Wranglers Look to Even Series in Colorado
CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers will look to bounce back Saturday night in Colorado after opening their 2025–26 season with a 7–4 loss to the Eagles on Friday at Blue FCU Arena.
Despite the final score, there were bright spots for Calgary in the opener. The top line of William Stromgren, Rory Kerins, and Dryden Hunt powered the offense, combining for five points and generating consistent pressure throughout. Martin Frk provided the team’s lone power-play goal, while goaltender Ivan Prosvetov turned aside 36 of 42 shots for an .857 save percentage in his Wranglers debut.
Special teams were the difference in Game 1, as Colorado converted on three of four opportunities with the man advantage. The Wranglers, meanwhile, finished 1-for-4 on the power play and will be looking to tighten up their penalty kill and defensive coverage in front of Prosvetov for tonight’s rematch.
Friday’s assists from Jeremie Poirier and Rory Kerins moved both players into a tie with Adam Klapka for second on the Wranglers’ all-time points list (97), just one behind Ben Jones (98). Poirier, entering his third full season with the club, remains one of the team’s key transition catalysts and is expected to log heavy minutes again tonight.
Head coach Brett Sutter’s group will try to re-establish its defensive rhythm while building on the offensive chemistry that showed flashes in the opener. Calgary’s transition game and power-play execution will be focal points against a Colorado team that thrives on tempo and puck retrieval.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MT at Blue FCU Arena. After tonight’s contest, the Wranglers hit the road to Tucson for back-to-back games against the Roadrunners next weekend before returning home to the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 24 to face the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Canada Defeats Finland 3–0 to Claim Bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
BRNO, Czechia — Team Canada is bringing home another medal. Powered by scoring from three different skaters and a shutout performance in goal, Canada blanked Finland 3–0 in Game 17 of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup bronze medal match at Winning Group Arena. The result secures medals for Canada in seven straight HGC appearances.
Canada struck first just over five minutes into the opening period when Cooper Williams (Calgary, WHL/Saskatoon Blades) buried the opener at 5:27. Colin Fitzgerald (Peterborough, OHL/Peterborough Petes) and Daxon Rudolph (Lacombe, WHL/Prince Albert Raiders) collected the assists. Finland’s early penalties blunted their response and kept Canada ahead after 20 minutes.
The Canadians extended their advantage in the second period. Ethan Belchetz (Oakville, OHL/Windsor Spitfires) scored at 14:44, with helpers from Landon DuPont (Calgary, WHL/Everett Silvertips) and Keaton Verhoeff (Fort Saskatchewan, WHL/Victoria Royals). The goal came less than half a minute after Finland’s Wilmer Kallio was penalized for tripping, swinging momentum firmly toward Canada.
Down 2–0 late, Finland pulled the goalie with 2:30 remaining, but Canada iced the game. Daxon Rudolph (Lacombe, WHL/Prince Albert Raiders) scored into the empty net just 15 seconds later, assisted by Mathis Preston (Penticton, WHL/Spokane Chiefs), putting Canada up 3–0 and securing the bronze.
Canada’s Gavin Betts (Toronto, OHL/Kingston Frontenacs) was flawless, stopping all 22 shots he faced for the shutout. Finland’s William Gammals (Helsinki, FIN/HIFK U20) battled to keep his team alive, making 27 saves on 30 shots for a .900 save percentage.
With the win, Canada extends its medal streak to seven consecutive Hlinka Gretzky Cups. And while attention now turns to the 2026 World Juniors — set for December 26, 2025 through January 5, 2026 — TSN’s Gord Miller noted during the broadcast that many of these U18 skaters are projected to feature in the 2027 and 2028 World Juniors. This bronze-medal clash was not just about the present, but a glimpse into the future of international hockey.
The 2026 edition of the tournament will return to Canadian ice, with Rogers Place in Edmonton set to host.