Vancouver, BC – May 15, 2025
USA secured a 6–3 victory over Finland at the 2025 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships in a competitive matchup held at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

USA opened the scoring at 16:32 of the first period when Nicholas Pecora scored, assisted by Samuel Holzrichter. Lukas Gold extended the lead to 2–0 at 1:38, assisted by Grant Isenbarger.

Finland responded at 9:40 with a goal from Severi Väre, assisted by Niklas Kitula and Leevi Palander.

In the second period, Santeri Ahola scored for Finland just 15 seconds in to tie the game at 2–2.

USA regained control with two goals:

  • Lukas Gold scored his second of the game at 12:34, assisted by Troy Benson and Grant Isenbarger.
  • Riley Redmon made it 4–2 at 2:13, assisted by Stewart DeLange.

In the third, Nicholas Pecora added his second of the night at 14:13, assisted by Bruce Green Audette and Samuel Holzrichter, extending USA's lead to 5–2.
Bruce Green Audette then scored at 5:10 with another assist from Holzrichter to make it 6–2.

Finland got one back at 10:04, with Julius Hyyppä scoring off assists from Aleksi Ahola and Severi Väre, but the game ended 6–3 in favor of USA.

Scoring Summary

First Period

  • 16:32 – USA – Nicholas Pecora (assist: Samuel Holzrichter)
  • 01:38 – USA – Lukas Gold (assist: Grant Isenbarger)
  • 09:40 – Finland – Severi Väre (assists: Niklas Kitula, Leevi Palander)

Second Period

  • 19:45 – Finland – Santeri Ahola (unassisted)
  • 12:34 – USA – Lukas Gold (assists: Troy Benson, Grant Isenbarger)
  • 02:13 – USA – Riley Redmon (assist: Stewart DeLange)

Third Period

  • 14:13 – USA – Nicholas Pecora (assists: Bruce Green Audette, Samuel Holzrichter)
  • 10:04 – Finland – Julius Hyyppä (assists: Aleksi Ahola, Severi Väre)
  • 05:10 – USA – Bruce Green Audette (assist: Samuel Holzrichter)

Penalty Summary

  • Finland:
    • Elias Nurminen – Tripping
    • Santeri Ahola – Roughing
    • Osku Mikkilä – Cross-checking
    • Aleksi Pylväs – Tripping
  • USA:
    • Bruce Green Audette – High-sticking
    • Cayden Herrera – Tripping
    • Milo Rydberg – Boarding
    • Stewart DeLange – Cross-checking
    • Tyler Balcerak – Tripping

Goaltending

  • USA: Curran Allison – 27 saves
  • Finland: Robert Edlund – 21 saves

Game Notes

  • Nicholas Pecora and Lukas Gold each scored two goals for USA.
  • Samuel Holzrichter had a strong night with multiple assists.
  • Finland kept pace early but couldn't close the gap in the third period.

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