Cole Reschny Sets Up the Comeback as Canada Rallies Past Finland at the World Junior Showcase

Thursday’s results — Cole Reschny picked a good night to come back. A day after sitting out as a healthy scratch, the Flames’ 2025 first-rounder set up all three of Canada’s second-period goals as the team erased a 3-0 deficit and beat Finland 5-3 at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

Finland led 3-0 on goals from Julius Saari, Eetu Orpana, and Jesse Parssinen, the last one a power play with just under six minutes left in the second period. Canada answered fast: Dima Zhilkin scored twice in the next five minutes, both off feeds from Reschny, before Keaton Verhoeff one-timed a Reschny pass with 15 seconds left in the period to tie it 3-3.

Parker McLean: Verhoeff ties it at 3 off a feed from Reschny

Caleb Desnoyers put Canada ahead for good on a power play early in the third, and Jackson Smith added insurance to make it 5-3. Reschny finished with three assists, none on the scoreboard-icing goals, all three on the run that tied the game.

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis singled him out afterward: “Reschny wasn’t in the lineup yesterday but was one of Canada’s best players today. He was buzzing all over the place, hitting guys at both ends while also creating some quality chances on the attack… His ability to be engaged everywhere as a true play driver is one of the biggest reasons why he’ll challenge for the No. 1 C spot this winter.”

Carson Carels was a healthy scratch for the second time in four days after his tournament debut Wednesday. Chase Harrington played his second straight game and was held off the scoresheet.

The two teams stuck around for a 3-on-3 overtime and a full shootout afterward, evaluation reps that don’t touch the 5-3 final. Finland’s Vertti Svensk scored the extra-session winner, and Reschny closed out the shootout for Canada.

Parker McLean: Vertti Svensk scores the OT winner for Finland

On The Fly: Reschny's attempt from the full Canada-Finland shootout

Mark Masters: Reschny clinches the shootout for Canada

In the afternoon game, Sweden came back from 2-0 down to beat the United States 5-2. L.J. Mooney and Nick Bogas had the U.S. ahead early in the second before Linus Funck scored on the power play to make it a one-goal game, then tied it 2-2 in the third. Torkel Jennersjo put Sweden in front for good, and Leo Sundqvist capped a three-point night (a goal and two assists) with an empty-netter. Jack Hextall drew into the lineup and picked up an interference minor but didn’t factor on the scoresheet; Ethan Wyttenbach and Mace’o Phillips were both scratched.

The showcase wraps up Saturday: Sweden faces Finland at noon, and Canada closes out against the United States at 4 p.m.

Independent commentary. Not affiliated with the Calgary Flames or the NHL.