At the Milano Cortina 2026 paralympics, Canada edged China 4-2 to reach the gold-medal match; the win sends Canada to a final at the paralympics and sets up a three-time consecutive Canada–United States showdown for the Para ice hockey title. The final is scheduled for Sunday (15 March) at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Paralympics Semifinal: Canada 4, China 2
Canada advanced after a hard-fought 4-2 victory over China, its narrowest margin of victory at Milano Cortina 2026. Canadian captain Tyler McGregor opened the scoring with two first-period goals, the first on the power play and the second after a tipped play that slid under the Chinese goalkeeper. China pulled back into the match with power-play goals late in the first period and early in the second, leveling the score 1: 55 into the middle frame.
A late third-period deflection from Dominic Cozzolino put Canada ahead with 6: 07 remaining, and Liam Hickey sealed the result by wrapping the puck around the net with 4: 12 left. Canada’s goaltender stopped nine shots while China’s netminder made 17 saves. McGregor reflected on the win as a hard-fought path to the final, noting that the team had to battle through adversity to find a way to victory.
USA Advances; Declan Farmer Stars In 6-1 Win
The United States reached the gold-medal game earlier the same day with a 6-1 semifinal victory over Czechia. The U. S. will be chasing a fifth straight Paralympic title and its sixth overall. The American performance was powered by all-time scoring leader Declan Farmer, who recorded his fourth hat-trick in as many games at these Paralympics.
With the win, the United States remains unbeaten in Paralympic finals play and will meet Canada for the gold for the third consecutive Winter Games. China and Czechia will contest the bronze-medal game on Sunday, with China seeking to defend the bronze earned at Beijing 2022 and Czechia aiming for what would be its first Paralympic medal in Para ice hockey.
Edmonton Player On Standby As Team Prepares
As the Canadian squad prepared for the semifinal against China, Edmonton native Micah Kovacevich was reported ready to do whatever the team required in the playoff round. Known to teammates as “Kovy, ” he grew up an Edmonton Oilers fan and developed his competitive instincts early.
Kovacevich was born with spina bifida and first discovered para ice hockey after his father, Marian, who still skates recreationally, found the sport at a local rink. He began his wheelchair-athlete career in wheelchair basketball before committing to para ice hockey.
The roster mix of experienced scorers, role players prepared to adapt, and goaltending depth has left Canada positioned to challenge the United States’ run of Paralympic dominance. The immediate stakes are clear: the winner on Sunday will claim gold, while the runner-up settles for silver and the bronze contest will decide third place.
Officials have set the gold-medal match for Sunday (15 March) at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. With the bracket now finalized, teams will use the remaining time to address special-teams play, defensive matchups, and goaltending decisions ahead of the medal games.
