Canada to battle U.S. for International Para Hockey Cup title for fifth straight year

Canada will play for gold at the International Para Hockey Cup after defeating host Czechia 2-0 in semifinal action Friday in Nymburk.

Liam Hickey scored the game-winning goal at 5:01 of the third period.

He added the team got off its game defensively, but didn't panic.

"They came out hard physically and fast which we expected," he said. "We built on our details period after period, and scoring in the third was just a product of our patience. We knew we had to stick to it all game, we had a lot of good chances and it finally paid off."

Tyler McGregor scored an insurance goal and added an assist in the win.

Dominic Cozzolino and Vincent Boily each chipped in with an assist.

Goaltender Corbin Watson recorded the shutout as Canada outshot Czechia 21-10.

Canada's Boily scores 4 goals in 7-0 drubbing of host Czechia

"We were solid defensively, Watty [Corbin Watson] played very well, and you can’t complain or ask for much more when you play and get three shutouts in a row," Canada head coach Boris Rybalka said.

The Canadians will face the United States in the gold medal game on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. It is a rematch of the last four tournament finals, all won by the Americans.

"Tomorrow is a big game. Just like last game against the U.S., we have to come out and go right after them like we did in the first game," Rybalka said.

"The key is we have to sustain it and play a complete 45-minute game. At the end of the day, the guys believe and know they can do it and win this, and that will be our goal."