Overview
- Victor Plante ended the series 5:53 into sudden-death overtime after Team CHL’s 4–3 regulation win in Lethbridge forced the extra frame.
- The U.S. set up the clincher by taking Game 1 in Calgary 4–2 behind a 42-save performance from Brady Knowling as the CHL outshot them 44–26 and went scoreless on five power plays.
- In Game 2, the U.S. led 3–1 before the CHL rallied with a shorthanded strike from captain Caleb Malhotra, an equalizer by Alessandro Di Iorio, and a late power‑play tip by Xavier Villeneuve; goalies Zachary Jonvanovski and Luke Carrithers made 24 and 33 saves in regulation.
- Coverage across outlets highlighted the NTDP’s year‑long chemistry versus a CHL roster assembled by NHL Central Scouting, with goaltending and special teams cited as decisive factors.
- The result flips last year’s CHL sweep, sharpens 2026 NHL Draft evaluations for several prospects, and organizers say the 2026 edition will be staged in two yet‑to‑be‑named QMJHL markets.