U.S. beats Canada in shootout, advances to Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold final

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on August 16, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Medicine Hat Tigers fans still have a reason to tune into the finals of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Saturday.

The United States defeated Canada 4-3 in a shootout Friday morning, punching their ticket to the gold medal game against Sweden, the first finals appearance for the U.S. since 2016. Canada’s three straight gold streak was snapped with the loss, they will face Finland for bronze at the U18 tournament hosted in Czechia and Slovakia.

Tigers’ froward Noah Davidson scored the opening goal for the U.S. in a back and forth game, his second goal of the tournament.

The U.S. and Canada traded goals, with the U.S. leading 3-1 after 40 before Canada scored a pair of goals in the third to force overtime. Markus Ruck had an assist on a power play goal from Ty Lawrence in the third period. Younger twin brother Liam earned an unofficial assist, screening the U.S. goaltender on the goal.

Neither side scored in overtime, sending the contest to a shootout where the U.S. scored on their first three shots for a 3-1 lead. Liam Ruck was Canada’s fourth shooter, needing a goal to keep the game alive, stopped by the U.S.’s Brady Knowling.

The U.S., with Tigers forwards Davidson and Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll, enter the finals Saturday looking for their first Hlinka Gretzky Cup championship since 2003. The Rucks and Canada will look to salvage a medal, a bronze win would be their second third-place finish and the country’s 30th medal at the tournament.

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