Canada Ends USA’s Title Defense with Statement 4-0 Win

Canada shuts out defending champs USA

Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring and Sidney Crosby sealed it late as Canada cruised past the U.S., avenging last year’s quarter-final exit and advancing to the semis.

Goaltender Jet Greaves backstopped Canada with key saves while the offense fired on all cylinders in a 4-0 quarter-final win over the USA at the Ice Hockey World Championships...

Canada scored in every period on Thursday afternoon, rolling past reigning world champions USA 4-0 to book their place in the Ice Hockey World Championship semi-finals.

The Canadians came out aggressive, pushing deep into the American zone and creating a flurry of chances. At one point they led the shot count 7-0, but couldn’t solve goalie Devin Cooley, who was steady and sharp between the pipes for the U.S.

After a shock quarter-final loss to hosts Denmark last year, Canada finally broke through when Macklin Celebrini fired a power-play shot past Cooley’s glove at 18:31, giving the Canadians a deserved 1-0 lead.

Canada picked up right where they left off in the second period, controlling possession and keeping sustained pressure in the U.S. zone. The Americans looked overwhelmed but held firm defensively for a while. Their resistance broke midway through the period when Dylan Holloway had his initial shot blocked by Ryan Ufko, then reacted fastest to slam home the rebound.

Canada through to the final four! 🇨🇦🔥 #MensWorlds #IIHF @hockeycanada

🔗 Game recap: https://t.co/2HUL43F2Af pic.twitter.com/irEKlNBmR2

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 28, 2026

The U.S. had their chances to claw back into the game in the second period, but Canadian goaltender Jet Greaves stood tall with a series of sharp reflex saves to keep the lead intact.

Canada book their place in the semi-finals! 🇨🇦💪 #MensWorlds #IIHF @hockeycanada npic.twitter.com/xGHiXKiJWg

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 28, 2026

Connor Brown and Sidney Crosby added empty-net goals late in the third to put the result beyond doubt. For Canada, the win offered some relief to their fans after the Americans edged out their rivals to take gold in both the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey tournaments in Milan-Cortina earlier this year.