Canada, United States open Hlinka Gretzky Cup with wins

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on August 12, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The four Medicine Hat Tigers playing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup opened their tournaments Monday in winning fashion.

Canada, with forwards Markus and Liam Ruck, beat Finland 5-3, and the United States, with forwards Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll and Noah Davidson, beat Czechia 6-3 on the first day of play at the U18 tournament hosted in Czechia and Slovakia.

Neither of the Rucks were on the scoreboard in Canada’s win. They led Finland 3-0 through two periods, scoring twice in the third for the victory. Canada captain and Victoria Royals defenceman Keaton Verhoeff had a goal and three points.

For the United States, Davidson scored the game-winner in the last minute of the game, coming off the bench to knock in a loose puck. He earned player of the game for the U.S. Gordon-Carroll had an assist on one of the United States’ two empty net goals. He also killed off a majority of a five-on-three penalty kill for the U.S. in the middle stages of the third period, allowing them to secure their first win.

Both Canada and the U.S. play at 7:30 a.m. MST Tuesday, with Canada facing Switzerland and the U.S. taking on Sweden. They’ll finish round-robin play on Wednesday as the U.S. takes on Germany (7:30 a.m.) and Canada faces Czechia (noon).

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