Edmonton, Alta.- It took two tying goals and a third-period comeback, but Canada overcame a slow start to best Finland 6-3 in semifinal action on Friday evening at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The Canadians will improve on last year’s bronze medal at the prestigious U18 tournament, and will get a chance at gold against the reigning champion United States.
Lethbridge Hurricanes netminder Leif Oaten was named Canada’s Player of the Game with a 24-save effort, highlighted by a massive powerplay stop in the third period.
The Finns opened the scoring on the powerplay as Olli Kylmala struck just over five minutes into the opening frame and dominated on the shot clock in the early goings of the game.
Projected top 2027 NHL Draft pick and Canadian captain Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / Calgary, Alta.) gave the home team some juice with a ferocious one-timer from the edge of the right faceoff dot to send the teams to the dressing rooms tied after 20 minutes.
Edmonton Oil Kings forward Kayden Stroeder (Saskatoon, Sask.) served up the primary assist and dished several thunderous hits throughout the game.
The middle frame saw Finland regain its momentum as Max Poikela snagged his second goal of the tournament as he tucked the puck home in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it play off the faceoff.
Again, Canada had an answer as Benjamin Veitch (Newfoundland Regiment / QMJHL) solved Samuel Heikkinen with a seeing-eye wrister from the blue line to get the crowd going.
There were flashes of promise as Maddox Schultz (Regina Pats / Regina, Sask.) fired it off the post moments after the tying goal, and his Pats teammate, Liam Pue (Langley, B.C.), appeared to put Canada in front as he hacked away at a rebound on a shorthanded rush.
However, officials called Pue’s marker back for goaltender interference, setting the stage for a winner-take-all third period.
The 16-year-old came agonizingly close to putting Canada on top again with a partial break in the opening minutes of the third period, but was foiled by Heikkanen.
It looked like the knocks would keep coming as Malik L’Italien’s long wrister underwent a lengthy review for a potential offside on the play, but the goal stood to give Canada its first lead.
Less than three minutes later, Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph Storm / OHL) added some insurance with a tight one-timer teed up by Vietch.
Wycisk’s massive night saw him bury a goal and three assists.
The Finns weren’t done as Kylmala was left alone on the Canadian doorstep for a quick snapper to get his team within one with under eight minutes remaining.
With the Finnish net empty, Canada dug deep as Brock Cripps (Prince Albert Raiders / Victoria, B.C.) sacrificed for a major shot block that allowed Veitch to give Canada some breathing room with an empty net goal, before Stroeder added another with .6 seconds remaining to close out the scoring.
Canada will take on the defending champion United States in Saturday’s gold medal game at 5:00 p.m. MT., while Finland and Slovakia will battle for bronze at 12:00 p.m. MT.
NOTES
Spokane Chiefs forward Gavin Burcar dominated with a goal and three assists to help the United States down Slovakia 5-2… Incoming Brandon Wheat King Colin Grubb added an assist in the win.
