Canada is one win from the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup final after a flawless preliminary round in Edmonton. Finland stands in the way on Friday, with the gold medal game set for Saturday if Canada gets through.
Semifinal Details
Canada meets Finland in the semifinal on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Rogers Place. The puck drops at:
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5 p.m. Mountain Time
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7 p.m. Eastern Time
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4 p.m. Pacific Time
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8 p.m. Atlantic Time
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8:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time
The winner advances to the championship game, while the loser drops into the bronze medal matchup. TSN and RDS are carrying the games at Rogers Place.
What the Bracket Looks Like
Canada’s path depends on the other semifinal as well. The winner of the United States versus Slovakia game will meet Canada or Finland in the final.
| Game | Date | Venue | Winner Advances To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada vs Finland | Friday, August 7 | Rogers Place | Gold medal game |
| United States vs Slovakia | Friday, August 7 | Rogers Place | Gold medal game |
| Bronze medal game | Saturday, August 8 | Rogers Place | Third place |
| Gold medal game | Saturday, August 8 | Rogers Place | Champion |
A Canada-United States final would feature two unbeaten teams from the preliminary round. The Americans also swept group play and entered the event as the defending champions.
A matchup with Slovakia would be a rematch. Canada beat Slovakia 6-1 earlier in the tournament, but Slovakia still has a top-end scorer in Tomas Selic.
How Canada Got Here
Canada opened with a 7-3 win over Switzerland, then handled Slovakia 6-1 and closed group play with a 7-4 win over Sweden. The hosts scored 20 goals across three games and finished first in Group A.
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Beat Switzerland 7-3
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Beat Slovakia 6-1
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Beat Sweden 7-4
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Scored 20 goals and allowed 8
The Sweden game showed both the upside and the risk. Canada built a huge lead early, then had to finish the job after Sweden pushed back and found the net on the power play.
That kind of stretch is manageable in group play. It becomes more dangerous in a one-game knockout setting.
Why Finland Is a Real Test
Finland reached the semifinal with two wins in three games and showed resilience along the way. It opened with a comeback win over Germany, lost to the United States, then edged Czechia 5-4 to earn second place in Group B.
Goaltender Samu Heikkinen is the key name to know. He stopped 38 shots against Czechia and entered the semifinal with a .922 save percentage, one of the best marks in the tournament after the preliminary round.
Canada should expect more puck possession and more zone time. Finland, however, can stay compact, absorb pressure, and wait for turnovers or counterattack chances.
Canadian Players to Follow
Canada’s scoring has come from several places, which makes the roster hard to contain. The forward group has produced most of the offense, but the defense has also contributed steadily.
Maddox Schultz
Schultz led Canada in points after the preliminary round with one goal and six assists. His passing and awareness have helped drive much of the attack.
Liam Pue
Pue led the team in goals with four. He scored twice against Switzerland and added another against Sweden, giving Canada a consistent finisher around the net.
Kayden Stroeder
Stroeder posted three goals and three assists. He scored twice against Slovakia and continued to produce against Sweden, making him one of Canada’s most reliable all-around forwards.
Landon DuPont
DuPont has drawn attention as one of the top defensive prospects in the field. He recorded one goal and two assists, helped on the power play, and moved the puck cleanly out of Canada’s end.
Leif Oaten
Oaten’s job may become more important if the semifinal tightens. Canada has scored enough to win in most settings, but its goaltender could still face a key stretch if Finland keeps the score close.
What Canada Needs to Do
Canada’s clearest edge is depth. Four players sat among the tournament’s top seven scorers after the preliminary round: Maddox Schultz, Liam Pue, Kayden Stroeder, and Ryerson Edgar.
The defense has also chipped in, with DuPont, Jaakko Wycisk, Brock Cripps, and Alexis Joseph all contributing points. That spread of offense gives Canada multiple ways to win.
To reach the final, Canada needs three things:
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Stay disciplined and avoid unnecessary penalties
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Protect the puck through the neutral zone
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Create traffic, rebounds, and second chances against Heikkinen
If Canada keeps its structure and keeps pressing, it should have enough to get past Finland. A win would put the host nation one step from a record-extending 26th Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal.
