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It’s decided — Team USA is through to the final! Favourites of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Canada will battle for bronze. Though the Canadians tied the game in the third period to force overtime, no goals came in the extra frame and the Americans emerged victorious in the shootout.
Penalties: 4:4. PP goals: 1:2. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Kika, Ondráček – Rakušan, Axman. Attendance: 1434.
Report
Both teams entered the semi-final fired up and it showed immediately in the physical play. The opening goal came early – in the 6th minute, the U.S. capitalised on a powerplay. Zielinski fired from the slot and while the Canadian goalie made the initial save, Noah Davidson was quick to bury the rebound to make it 1:0. Due to numerous U.S. penalties, Canada had several powerplays during the first period, including a 5-on-3, but failed to convert any of them to further their lead.
Canada came out strong after the first intermission, tying the game just 30 seconds into the second period. Zhilkin set up Ethan Bechetz, who scored with a quick one-timer. The period remained fairly even until the 29th minute, when Rogowski set up Luke Puchner for a rebound goal to restore Team USA’s lead. The U.S. then took control and added a third goal late in the period – Blake Zielinski found the net with just a minute left on the clock to make it 3-1.
Canada needed a quick response in the third and they got it. Tynan Lawrence scored in the 43rd minute to make it 3:2. The game remained tight and the Canadians tied it up when Mathis Preston’s shot – meant for the goalie’s blocker – slipped through and trickled in. Despite late pressure, Canada couldn’t grab the winner in regulation and the game headed to overtime.
In the 10-minute 3-on-3 OT, both teams had chances, but neither scored. The game went to a shootout, where the Americans were flawless – converting all three of their attempts. Canada only scored once and when Liam Ruck was stopped in the fourth round, Blake Zielinski’s third-round goal stood as the decider.