By Chris Wahl via Western Hockey League

Berkly Catton scored twice, including the game-winning goal, as Canada advanced to the gold medal game at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Friday with a 7-2 victory over the United States in Trencin, Slovakia.

The Spokane Chiefs forward, who serves as Canada’s captain, upped his tournament goals total to seven with his brace Friday, scoring on the power-play to break a 2-2 tie in the second period before adding an empty-net insurance marker in the final frame.

Canada scored six unanswered markers Friday after falling behind 2-1 through the opening 20 minutes of play.

Catton, who hails from Saskatoon, Sask., finished the game with three points, while the WHL trio of Ryder Ritchie (Prince Albert Raiders), Roger McQueen (Brandon Wheat Kings) and Ollie Josephson (Red Deer Rebels) each found the scoresheet Friday with assists.

Catton’s seven goals and 10 points both stand as the leading totals among tournament skaters.

Ritchie, the reigning WHL Rookie of the Year, is tied for the tournament lead with six assists, while his nine points trail only Catton among scoring leaders at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The Canadians, who won gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer, Alta., will face Czechia Saturday morning in their bid for a second successive gold medal (9:00 a.m. MT, TSN 1).

The United States will take on Finland in the bronze medal game.