TRURO, N.S – The Czech Republic cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Truro Bearcats on Friday afternoon in a World Junior A Hockey Challenge pre-tournament game.
The contest served as a tune-up for the Czechs, who will compete in the six-team international event, which begins Sunday in Truro when Canada West faces off against the Czech Republic at 3:30 p.m., followed by Russia and Canada East at 7:30 p.m.
The United States and Switzerland see their first tournament action on Monday.
Jan Hladonik scored two goals for the Czechs in Friday’s win over the Bearcats, while Pavel Kousal, David Kofron and Jan Kern fired single markers.
Cameron MacLeod had Truro’s lone goal, a second-period power-play marker.
The Czech’s carried the play throughout most of the contest and outshot their hosts 61-18.
Bearcats goaltenders Kevin Resop and Alec MacDonald split duties between the pipes.
