Canada clinched a commanding 4-0 victory over the U.S. at the hockey worlds, extending their dominance in the historic rivalry. Macklin Celebrini scored twice, while Jet Greaves made 34 saves, showcasing Canada’s depth. The win marks their 29th title at the event, solidifying their status as tournament favorites. Earlier, Canada wasted a power-play opportunity after a five-minute major penalty, but Holloway and Brown capitalized with empty-net goals in the third period.

The rivalry intensified as this marked the first meeting since the U.S. won gold at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Canada’s victory ended America’s bid to reclaim the trophy they last held in 1933. Sidney Crosby and Dylan Holloway contributed to the scoring, with Celebrini breaking the deadlock on a power play. John Tavares praised Greaves, calling him the game’s best player. Canada’s consistency—averaging 4.5 goals per game at the worlds this year—highlights their readiness for the semifinals.

This result reshapes the tournament landscape. Semifinals now pit Canada against Finland, who defeated Czechia 4-1, and hosts Switzerland against Sweden. For the U.S., the loss raises questions about their playoff resilience. Matthew Tkachuk, chasing the Triple Gold Club, acknowledged Canada’s superior play. With Celebrini’s six-goal tournament tally and Greaves’ shutout, Canada’s path to gold appears clearer. The semifinal matchups promise high stakes, but Canada’s historical edge and current form give them a significant advantage.