Canada, US Lead Semifinal Field at Para Ice Hockey Worlds
The semifinal field is set at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships after three days of preliminary round competition that delivered drama and decisive results in equal measure.
Defending champion Canada and host United States topped their respective groups to earn the top seeds heading into Friday’s semifinals, while China and the Czech Republic claimed the remaining spots in the medal round.
Group A: Canada Survives Chinese Challenge
Canada finished atop Group A with nine points but faced its stiffest test yet in a 4-2 victory over China that showcased the tournament’s most competitive hockey to date.
“We expected that China would give us a real good test,” said Canadian head coach Russ Herrington. “They move the puck really well, they’re extremely fast and skilled.”
The teams entered the second period tied 1-1 before Canada seized control with strong penalty-killing efforts that shifted momentum permanently in their favor. Forward Dominic Cozzolino scored the first two Canadian goals, including an early third-period marker that proved decisive.
“I really like the way we stuck to our identity today,” said Cozzolino, who was named player of the game. “We could have come out and got frustrated that pucks weren’t going to the back of the net for us, but I just love our resilience.”
Goaltender Corbin Watson made 13 saves to backstop the victory, earning praise from teammate Adam Dixon, who scored the game-winner.
China finished second in Group A with six points, securing their semifinal berth despite the loss.
Group B: Americans Weather Czech Storm
The United States survived a dramatic third-period comeback attempt by the Czech Republic to win 4-3 and claim the top seed in Group B.
Leading 4-1 after two periods, the Americans watched the Czechs score twice in the final frame to cut the deficit to one goal. Czech Republic nearly completed the comeback when a late shot beat U.S. goaltender Jen Lee but sailed wide by inches.
“We aren’t always in games that are like that,” said U.S. head coach David Hoff, who used the close finish as a teaching moment for younger players. “If you never put players in that situation, how do they ever have the chance to excel at that?”
Defenseman Jack Wallace scored the game-winner and added an assist, while forward Declan Farmer contributed two goals and an assist. Wallace, playing in front of family and friends, emphasized the significance of competing on home soil.
“It means the world to play on home soil in front of our own friends and family,” Wallace said. “Their support means everything to us because they have been supporting us our whole lives.”
Czech Republic finished second in Group B with six points, advancing to the semifinals despite the loss. Head coach Jakub Novotny praised his team’s resilience.
“Overall, I am very happy with the way we played today,” Novotny said.
Qualification Round Set
The tournament’s bottom four teams will compete in Wednesday’s qualification round, with Paralympic qualification on the line for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.
Slovakia defeated Norway 4-1 behind David Korman’s goal and two assists, though captain Martin Joppa wasn’t entirely satisfied with his team’s performance.
“It’s a great win, but I don’t think we played a good game,” Joppa said. “After we scored our second goal, we stopped playing and Norway was much better for 20 minutes.”
Germany completed the day’s action with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over South Korea. After trailing 2-1 entering the third period, Germany tied the game with seconds remaining in the second period on Bas Disveld’s goal.
Bernhard Hering won it in overtime, cutting across center ice and firing a top-corner wrist shot past the Korean goaltender.
“I expect a tough fight,” Hering said of Wednesday’s qualification matchup against Norway. “We met them in Norway last year, where they took the win for the gold medal in the B Pool and now we’re going to take them on.”
Looking Ahead
Wednesday’s qualification round features Germany vs. Norway and Slovakia vs. South Korea, with the winners meeting Friday to determine fifth place and Paralympic qualification.
The semifinals begin Friday with Canada facing the Czech Republic, followed by the United States taking on China. Winners advance to Saturday’s gold medal game, while the losing semifinalists will play for bronze.
The tournament continues to showcase the speed, skill and competitiveness that has made para ice hockey one of the Paralympic Winter Games’ most popular sports.
Complete scores, stats and schedule from the World Para Ice Hockey Championships can be found here.