2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Jonathan Willcott 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Jonathan Willcott

Canada Explodes for 8 in Third to Rout Switzerland 9–1

BRNO, Czechia — Team Canada erupted for eight third-period goals en route to a dominant 9–1 win over Switzerland in Group A action at the 2025 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup at Winning Group Arena.

After a scoreless opening frame that saw Canada kill three penalties, Dimian Zhilkin (Windsor, ON) opened the scoring on the power play just eight seconds into the second period, assisted by Landon DuPont (Calgary, AB) and Ethan Belchetz (Oakville, ON). That 1–0 margin held through 40 minutes as Swiss goaltender Yannis Zambelli turned aside numerous Canadian chances.

The floodgates opened in the third period. Mathis Preston (Penticton, BC) made it 2–0 at 6:18 from Markus Ruck (Osoyoos, BC). Just 20 seconds later, Zhilkin struck again, assisted by Pierce Mbuyi (Mississauga, ON) and Tynan Lawrence (Fredericton, NB). Adam Valentini (Toronto, ON) extended the lead to 4–0 at 7:02 from Thomas Rousseau (Saint-Eustache, QC), before Preston netted his second of the period at 8:40 from Liam Ruck (Osoyoos, BC) and Ryan Lin (Richmond, BC).

Switzerland broke Carter Esler’s (Okotoks, AB) shutout bid at 13:14 when Yanis Lutz scored from Thierry Berger. Canada answered quickly — Preston completed his hat trick at 13:59 from Markus Ruck, Valentini added his second at 15:04 from Daxon Rudolph (St. Albert, AB) and Rousseau, and Belchetz scored at 17:32 from Alessandro Di Iorio (Vaughn, ON) and Colin Fitzgerald (Peterborough, ON). Lin capped the scoring at 19:26 from Rousseau.

Esler stopped 14 of 15 shots for a .933 save percentage. Zambelli made 35 saves on 44 shots (.795) and was named Switzerland’s Player of the Game. Preston earned the honour for Canada with three goals and one assist. Rousseau finished with three assists, while Zhilkin and Valentini each scored twice.

Day 2 Tournament Results:
Sweden 5–3 United States (Trencin)
Germany vs. Slovakia – later today in Trencin
Czechia vs. Finland – later today in Brno

Standings Update:
Canada improves to 2–0 (6 points) to lead Group A. Sweden moves to 2–0 atop Group B.

Next Game:
Canada will face Czechia on Wednesday, August 13, at 12:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. MT in Brno to close out the preliminary round. Playoffs begin Friday, August 15, with the gold medal game set for Saturday, August 16.

Provectus Media will provide daily Canada-first coverage throughout the tournament from Brno.

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International Junior Hockey Jonathan Willcott International Junior Hockey Jonathan Willcott

Canada Cruises Past Hungary in Hlinka Gretzky Cup Tune-Up

BUDAPEST — Team Canada opened its 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup campaign with a dominant 7–1 win over Hungary in pre-tournament action Thursday at MET Arena.

Canada exploded out of the gate, scoring four times in the opening frame and never looking back. Jean-Christoph Lemieux opened the scoring with a shorthanded marker at 4:01 of the first period, setting the tone early. Adam Valentini added a power play goal, assisted by Calgary’s Landon DuPont and Fredericton’s Tynan Lawrence. Lawrence followed up with a power play goal of his own, finishing off a setup from Mathis Preston and Pierce Mbuyi.

Hungary responded briefly, cutting the deficit to two with a goal from Kolos Feher, but Canada closed out the period with another from Beckham Edwards—his first of two on the night—assisted by Alessandro Di lorio. It was 4-1 after the first.

The second period brought more of the same. Ethan Belchetz capitalized on the man advantage with help from DuPont and Keaton Verhoeff, two Alberta products. Dimian Zhilkin then scored off feeds from Valentini and DuPont, who finished the game with a team-high three assists. Edwards struck again late in the period, finishing a passing play from Di lorio and Gio Pantelas, making it 7-1.

Both teams swapped goaltenders midway through the second. Jason Schaubel took over in net for Canada, replacing Carter Esler at the 12:21 mark. Hungary made a similar move, with Martin Hadju entering in relief of Bence Veres-Fucsku.

The third period saw no scoring but included a string of penalties—four against Canada, two against Hungary.

By the Numbers:

  • Final Score: Canada 7, Hungary 1

  • Shots on Goal: Canada 63, Hungary 20

    • 1st: 22–7

    • 2nd: 26–6

    • 3rd: 15–7

  • Power Play:

    • Canada: 3/5

    • Hungary: 0/6

  • Top Canadian Performers:

    • Beckham Edwards – 2 goals

    • Landon DuPont – 3 assists

    • Adam Valentini – 1 goal, 1 assist

    • Carter Esler – 10 saves (.909 SV%)

Goaltending Summary:

  • Canada:

    • Carter Esler – 30 minutes, 11 shots, 10 saves, 1 goal against

    • Jason Schaubel – 27 minutes, 9 shots, 9 saves

  • Hungary:

    • Bence Veres-Fucsku – 30 minutes, 39 shots, 6 goals against

    • Martin Hadju – 27 minutes, 24 shots, 1 goal against

Hungary’s lone goal came from Kolos Feher, with assists from Nandor Polonyi and Balint Lobenwein.

Canada’s roster features rising stars from across the CHL and USHL, including players from Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick.

The Canadians return to the ice Saturday, August 9, when they face Slovakia in Piestany at 12:00 p.m. Eastern (10:00 a.m. Mountain).

The 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup officially begins Monday, August 11, when Canada opens the tournament against Finland at 9:30 a.m. Eastern (7:30 a.m. Mountain) at Winning Group Arena in Brno, Czechia.

Global sports through a Canadian lens
provectusmedia.ca

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