For the eleventh time in the last twelve years, Team USA is heading back to the gold medal game. The Americans powered past fourth seed China 6-1 in Friday’s semifinal at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championship, earning a highly anticipated match with rival Canada in Saturday’s final.

Jack Wallace opened the scoring in the first period on a power play, burying a shot setup by Joshua Misiewicz and Brody Roybal to give the U.S. an early lead. From there, the Americans never looked back. “The team played really well,” Wallace, said after the game. “We’re just focused.”

The team certainly showed focus in the second period. Declan Farmer extended the lead with a power-play goal, then assisted on back-to-back even-strength tallies by Evan Nichols and Captain Josh Pauls. Although China responded with their lone goal of the game, Team USA immediately answered, with Farmer netting his second of the night 30 seconds later. Team USA was up 5-1 at the end of the second period.

Wallace added his second goal in the final period on another power play, capping off a three-point night. “We’re going to finish this game out regardless of whatever the score is,” Wallace said.

Farmer and Wallace led the offensive charge this afternoon, combining for four goals and four assists. Roybal added two more assists during the game, while Kayden Beasley added a helper as well.  Farmer and Wallace lead the entire tournament roster in scoring going into the medal match ups.

Team USA outshot China 30-9, controlling play throughout. Before being pulled before the start of the third, China’s Ji Yan Zhao managed just 18 saves on 23 shots. Replacement net minder, Wang Wei managed to stop six of seven shots.  On the American side, Griffin Lamarre turned away eight of nine shots to earn his second win of the tournament.

“It was a game full of special teams, so it was kind of tough getting the flow there are so many penalties and penalty kills,” Wallace said. This was Team USA’s most penalized game of the tournament, with five minors assessed, but their penalty kill remained flawless.

The American power play was sharp once again, converting three out of six chances and applying pressure during man-advantage situations. “I think we just did a great job of communicating on the power play,” Wallace said. “And it paid off.”

Farmer now leads tournament scoring with 10 goals, combined with 8 assists through four games. Wallace is right behind with 6 goals and 9 assists. The Americans have outscored their opponents by a combined 35-4 margin, showcasing depth, discipline, and a hunger for redemption.

Saturday’s gold medal game against Canada will be a rematch of the 2024 final, where the Canadians handed Team USA a rare defeat on the international stage.

Team USA enters the final with an all-time record of 52-3-1-16 (W-OTW-OTL-L), while the Canadians carry a nearly identical mark of 48-3-1-16. When asked the intensity and history of playing medal ice hockey matches against Team Canada, Wallace said, “It’s the greatest rivalry in sports — men’s, women’s, sled,” said Wallace. “Anytime we play them there’s going to be fireworks. It’s going to be a tight one for sure.”

The fireworks start Saturday at 4 pm Eastern Time.