Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla scored twice as Canada cruised to a 6-0 victory over Czechia in its second preliminary-round game at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Three other WHL players found the scoresheet in the victory.
The top-ranked 2024 NHL Draft prospect found the back of the net with a shorthanded strike less than two minutes into the match.
Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Charlie Elick broke the puck out of the Canadian zone and sprung Iginla for a two-on-one opportunity.
Iginla opted not to pass, deked around a Czech defender and got a fortunate bounce when his attempted pass to Ollie Josephson deflected into the net off a Czech stick to make it 2-0 for the Canadians.
The Kelowna Rockets star would extend Canada’s lead again midway through the opening frame.
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna took the puck from end to end and fed Iginla in the slot with a precision pass from behind the Czech net.
Calgary Hitmen winger Carson Wetsch capped off a four-goal first period for Canada with a sharp deflection on the doorstep.
McKenna, who was named Player of the Game in Canada’s tournament-opening win over Sweden, snagged another assist on a Malcolm Spence and closed out the night with his third goal of the tournament, a clever wrist shot off a rush.
McKenna currently leads all skaters at the tournament with three goals and two assists in two games.
Canada (2-0-0-0) is back in action on Sunday, April 28 against Switzerland at 10 a.m. (MT)