Heartbreak in Brno: Canada Falls 4–3 to USA in Shootout at Hlinka Gretzky Cup Semifinal
BRNO, Czechia — Canada’s bid for gold at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup came to a heartbreaking end Friday, falling 4–3 to the United States in a shootout in the tournament’s first semifinal at Winning Group Arena.
The Americans struck first just seconds into a power play in the opening period, with Noah Davidson converting at 5:14 after Adam Valentini was sent off for slashing. The U.S. battled penalty trouble early, taking three more minors before the intermission but killing them off to stay up 1-0.
Ethan Belchetz brought Canada level 34 seconds into the second period, finishing a play from Carson Carels and Landon DuPont. But the U.S. responded at 8:32 when Luke Puchner restored the lead. Canada found itself shorthanded late in the frame, and the Americans capitalized, with Blake Zielinski scoring on the power play at 18:58 to make it 3–1.
Needing a spark in the third, Canada found one on the man advantage. Tynan Lawrence scored just three minutes in, assisted by Ryan Lin and Markus Ruck, to pull within one. With 5:05 remaining in regulation, Mathis Preston tied the game 3–3 to force overtime.
Canada outshot the U.S. 37–32, including a dominant 20–3 edge in the third period, but neither side could score in the extra frame. In the shootout, Joseph Salandra and Nikita Klepov scored for the Americans, while Preston was the lone Canadian to beat goaltender Brady Knowling. Zielinski’s clincher sealed the win for the U.S., sending them to the gold medal game.
Knowling finished with 34 saves for the Americans. Canada’s Gavin Betts stopped 29 shots in the loss.
The result means Canada will play Finland for bronze on Saturday, while the United States advances to face Sweden for gold with both games getting underway at 11:00 AM Eastern.
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.