2023 World Juniors daily: Jan. 2

It’s quarterfinals day at the 2023 World Juniors!

Four semi-final spots are up for grabs as Halifax and Moncton each host two games while the relegation round also gets underway this morning.

2023 World Juniors quarterfinals

Finland vs. Sweden — 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT
Czechia vs. Switzerland — 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT
USA vs. Germany — 4 pm ET / 1 p.m. PT
Canada vs. Slovakia — 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT

The day ahead

An all-Scandinavian clash kicks off the quarterfinals as Finland face Sweden in Moncton. Finland, who silver in 2022, finished second in Group B with a 2-1-1 record while Sweden, who won bronze last year but haven’t claimed a gold medal since 2012, were third in Group A.

The winners of Group A, Czechia, will face Switzerland in Halifax. The Czechs finished fourth last year and haven’t medalled since a bronze medal in 2005 but have impressed this year. Led by star defencemen David Spacek (SHE) and Stanislav Svozil (REG), as well as CHL forwards Jakub Brabenec (CHA), Matyas Sapovaliv (SAG) and Gabriel Szturc (KEL), Czechia beat Canada in their tournament opener while their only blemish thus far was an overtime loss to Sweden.

"We have very good chemistry on the line … it’s fun to play together. When we’re in the offensive zone I feel we see each other."@IslandersHKY's Jakub Brabenec & the @Kelowna_Rockets' Gabriel Szturc have formed an immediate, and productive, connection at the #WorldJuniors 🇨🇿

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 1, 2023

Switzerland, who won three of its round-robin games, albeit in either overtime or a shootout, features 10 CHL players and are led by Halifax’s Attilio Biasca.

The USA, who lost in the quarterfinals in 2022, will face Germany in Moncton. Tyler Boucher (OTT) had three goals during pool play as they claimed top spot in Group B.

Canada and Slovakia will round out the day in Halifax as the hosts look to make the semi-finals for the fourth straight year. Connor Bedard (REG) has starred thus far with 18 points in just four games while his linemates Joshua Roy (SHE) and Logan Stankoven (KAM) have combined for 14 points.

Thomas Milic (SEA) will start in goal for Canada after he impressed in the win over Sweden on New Year’s Eve. Owen Beck, who was added to the team’s roster Sunday in place of an injured Colton Dach, will make his tournament debut.

Slovakia finished third in Group B but are without CHL rookie sensation Samuel Honzek who has been ruled out of the competition due to injury. With that in mind, the Slovaks will continue to rely on the offence of Filip Mesar (KIT) and Servac Petrovsky (OS) against a Canada side that conceded just eight goals in the round-robin.

The relegation round begins too as Latvia and Austria will compete in a best-of-three series. The winner will secure its spot at the 2024 World Juniors.

Who to watch

It’s getting repetitive, sure, but it can only continue to be Connor Bedard.

With 18 points, Bedard has tied the Canadian record most points in a single tournament. His 31 career points are tied for the most ever by a Canadian in the tournament’s history, as are his 14 goals.

Against Sweden, Bedard had four assists to accompany his seven-point output against Germany and his six-point effort against Austria.

"He’s an outstanding hockey player that’s making the game look super easy."

"It’s unbelievable … I don’t have any words to describe it."

Connor Bedard was sensational again Saturday as he tied the Canadian record for most career points at the #WorldJuniors with 31 🤯

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) January 1, 2023

CHL leaders:

Where to watch: 

The first two quarterfinals can be seen on TSN 1/3/5 while USA versus Germany is available on TSN 1/3.

Canada’s tilt with Slovakia will be shown live on TSN 1/4/5.