Bronze Medal Standing for Pierce Mbuyi at Hlinka Gretzky Cup 2025
OHL Owen Sound Attack

Bronze Medal Standing for Pierce Mbuyi at Hlinka Gretzky Cup 2025

Published on August 17, 2025 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release


Day 5 of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup delivered a dramatic finish, as Canada captured bronze for the first time in more than 30 years and the United States struck gold for the first time since 2003. With OHL standouts leading the way and special teams deciding momentum swings, the medal games capped off a week of high-stakes junior hockey in Czechia and Slovakia. The day also brought news that Edmonton, Alberta, will host the 2026 tournament. Here's how the final day unfolded:

Canada vs. Finland (Bronze Medal)

Final: 3 (CAN) - 0 (FIN)

After falling to the United States in the semifinals, Canada bounced back in a big way, shutting out Finland 3-0 to claim the bronze medal - their first at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup since 1993. The roster featured 11 OHL players who left Europe with bronze around their necks.

Cooper Williams opened the scoring on a first-period power play before Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires) doubled the lead in the second. With Finland pressing late, Daxon Rudolph sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute. Between the pipes, Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs) was rock solid, stopping all 22 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the tournament.

OHL Player Game Stats

Canada

Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires) - 1G, 0A

Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs) - 22 SV

United States vs. Sweden (Gold Medal)

Final: 5 (USA) - 3 (SWE)

The United States defeated Sweden 5-3 to capture the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup championship, their second in tournament history and first since 2003.

Sweden got off to a solid start when Elton Hermansson scored just 10 seconds into the game, but the Americans quickly answered. Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit) tied things up before Noah Davidson buried a cross-crease feed from Jack Hextall (Kitchener Rangers) nine seconds into a power play to give Team USA its first lead. Theodor Knights responded for Sweden to even the score at two, but again, the U.S. regained the advantage late in the opening period when Hextall converted on the power play, with assists from Blake Zielinski (Ottawa 67's) and Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit).

Klepov extended the lead 45 seconds into the second with another power-play strike, the Americans' third of the game. Hermansson answered with his second goal on a 5-on-3 advantage to cut the deficit, setting up a tense third period.

With Sweden pressing for the equalizer, Nick Bogas put the game away with the United States' fourth power-play goal of the night in the final two minutes, securing a 5-3 victory and the gold medal.

OHL Player Game Stats

United States

Jack Hextall (Kitchener Rangers) - 1G, 2A *

Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit) - 1G, 1A

Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit) - 1G, 1A

Joseph Salandra (Barrie Colts) - 0G, 1A

Blake Zielinski (Ottawa 67's) - 0G, 1A *

*- denotes prospect chosen in OHL Priority Selection or CHL Import Draft

OHL Medal Winning Players:

*- denotes prospect chosen in OHL Priority Selection or CHL Import Draft

Gold (United States)

Nick Bogas (Sarnia Sting) *

Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit)

Caden Harvey (Windsor Spitfires)

Jack Hextall (Kitchener Rangers) *

Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit)

Brooks Rogowski (Oshawa Generals)

Joseph Salandra (Barrie Colts)

Jaxon Williams (Ottawa 67's)

Blake Zielinski (Ottawa 67's) *

Silver (Sweden)

Marcus Nordmark (London Knights) *

Bronze (Canada)

Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)

Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

Callum Croskery (Soo Greyhounds)

Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)

Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)

Colin Fitzgerald (Peterborough Petes)

Jean-Christoph Lemieux (Windsor Spitfires)

Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)

Jason Schaubel (Kitchener Rangers)

Adam Valentini (Kitchener Rangers)

Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit)

Final Standings:

1st. United States

2nd. Sweden

3rd. Canada

4th. Finland

5th. Czechia

6th. Slovakia

7th. Switzerland

8th. Germany

Check out the Owen Sound Attack Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from August 17, 2025


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