breclav (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT).

On Friday, Canada outshot Russia 44-6 and was led by Charles Hudon (Boisbriand, Que./Chicoutimi, QMJHL) who had two goals and an assist, and Daniel Altshuller, (Nepean, Ont./Nepean, CCHL) who recorded the shutout, the second in as many games for Canada.

Canada finished second its preliminary round with a 2-1 record, losing to Sweden (5-1), but scoring wins over the Czech Republic (6-1) and Switzerland (6-0). The Swedes finished atop Group A with an unblemished 3-0 record. Saturday’s game will mark the 10th all-time summer under-18 meeting between Canada and Sweden – Canada holds a 7-2 advantage in the first nine match-ups.

Canada has won the tournament three straight years, and six of the last seven, dating back to 2004. Canada’s roster is made up of 13 forwards, seven defencemen and two goaltenders, and features 12 players from the Ontario Hockey League, five from the Western Hockey League, four from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Hockey League, one from the Ligue du hockey midget AAA du Québec and one from the Central Canada Hockey League.

There is no TV or radio coverage of the 2011 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Hockey Canada’s official website, www.hockeycanada.ca, is the place to find complete coverage of Canada at the tournament.