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While the final of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup was played in Slovakia, Brno hosted the bronze medal game where somewhat surprisginly Canada, the favourites heading into the tournament, faced Finland.
Penalties: 4:6. PP goals: 1:0. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Jeřábek, Vrba – Otáhal, Kráľ. Attendance: 1076.
Report
The Maple Leafs dominated from start to finish, scoring once in each period to secure third place.The opening period lacked excitement, but Canada took an early lead in the 6th minute. Rudolph pushed the puck into the offensive zone, where Colin Fitzgerald found Cooper Williams, who easily tapped it into an open net. The score stayed 1:0 heading into the first break.
Finland came out stronger in the second, but Canada remained composed and extended their lead. Captain Verhoeff set up DuPont, who passed to Belchetz. With a slick move, Belchetz beat goalie Gammals to make it 2:0.
The final period continued in the same vein. Finland pulled their goalie with two and a half minutes left, but Canada capitalised on the weakness soon – Preston found Rudolph, who sealed the 3:0 win with a wrist shot into the open net to secure Canada bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.