In a stellar performance, Gavin Betts recorded a 22-save shutout, leading Canada to a 3-0 victory against Finland to secure the bronze medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Saturday.The offensive charge was led by Cooper Williams, Ethan Belchetz, and Daxon Rudolph, whose goals helped Canada claim its 30th medal in the under-18 men’s hockey tournament. The team had narrowly missed the final, falling 4-3 to the United States in a shootout during Friday’s semifinal.
Cooper Williams opens up the scoring for Canada at 5:27 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Colin Fitzgerald and Daxon Rudolph.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-6 for Canada
Ethan Belchetz the first overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft makes it 2-0 for Canada on the Power Playat 14:44 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Landon Dupont and Captain Keaton Verhoeff
Shots on goal in the second period were 9-7 for Canada
Daxon Rudolph makes it 3-0 for Canada at 17:46 of the third period. The assist on the goal went to Spokane Chiefs Mathis Preston.
Shots on goal in the third period were 10-9 for Canada. Canada outshot the Finns 30-22 in the game.
Gavin Betts made saves on all the 22 shots that he faced for the shutout win. For the Finns William Gammals who plays for U20 Tappara stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be held in Edmonton in 2026. It will be the fifth time the international under-18 showcase is played in Canada, with Alberta previously hosting three times (Edmonton – 2024; Red Deer – 2022; Edmonton and Red Deer – 2018).
USA won the gold
