2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Day Two Recap

Day Two of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup delivered high-intensity hockey across both host cities—Trenčín, Slovakia, and Brno, Czechia From USA’s penalty trouble to Slovakia’s nail-biting late winner, fans were treated to momentum swings, power-play fireworks, and plenty of drama.

Game 1: Sweden 5 – 3 USA

Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium – Trenčín, Slovakia

First Period
Team USA started strong on day two of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup when Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll opened the scoring at 1:57. At 16:41, Levi Harper doubled the lead on the power play, assisted by Kalder Varga. The Americans had early jump, but penalties soon began to mount, giving Sweden life.

Second Period
Sweden struck at 2:31 with a power-play goal from Marcus Nordmark (assists: Nils Bartholdsson, Malte Gustafsson). USA answered at 4:19 with a man-advantage tally by Blake Zielinski (assists: Will McLaughlin, Nikita Klepov) to restore a two-goal cushion. Another penalty proved costly when Bosse Meijer scored on the power play at 17:05 (assists: Elton Hermansson, Oscar Holmertz) to make it 3–2.

Third Period
The Swedes flipped the game in 90 seconds. At 6:59, Malte Gustafsson tied it (assists: Marcus Nordmark, Adam Andersson). Just 29 seconds later, Mikael Kim gave Sweden the lead (assists: Ludvig Andersson, Ola Palme). On another man advantage, Elton Hermansson added insurance at 8:25 (assists: Alex Elofsson, Max Isaksson). USA’s penalty trouble ultimately sealed their fate.

Game 2: Finland 4 – 1 Czechia

Winning Group Arena – Brno, Czechia

First Period
Both sides battled through a scoreless opening frame, with penalty kills on each side stepping up.

Second Period
Finland’s power play took over. At 4:59, Oscar Hemming scored (assists: Max Laatikainen, Oliver Suvanto). At 13:36, Luka Arkko added another man-advantage goal (assists: Wilmer Kallio, Samu Alalauri). Czechia struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure.

Third Period
The hosts cut the deficit at 13:22 when Petr Tomek scored (assist: Jan Trefny). Finland responded quickly—Oliver Suvanto restored the two-goal lead at 15:20 (assist: Julius Suominen), and Vili Niemi added the dagger moments later.

Game 3: Slovakia 1 – 0 Germany

Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium – Trenčín, Slovakia

First Period & Second Period
Goaltending and structure were the themes for the first 40 minutes for this matchup at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Both penalty kills stayed perfect, and clean defensive play limited scoring chances.

Third Period
With overtime looming, Matej Stankoven found the net at 18:48 (assists: Jakub Floris, Juraj Jonas Durco). Slovakia held firm to secure the shutout win.

Game 4: Canada 9 – 1 Switzerland

Winning Group Arena – Brno, Czechia

First Period
Neither side could find the back of the net despite Canada outshooting Switzerland 16–4.

Second Period
Canada opened the scoring just eight seconds into the period on a power-play goal by Dimian Zhilkin (assists: Landon DuPont, Ethan Belchetz). The physical play ramped up, with multiple penalties on both sides, but no further scoring.

Third Period
Canada exploded for eight goals in the final frame. Mathis Preston scored at 6:18 (assist: Markus Ruck) and again 20 seconds later by Dimian Zhilkin (assists: Pierce Mbuyi, Tynan Lawrence). Adam Valentini extended the lead at 7:02 (assist: Thomas Rousseau), followed by Preston’s second of the period at 8:40 (assists: Liam Ruck, Ryan Lin). Switzerland broke the shutout at 13:14 when Yanis Lutz scored (assist: Thierry Berger). Canada answered back with Preston’s hat trick goal at 13:59 (assist: Markus Ruck), Valentini’s second at 15:04 (assists: Daxon Rudolph, Thomas Rousseau), Ethan Belchetz at 17:32 (assists: Alessandro Di Iorio, Colin Fitzgerald), and Ryan Lin at 19:26 (assist: Thomas Rousseau).

Upcoming Games – Wednesday, August 13, 2025

9:30 AM EDT – Gm #9 (Preliminary)
Switzerland (0–2–0) vs Finland (1–1–0)
Winning Group Arena – Brno, Czechia

9:30 AM EDT – Gm #10 (Preliminary)
Germany (0–2–0) vs United States (1–1–0)
Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium – Trenčín, Slovakia

1:00 PM EDT – Gm #11 (Preliminary)
Sweden (2–0–0) vs Slovakia (1–1–0)
Pavol Demitra Ice Stadium – Trenčín, Slovakia

2:00 PM EDT – Gm #12 (Preliminary)
Canada (2–0–0) vs Czechia (1–1–0)
Winning Group Arena – Brno, Czechia

Looking Ahead

With only one day left in preliminary play, group standings are tightening. Sweden and Canada remain perfect, while USA and Slovakia fight to secure semifinal berths. Finland’s power play is hitting stride at the right time, and Switzerland and Germany are eager to avoid finishing winless. Expect high stakes and playoff-level intensity in the final day of group action.gs are tightening and every point matters. Sweden and Canada remain perfect, while the U.S. and Slovakia aim to keep medal-round hopes alive. Finland’s power play is heating up at the right time, and Germany and Switzerland are desperate to avoid a winless group stage. Expect physical play, high stakes, and a playoff-like atmosphere as teams fight for semifinal spots.