Vancouver, BC – May 10, 2025
In one of the most exciting games of the 2025 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships, Team Canada held off a late USA rally to secure a thrilling 7–6 victory at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

Canada came out strong, scoring the first two goals of the night. Andrew Hughes opened the scoring just over a minute in, assisted by Matthew Sheffield and Nathan Flodell, followed quickly by Sheffield adding another to make it 2–0.

USA answered back midway through the first period. Milo Rydberg got USA on the board, followed by Cayden Herrera tying the game 2–2 after a power-play chance.

In the second period, USA built momentum. Grant Isenbarger gave them the lead on a power-play goal, and Jake Schlereth made it 4–2 just a minute later.

But Canada roared back:

  • Andrew Hughes scored his second goal unassisted.
  • Ryan Chramtchenko tied it after a great feed from Hughes and Sheffield.
  • Johnny Kyte and Matthew Sheffield scored 79 seconds apart, turning a two-goal deficit into a 6–4 Canadian lead by the end of the second.

Early in the third, Hughes completed his hat trick on a key insurance goal, pushing the lead to 7–4.

USA pushed hard:

  • Nicholas Pecora cut the lead to 7–5.
  • Lukas Gold made it 7–6 with eight minutes left.

In the final minutes, goaltender Brent Walters stood tall, and Johnny Kyte led a critical defensive effort to help Canada survive the late surge and claim the win.

Scoring Summary

First Period

  • 18:57 – Canada – Andrew Hughes (assists: Matthew Sheffield, Nathan Flodell)
  • 15:55 – Canada – Matthew Sheffield (assist: Nathan Flodell)
  • 10:22 – USA – Milo Rydberg (assist: Nicholas Pecora)
  • 07:09 – USA – Cayden Herrera (assist: Troy Benson)

Second Period

  • 18:57 – USA – Grant Isenbarger (assists: Cayden Herrera, Caleb Hoffman) (PPG)
  • 17:36 – USA – Jake Schlereth (assists: Troy Benson, Grant Isenbarger)
  • 13:37 – Canada – Andrew Hughes (unassisted)
  • 10:44 – Canada – Ryan Chramtchenko (assists: Andrew Hughes, Matthew Sheffield)
  • 08:42 – Canada – Johnny Kyte (assists: Ryan Chramtchenko, Tyson Gillies)
  • 07:23 – Canada – Matthew Sheffield (assist: Tyson Gillies)

Third Period

  • 18:59 – Canada – Andrew Hughes (assists: Jack DesRoches, Nathan Flodell)
  • 14:10 – USA – Nicholas Pecora (assist: Stewart DeLange)
  • 08:17 – USA – Lukas Gold (assist: Troy Benson)

Penalty Highlights

  • Canada:
    • Sam Kyte (kneeing), Tyson Gillies (major penalty for kneeing), Sean Kyte (roughing, hooking), and others.
  • USA:
    • Jake Schlereth (match penalty), Milo Rydberg (holding), multiple minors.

Game Notes

  • Andrew Hughes finished with a hat trick and an assist.
  • Matthew Sheffield recorded 2 goals and 2 assists.
  • Canada scored five straight goals during the second and early third periods to take control.
  • Brent Walters made key saves late, and Johnny Kyte anchored Canada's defense in the final minutes.