PLYMOUTH, Michigan – In the game everyone was looking forward to most at the World Junior Summer Showcase, old rivals met to close out the event. Canada played USA for the first and only time this week, bringing a feisty competition between the two talented hockey clubs.

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The game lived up to the expectations as it provided fast-paced, physical hockey that felt more like December than August. In the end, Team USA pulled out a 5-4 win in a shootout over Canada, with Brodie Ziemer (BUF) scoring the game-winner and Hampton Slukynsky (LAK) stopping five of six shooters.

It was about as good a game as you can hope for in a summer evaluation camp with both clubs delivering in a big way.

Here's a look at some of the main takeaways from Saturday's finale including scouting reports on standout players.

Team USA Lines, Defense Pairings And Goaltenders Vs. Canada

Quentin Musty (SJS) – James Hagens (2025) – Cole Eiserman (NYI)
Max Plante (DET) – Chris Pelosi (BOS) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)
Mac Swanson (PIT) – Carey Terrance (ANA) – Noah Powell (PHI)
Beckett Hendrickson (BOS) – Brandon Svoboda (SJS) – AJ Spellacy (CHI)

Cole Hutson (WSH) – EJ Emery (NYR)
Paul Fischer (STL) – Logan Hensler (2025)
Zach Schulz (NYI) – Aram Minnetian (DAL)
Colin Ralph (STL) – Adam Kleber (BUF)

Hampton Slukynsky (LAK)
Nick Kempf (WSH)

Power Play Units

1: Hutson, Hagens, Eiserman, Plante, Ziemer

2: Hensler, Musty, Hendrickson, Swanson, Powell

Canada Lines, Defense Pairings And Goaltenders Vs. USA

Bradly Nadeau (CAR) – Riley Heidt (MIN) – Andrew Cristall (WSH)
Malcolm Spence (2025) – Cole Beaudoin (UTA) – Porter Martone (2025)
Denver Barkey (PHI) – Berkly Catton (SEA) – Calum Ritchie (COL)
Tij Iginla (UTA) – Jett Luchanko (PHI) – Beckett Sennecke (ANA)

Sam Dickinson (SJS) – Andrew Gibson (NSH)
Noah Chadwick (TOR) – Carter Yakemchuk (OTT)
Sawyer Mynio (VAN) – Zayne Parekh (CGY)

Joshua Ravensbergen (2025)
Carson Bjarnason (PHI)

Canada Power Play Units

1: Parekh, Heidt, Cristall, Barkey, Luchanko

2: Yakemchuk, Nadeau, Catton, Ritchie, Iginla

Scoring Summary – USA 5, Canada 4 (SO)

USA Goals: Svoboda, Spellacy, Musty, Eiserman

Canada Goals: Catton, Luchanko, Barkey Ritchie

Shootout Summary

Canada: Nadeau (goal), Heidt (save), Cristall (save), Martone (miss), Luchanko (miss), Nadeau (save)

USA: Eiserman (save), Musty (goal), Hagens (save), Plante (save), Hutson (save), Ziemer (goal)

USA Vs. Canada Player Scouting Reports

Hampton Slukynsky, G (LAK)

He may have given up four goals in regulation, but Slukynsky was routinely a difference maker. He played the entire game, finishing with 34 saves and stopping five of six shooters in the shootout. It was a big moment for the USHL Goalie of the Year to show why he is the front-runner to back up Trey Augustine (DET) in Ottawa. He stepped up in a major way, including multiple key saves in overtime where he showed his athleticism and ability to battle to make the stops. It was a big afternoon for him.

Carson Bjarnason, G (PHI)

Bjarnason came in and allowed just one goal, making several key stops. He finished the game with 27 saves on 28 shots while playing the second half of the game, which can be awfully tough to come in for. Bjarnason was ready to play though and it showed. He had some clutch stops and also saved four of six shootout attempts. Bjarnason was settled, steady and really never looked like he was breaking a sweat while making some tough saves. Some of his best work came in front of the Flyers brass and scouts, sitting on his end during a busy second period.

Brandon Svoboda, C/W (SJS)

Svoboda scored the game's first goal and made an impact with his size and speed. He finished camp as one of its top scorers, which is not something I would have expected. USA wants all four lines to score and Svoboda very likely would be playing at the bottom of their lineup. He showed there's a lot of value in what he brings, especially when he can move as well as he does for such a big player.

AJ Spellacy, RW (CHI)

Spellacy had his best game because it was a fast, physical game. He scored a goal off a nice pass from Beckett Hendrickson. While I don't think Spellacy's chances for making the roster this year are good, he absolutely proved he belonged and was a sound invite to camp. He was able to throw his big 6-foot-3 frame around, while also creating some pressure with his speed. He's a project player, but the atheticism is off the charts.

Berkly Catton, C (SEA)

Over the course of the game, I thought Catton was his team's most threatening player. There was a lot to like about how his speed game challenged USA's defense and how he was able to create in transition. He was solid on the power play and made a number of nice plays to the interior, especially with his high-end passing ability. Catton's dynamic skill set is fun to watch and he processes the game at such a high speed, too.

Cole Eiserman, LW (NYI)

Eiserman scored a big goal for the U.S. on a power-play one-timer. He was also active in other ways, making some solid plays to the interior and trying to get off some creative passes. He still has some work to do to make the final roster, but he is an absolute weapon on the power play and special teams is a critical piece to winning at the World Juniors. He provided a good reminder today.

Calum Ritchie, RW (COL)

Ritchie was consistently noticeable in the game, showcasing his skill and poise with the puck. He made some nice one-on-one plays and also provided some of a physical element to the game. He has some real touch on the puck, which wasn't a surprise, but it was impressive how often he was able to extend plays and make things tough on USA's blue line. Ritchie scored a goal on a loose puck play, too.

Other news, notes and observations

• It seemed that USA's roster today was the players most likely to be in the mix for spots in December. While USA's coaching staff didn't say much about the philosophy, judging by how camp went, the game against Canada seemed like a reward. It was a chance for USA Hockey to get a look at a lot of players who could be on the bubble in December. Stay tuned for a projected roster coming Sunday, as well as scouting reports on all 46 participants at the World Junior Summer Showcase.
• Canada's got a lot of talent and we'll have full player evals from their two games played in Plymouth coming soon.
• Finland beat Sweden 5-3 in the early game.

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