Canada is one win from the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup final after sweeping its preliminary schedule in Edmonton. The host team now meets Finland in Friday’s semifinal, with a spot in Saturday’s title game on the line.
The Canadians looked sharp in the group stage, outscoring Switzerland, Slovakia, and Sweden 20-8. That balance of pace, skill, and depth has put them squarely among the tournament favorites.
Semifinal Details
Canada plays Finland on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
- 5 p.m. Mountain Time
- 7 p.m. Eastern Time
- 4 p.m. Pacific Time
- 8 p.m. Atlantic Time
- 8:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time
The semifinal winner advances to the gold medal game, while the loser heads to the bronze medal matchup.
The championship game is set for Saturday, August 8, also at Rogers Place, with the puck dropping at the same evening times listed above. The bronze medal game is scheduled earlier that day at noon Mountain Time. TSN and RDS are carrying the games from Edmonton.
Who Awaits the Winner
Canada will face either the United States or Slovakia if it reaches the final.
The United States and Slovakia meet in the other semifinal on Friday afternoon. The Americans finished the preliminary round unbeaten and allowed just six goals in three games, which is one reason they remain a serious threat to repeat as champions.
Slovakia would offer a familiar matchup. Canada beat the Slovaks 6-1 in the preliminary round, and Kayden Stroeder scored twice in that game. Even so, Slovakia still has one of the tournament’s top point producers in Tomas Selic, who led all players after the group stage with eight points.
How Canada Earned This Position
Canada’s path to the semifinal was straightforward: win every game, score often, and stay in control for most of the schedule.
- 7-3 vs. Switzerland: Liam Pue and Brock England each scored twice.
- 6-1 vs. Slovakia: Stroeder scored twice and Canada locked up first place in Group A.
- 7-4 vs. Sweden: Canada jumped ahead early, built a five-goal first period, and finished with 49 shots.
The only concern from the Sweden game was discipline. Canada let Sweden back into the contest with penalties, and that kind of lapse could matter much more in a one-game elimination setting.
Players Canada Will Lean On
Canada’s offense has not relied on one line or one star. Production has come from across the roster, which makes the team difficult to defend for sixty minutes.
Maddox Schultz
Schultz has been Canada’s most productive playmaker so far. The Regina Pats forward finished the preliminary round with one goal and six assists, putting him near the top of the tournament scoring race. His passing and vision have driven much of Canada’s attack.
Liam Pue
Pue enters the semifinal as Canada’s top goal scorer. He posted four goals and two assists in the group stage, including a two-goal effort against Switzerland. His finishing ability around the crease gives Canada another reliable scoring option.
Kayden Stroeder
Stroeder has been one of the team’s most complete forwards. He produced three goals and three assists in the preliminary round and gave Canada a big lift against Slovakia and Sweden.
Landon DuPont
DuPont has also drawn plenty of attention. The Everett Silvertips defenseman contributed one goal and two assists while helping Canada move the puck cleanly out of its zone. He also brings medal-round experience after winning bronze with Canada last year.
Leif Oaten
Oaten’s job may become more important if the semifinal turns into a tight, low-scoring game. He posted a 2.50 goals-against average in the preliminary round, and Canada may need timely saves if Finland slows the pace.
Why Finland Is a Real Test
Finland did not cruise into the semifinals, but it handled pressure well enough to survive.
The Finns opened with a comeback win over Germany, dropped a game to the United States, then edged Czechia 5-4 to secure second place in Group B. That final result showed their ability to stay composed in a high-stress finish.
Goaltender Samu Heikkinen is the key name to know. He turned aside 38 shots against Czechia and finished the preliminary round with a .922 save percentage, which ranked among the best at the tournament.
Canada should have more of the puck and more shot volume, but Finland is built to punish mistakes. If Canada gets impatient or careless in transition, Finland has the speed to make it pay.
What Canada Must Do to Finish the Job
Canada’s formula is clear: stay organized, keep the puck moving, and avoid giving Finland easy chances.
- Stay out of the penalty box, because special teams can swing a short tournament game quickly.
- Be patient in the offensive zone, since Heikkinen has already shown he can handle heavy pressure.
- Use depth scoring, because the lineup has too many weapons to depend on one line alone.
- Protect the puck in transition, because Finland will be waiting for turnovers.
Canada has the stronger overall attack, but semifinal hockey often comes down to discipline and execution. If the hosts keep their structure and keep generating net-front chances, they should give themselves a strong path to Saturday’s final.
Canada’s Bigger Goal
This tournament was always about more than a semifinal appearance. Canada arrived in Edmonton aiming for its record-extending 26th summer under-18 gold medal, and the team still has that target in reach.
The country has won 25 of the 34 gold medals awarded since the event began in 1991. It also won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in 2024, so the setting is already familiar for a roster trying to repeat that success.
Friday’s matchup is the last obstacle before the final. Beat Finland, and Canada gets one more shot at gold on Saturday night.