The U.S. team at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup is feeling pretty good after its 4-3 shootout victory over a stacked Canadian team in the semifinals.

The USA went 3-for-3 in the shootout and, while the victory was sealed by Blake Zielinski’s “T.J. Oshie move” in the third round, Nikita Klepov was credited with the game-winning goal by scoring in the second round on the slowest penalty shot attempt you’ll ever see.

“Yeah, it’s easier when I go slow,” Klepov smiled. “I can see where the goalie’s pad is so it’s easier for me. I’ve had like four shootouts this season and I was always trying that move, so yeah, it works.”

Born in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Klepov is a dual American and Russian citizen and spent some of his childhood playing in Yekaterinburg in the foothills of the Ural Mountains, but has spent the last two seasons playing youth hockey in Pennsylvania and spent most of last season in the USHL for the Sioux City Musketeers, where he recorded 33 points in 64 regular-season and playoff games.

USA’s Blake Zielinski ‘Did a T.J. Oshie Move’ In The Shootout In the semifinals of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the USA’s Blake Zielinski assisted on Noah Davidson’s first-period power-play goal and then scored a PP marker of his own in the last minute of the second to give the USA a 3-1 lead.

This upcoming season, he will play for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, and a couple of his teammates are in this tournament as well – U.S. teammate Levi Harper and Canada’s Dima Zhilkin.

“They’re good players,” said Klepov. “We’re going to have a good team next year, so we’re excited about that.”

Like many players nowadays, Klepov can go to the Canadian Hockey League without losing the NCAA as an option. In fact, he’s already committed to Michigan State University.

“It’s definitely a great opportunity,” said Klepov. “The OHL’s a very good league for young players for development, so it’s a new opportunity now and I’m gonna try my best.”

USA & Sweden Both Win In Extra Time, Advance To Hlinka Gretzky Cup Final The two semifinal games of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup ran concurrently and both featured big momentum shifts.