The opening day of preliminary play at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship delivered plenty of excitement, highlighted by dominant wins, late-game moments, and standout performances from OHL talent across both groups. Below is a breakdown of all the action from Day 1.
Group B
Canada vs. Czechia
Final: 7 (CAN) – 5 (CZE)
Canada earned a high-scoring 7-5 victory over a familiar rival in Czechia. The matchup marked Canada’s highest-scoring Boxing Day game since 2021, when they defeated Germany 16-2.
With Czechia responsible for Canada’s last two early tournament exits, both teams came out with intensity. Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds) opened the scoring for Canada before adding an assist on Michael Hage’s goal. Sandwiched between those tallies was Tomas Poletin’s equalizer, as he redirected a shot from Adam Benak (Brantford Bulldogs). With three goals scored in a four-minute span, the opening frame set the tone for a back-and-forth contest between the two rivals.
Vojtech Cihar tied the game 2-2 just four minutes into the second period, tipping home another Benak shot on a delayed Canadian penalty. Petr Sikora followed shortly after to give Czechia its first lead of the game. Cihar nearly added his second of the night, but Canada responded late in the frame as former Saginaw Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh blasted a point shot to even the score at three heading into the third. Czechia outshot Canada 11-5 in the second period.
The final frame stayed true to form, with four goals scored in six minutes. Parekh struck again early, this time on the power play, to give Canada the lead. But again, Czechia would have a response, as Poletin scored his second of the night to make it 4-4.
Canada would find separation for the first time with consecutive goals from Tij Iginla and Ethan MacKenzie, building a crucial cushion. This two-goal lead came in clutch as Tomas Galvas found the back of the net to cut the deficit down to one.
With the Czech net empty late in regulation, Canada called a timeout. Sam O’Reilly (London Knights) was sent out for the defensive-zone draw and won it cleanly. The puck was rimmed around the boards to Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts), who moved it up the middle to a rushing Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads), who sealed the win with an empty-net goal with just over a minute remaining.
Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) got the start in goal, making 27 saves in the win.
“This isn’t where we want to be,” said Parekh post game. We want to get better each game, and I think we have to manage the puck better. You look at all their goals and they all happened off turnovers and they won more battles than us. We came out with the win and that is all that matters, but we have to be better tomorrow.”
Both teams return to action on Saturday. Canada faces Latvia in the afternoon (4:30 p.m. ET), who last year pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history with a shootout win over the Maple Leafs. Czechia will take on Denmark in the evening (8:30 p.m. ET).
OHL Player Game Stats:
* denotes player who has not played an OHL game in the 2025-26 season
Canada
- Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)* – 2G
- Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds) – 1G, 1A
- Porter Martone (Brampton Steelheads)* – 1G
- Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts) – 1A
- Ben Danford (Brantford Bulldogs) – 1A
- Cameron Reid (Kitchener Rangers) – 1A
- Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)* – 1A
- Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) – 27 SV
Czechia
- Adam Benak (Brantford Bulldogs) – 2A
Finland vs. Denmark
Final: 6 (FIN) – 2 (DEN)
Finland set the tone early, scoring twice in the opening two minutes and cruising to a 6-2 victory over Denmark in its tournament opener.
Roope Vesterinen and Onni Kalto (Oshawa Generals) got the Finns on the board early before William Bundgaard cut the deficit in half four minutes later. Oliver Suvanto restored Finland’s two-goal lead on the power play, with Jasper Kuhta (Ottawa 67’s) picking up his second assist of the period.
Aatos Koivu extended the lead before Joona Sarelainen and Vesterinen, scoring his second of the game, capped off a three-goal stretch to make it 5-1.
Denmark found some life early in the third as Anton Linde scored on the power play, but that was as close as the Danes would get. Finland held on for the win, outshooting Denmark 43-10.
Denmark returns to action Saturday night against Czechia (8:30 p.m. ET), while Finland has the day off before facing Latvia on Sunday afternoon (4:30 p.m. ET).
OHL Player Game Stats:
Finland
- Jasper Kuhta (Ottawa 67’s) – 3A
- Onni Kalto (Oshawa Generals) – 1G
Group A
United States vs. Germany
Final: 6 (USA) – 3 (GER)
The host Americans secured a 6-3 win over Germany, scoring three goals in both the first and second periods.
Teddy Stiga opened the scoring for the United States before Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds) scored with a shot through traffic from the hash marks. Will Horcoff capped the opening surge with a one-timer. Germany responded late in the period as Timo Kose cut the deficit to two.
Germany carried that momentum into the second, as Simon Seidl brought the Germans within one. Will Zellers answered for the Americans to restore the two-goal cushion, but Germany struck again just 56 seconds later when Lenny Boos made it a one-goal game. On his next shift, Zellers responded with his second of the game. Both of his goals were assisted by AJ Spellacy (Windsor Spitfires).
Cole Eiserman added insurance with the game’s final goal as both teams were held scoreless in the third period.
Germany faces Slovakia on Saturday afternoon (2:00 p.m. ET), while the Americans take on Switzerland in the evening (6:00 p.m. ET).
OHL Player Game Stats:
United States
- AJ Spellacy (Windsor Spitfires) – 2A
- Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds) – 1G
Sweden vs. Slovakia
Final: 3 (SWE) – 2 (SVK)
Sweden held on for a 3-2 victory despite a late push from Slovakia in its tournament opener.
After a scoreless first period, Sweden struck twice in four minutes, with goals from Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund to take a 2-0 lead. Slovakia responded with less than 10 seconds left in the frame as Alex Misiak (Erie Otters) and Tomas Pobezal (Kingston Frontenacs) combined to bring the Slovaks within one heading into the third.
Sweden thought that they had extended their lead by two on a shorthanded goal early into the final period, but it was ultimately overturned for goaltender interference. Tomik Tobias would then tie the game for Slovakia just five minutes later. However, Ivar Stenberg answered for Sweden with just under four minutes remaining in regulation to secure the win.
Slovakia returns to action Saturday afternoon against Germany (2:00 p.m. ET), while Sweden has the day off before facing Switzerland on Sunday (2:00 p.m. ET).
OHL Player Game Stats:
Slovakia
- Tomas Pobezal (Kingston Frontenacs) – 1G
- Alex Misiak (Erie Otters) – 1A
Standings:
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As the official Canadian broadcast partners of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, TSN and RDS will carry all of Team Canada’s games, along with select international matchups. Fans are encouraged to check local listings for full broadcast details.
For more information on the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit iihf.com or follow on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
