Canada's Under-18 Team opened the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with a 4-1 win over Switzerland on Monday.

Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads) led the way with a goal and two assists.

Curtiz Lazar (Edmonton Oil Kings), Nick Ritchie (Peterborough Petes), and Yan-Pavel Laplante (PEI Rocket) also scored for Canada.

Zachary Fucale (Halifax Mooseheads) made 30 saves in the victory.

Canada is in Group A with the Czech Republic, Finland and Slovakia. Russia, the U.S., Sweden and Switzerland make up Group B.

The top two teams in each division advance to the semifinal round Friday, with the two winners to square off in the tournament final Saturday.

Canada is aiming for a fifth straight gold medal in this event.

Canada will face Sweden on Tuesday followed by Slovakia on Wednesday.

Game Summary