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The group stage of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup is complete and the semi-finals match-ups are set! From Group A, favourites Canada and Finland advanced, while Group B saw Sweden and the USA move on and compete for medals. Czechia and Slovakia, both finishing third in their respective groups, will face off in a regional clash for fifth place, while Switzerland and Germany will face each other in the seventh-place game.
Czechia vs. Slovakia
Czechia, finalists of the last two editions, missed out on the semi-finals despite a strong opening 6:2 win over Switzerland, followed by tough losses to Finland 1:4 and Canada 0:5. Slovakia, also a host nation of the 2025 edition, had an identical record – falling to the USA, edging Germany with a last-minute goal to take a win in the group stage and then suffering a heavy 0:7 loss to Sweden. Now, they’ll face off in Brno, Czechia in a neighbourly battle for fifth overall.
Switzerland vs. Germany
Switzerland, the underdogs of the tournament, finally grabbed their first win by beating Finland 4:3 in overtime, coming back from 1:2 earlier in the game. Germany, meanwhile, failed to score a point all tournament long and endured heavy defeats to Sweden, the USA and narrowly lost to Slovakia. They’ll aim to end their campaign on a high by claiming seventh in this match-up.
Canada vs. USA
Canada, the usual favourites of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, won all three of its group games convincingly, first beating Finland 5:3, then dominating Switzerland 9:1, including a hat trick from Mathis Preston, and finally one-sidedly deciding their game against Czechia 5:0. The USA also topped their group, with a 6:3 win over Slovakia, 3:5 loss to eventual Group B winners Sweden and a dominant 8:1 win over Germany. Their semi-final showdown in Brno promises to be an epic event.
Sweden vs. Finland
Sweden, unbeaten and in fine form, enter the semi-finals with three wins to their name. They started the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a strong 10:0 win over Germany before going on to take the USA 5:3 in an important Group B game and ended the group stage with a 7:0 thrashing of Slovakia. Finland secured their semi-final spot thanks to Canada’s win and their own 4:1 victory over Czechia, with their only loss of the tournament so far coming in overtime against Switzerland on day 3. These two Nordic powerhouses will rekindle their rivalry in the semi-finals.