CANADA TAKES GOLD IN MEN’S HOCKEY

MEN’S HOCKEY

After a challenging preliminary round, Team Canada built chemistry, found its game, and silenced any doubters, culminating in a thrilling 3-1 victory over Slovakia to claim the gold at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Torino, Italy. 

In front of a sold-out crowd at PalaTazzoli, the Canadians came out hungry in the first period. They dictated play with a power game, looking to impose their will on the Slovaks. Canada had a number of tremendous chances to score but looked like they’d have to settle for a scoreless opening frame. 

Until, with one second remaining, UBC’s Sasha Mutala took a pass from his Thunderbirds teammate Sam Huo in the slot and beat goaltender Patrik Andrisik with a wrist shot under the bar. The goal put a stamp on a tremendous tournament for the Vancouver product, who led all players in points. 

In the second period, Slovakia did well to push back and try to seize momentum back. They did test TMU’s Kai Edmonds, but the 2023 FISU gold medalist was up to the task. 

Canada would double their lead seven minutes into the second. A tic-tac-toe play went from Concordia’s Simon Lavigne to UQTR’s Conor Frenette, who found University of Calgary’s Colson Gengenbach in the slot. From there, the Dino did the rest, beating Andrisik and sending the Canadian fans in attendance into a frenzy.  

Slovakia would answer on the powerplay with five minutes remaining in the frame, on a seeing-eye point shot that Edmonds couldn’t see through a sea of bodies. 

The third period was a war of attrition. The Canadians, digging in with all their might, and the Slovaks, trying to find any way to equalize. The Canadians showed its mettle late, repeatedly bravely blocking shots and winning board battles to clear the puck out of harm’s way. 

In the final minute, Canada put the game away. Queen’s University’s Nolan Hutcheson, scored the empty net goal to make it 3-1 and essentially seal the victory.  

When the final buzzer sounded, Canada claimed a second consecutive Men’s Hockey FISU gold with a wonderful team game. The final shots were 42-25 in favour of the Canadians. Edmonds made 24 saves for the victory.