Canada's Para hockey team focused on semis ahead of potential gold-medal rematch vs. U.S.

Canada's Para ice hockey team waited four years for a Paralympic rematch against the U.S. 

Star forward Billy Bridges said that, like for many of us, it felt more like 12.

"The entire world has gone through something incredible and devastating and horrific. And you know, it certainly gives you perspective once you finally get here of just how slow the days seem to go, but how fast four years can go," Bridges told CBC Sports.

The Americans beat Canada in the gold-medal game at the 2018 Paralympics in Pyeongchang after netting the equalizer with 38 seconds remaining before winning in overtime.

A low-stakes version of the rivalry played out between Canada and the U.S. to open the Beijing tournament, with the Canadians falling flat in a 5-0 loss.

WATCH | Canada drops Paralympic opener:

The high-stakes version seems like an inevitability.

Canada went on to crush the Koreans 6-0 and will play them again in the semifinals on Thursday at 11 p.m. ET.

The Americans, who also beat Korea 9-1 in the round robin, take on China at 7:05 a.m. ET on Friday.

The final goes Saturday at 11 p.m. ET. But Bridges and his teammates are being careful to not look too far ahead.

"It's human nature to think ahead. And I know how important winning that semifinal game is because you win the semifinal and boom, you are a Paralympic medallist. Trying to just stay even keeled and in the moment and make sure we win that game," Bridges said.

WATCH | Canada rebounds for win over Korea:

Bridges, of Summerside, P.E.I., is the only Canadian to ever record at least 100 goals and 100 assists in international play.

He's the oldest player on a team featuring a pair of 21-year-olds including James Dunn, who tallied a hat trick against Korea. The team also has