Canada Outlasts Finland 5–3 in Hlinka Gretzky Cup Opener
Beckham Edwards scores early, Liam Ruck nets game-winner as Canada improves to 1–0
BRNO, Czechia – Team Canada started their 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup campaign on a winning note, holding off a resilient Finland squad for a 5–3 victory Monday at Winning Group Arena. The win gives Canada an early lead in Group B ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with Switzerland.
Fast Start, Tight First Period
Canada jumped out to a quick lead just 58 seconds in when Beckham Edwards buried a feed from Mathis Preston and Ryan Lin. Minutes later, Keaton Verhoeff doubled the advantage at 8:55 with helpers from Ethan Belchetz and Tynan Lawrence.
Finland fought back, scoring twice before the first intermission to knot the game 2–2. Goals from Oscar Hemming and Jiko Laitinen swung momentum back to Finland.
GAME OVER! A win to get us going in Brno. 🇨🇦🇫🇮
MATCH FINI! Un gain en lever de rideau à Brno. 🇨🇦🇫🇮
📊 https://t.co/bhv6wO3UP2
📊 https://t.co/l60kZcc0uE #HlinkaGretzkyCup | #CoupeHlinkaGretzky pic.twitter.com/fcRlqNXBRp— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 11, 2025
Late Second-Period Lift
With less than 10 seconds left in the second period, Ryan Lin restored Canada’s lead on a setup from Adam Valentini and Belchetz, giving the Canadians a 3–2 cushion heading into the final frame.
Third-Period Finish
Dimian Zhilkin extended Canada’s lead at 8:19 of the third, finishing a pass from Verhoeff. After Finland pulled within one with a goal from Vilho Vanhatalo at 16:15, Belchetz sealed the win with an empty-netter at 19:55, assisted by Valentini and Verhoeff.
Between the Pipes
Goaltender Gavin Betts earned the win with a steady 23-save performance, holding Finland scoreless on five power plays. Canada went 0-for-1 with the man advantage but was perfect on the penalty kill despite being shorthanded eight times.
Scoring Summary
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1st, 0:58 – Beckham Edwards (Preston, Lin)
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1st, 8:55 – Keaton Verhoeff (Belchetz, Lawrence)
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2nd, 19:52 – Ryan Lin (Valentini, Belchetz)
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3rd, 8:19 – Dimian Zhilkin (Verhoeff)
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3rd, 19:55 EN – Ethan Belchetz (Valentini, Verhoeff)
Next Up
Canada faces Switzerland on Tuesday, August 12 at 9:30 a.m. EDT as they look to build momentum in the preliminary round.
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