USA and Canada Set for Historic Showdown in World Para Hockey Final

Buffalo, NY – May 31, 2025 — One of the fiercest rivalries in ice hockey is about to ignite again, this time on the grand stage of the World Para Hockey Championship final. Team USA and Team Canada will face off for gold on Saturday afternoon — marking the eighth consecutive final between the North American powerhouses in the tournament’s history.

But this year, there’s more than just a gold medal on the line.

If the U.S. Para Hockey Team wins, it will become the first nation in history to complete a clean sweep of major international hockey titles — the IIHF Women’s, Men’s, and Para Hockey World Championships — all in the same calendar year. The final takes place at 4 p.m. ET, streamed live on Peacock, with the eyes of both nations firmly fixed on the ice at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo.

The Americans arrive in top form, having outscored opponents 35-4 in the tournament so far. In Friday’s semifinal, they delivered a clinical 6-1 victory over China, powered by Declan Farmer and Jack Wallace, who both scored twice. Evan Nichols and Josh Pauls added goals, rounding off a dominant performance that showcased speed, accuracy, and relentless pressure.

Their archrivals, Canada, have been no less impressive — scoring 30 goals and conceding just 2 through their four games. In their semifinal, they shut out Czechia 3-0 thanks to first-period goals from Liam Hickey and Adam Dixon, scored just 18 seconds apart, and a third from Tyler McGregor.

“We came out flying and kept our composure all night,” said Hickey. “Games like these, especially hard-hitting ones, are fun to play in — and we’ll need that same mentality in the final.”

Canada has momentum on its side. After snapping the U.S.’s 41-game win streak in last year’s championship final, they beat the Americans again in their most recent encounter before this tournament. Prior to those victories, however, Canada had suffered over 20 consecutive losses to their southern rivals.

Now, with both teams in peak form, Saturday’s final promises to be a collision of speed, strategy, and grit, with national pride and sporting history hanging in the balance.

It’s not just about gold. For Team USA, it’s about etching their name into the annals of sports history. For Team Canada, it’s about defending their crown and proving that last year’s breakthrough was no fluke.

In a sport built on resilience and rivalry, this gold-medal clash could be the most electric yet.