Canada is one win from the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup final after sweeping its preliminary round in Edmonton. The host team now meets Finland in Friday’s semifinal at Rogers Place, with a chance to play for gold on Saturday.
Semifinal Details and Final Path
Canada’s semifinal against Finland is set for Friday, August 7, 2026, at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time, 5 p.m. Mountain Time, 4 p.m. Pacific Time, 8 p.m. Atlantic Time, and 8:30 p.m. Newfoundland Time. The winner moves on to Saturday’s championship game, while the loser drops into the bronze-medal matchup.
The other semifinal features the United States and Slovakia, also on Friday. The United States arrives as the defending champion after winning the 2025 tournament, while Slovakia already knows what it is like to face Canada after losing 6-1 in the preliminary round.
| Game | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada vs. Finland semifinal | Friday, August 7 | 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. MT | Rogers Place |
| United States vs. Slovakia semifinal | Friday, August 7 | 2 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. MT | Rogers Place |
| Gold-medal game | Saturday, August 8 | Evening | Rogers Place |
| Bronze-medal game | Saturday, August 8 | Noon MT | Rogers Place |
How Canada Arrived Here
Canada looked sharp throughout the group stage, winning all three games and putting up 20 goals. The tournament began with a 7-3 victory over Switzerland, followed by a 6-1 win over Slovakia and a 7-4 finish against Sweden. Those results gave Canada first place in Group A and a direct route to the semifinals.
- Canada opened with a 7-3 win over Switzerland.
- Canada then beat Slovakia 6-1.
- Canada closed the round robin with a 7-4 win over Sweden.
- The team finished 3-0 with 20 goals for and 8 against.
The offense has been the headline, but Canada has also shown depth across multiple lines and pairings. Four players finished the preliminary round among the tournament’s top seven scorers, which made the Canadian attack difficult to contain in any one matchup.
Players and Matchup Notes to Watch
Maddox Schultz has been Canada’s most productive playmaker so far, while Liam Pue has led the scoring race on the Canadian side. Kayden Stroeder also delivered a strong all-around preliminary round, and defenseman Landon DuPont added offense from the blue line while helping push the puck up ice.
- Maddox Schultz produced one goal and six assists in the preliminary round.
- Liam Pue scored four goals and added two assists.
- Kayden Stroeder finished with three goals and three assists.
- Landon DuPont recorded one goal and two assists from defense.
Canada’s goaltending will matter more as the games tighten. Leif Oaten posted a 2.50 goals-against average in the preliminary round, and the team may need him to stay calm if Finland keeps the score close early.
Finland reached the semifinal with two wins in three games, including a 5-4 victory over Czechia to secure its place. Goaltender Samu Heikkinen stopped 38 shots in that game and entered the semifinal with a .922 save percentage, making him one of the steadier netminders in the tournament.
Canada should see more of the puck, but Finland has already shown resilience and enough defensive structure to make opponents work for every chance. If Canada stays disciplined, creates traffic around the net, and avoids turning the game into a special-teams battle, it will like its chances of reaching the final.
What a Win Would Mean
A victory would put Canada into Saturday’s gold-medal game and keep alive its pursuit of a record-extending 26th summer under-18 title. Canada has won 25 of the 34 gold medals awarded since the event began in 1991, and it last captured the championship in Edmonton in 2024.
The home crowd, the scoring depth, and the blue-line production all point toward another strong run. Still, none of it matters until Canada gets through Finland first.