2026 World Juniors daily: Dec. 30
A busy fourth day at the 2026 World Juniors in Minnesota and St. Paul, MN., ended with Canada, Sweden and the USA remaining perfect with one game to play in the round-robin.
Dec. 29 results:
Sweden 8-1 Germany
Czechia 2-1 Finland (OT)
USA 6-5 Slovakia
Canada 9-1 Denmark
About yesterday:
Sweden moved to 3-0-0 after a comfortable 8-1 win over Germany. The Saskatoon Blades’ Elias Pul had Germany’s lone goal that was set-up by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens’ Maxim Schafer on a 2-on-0 breakaway. Between the pipes, the Spokane Chiefs’ Linus Veillard made 16 saves. As for Sweden, the win sets up a thrilling New Year’s Eve clash with the USA where top spot in Group A will be on the line.
In possibly the game of the tournament thus far, Czechia beat Finland 2-1 in overtime thanks to the Brantford Bulldogs’ Adam Jiricek (STL). The decisive goal is arguably one of the most memorable overtime game-winners as Jiricek went between his legs to give his side the extra point. The game had reached overtime after the Barrie Colts’ Emil Hemming (DAL) equalized with just 19.3 seconds left in regulation. In goal, the Prince Albert Raiders’ Michal Orsulak made 23 saves for Czechia.
ADAM JIRICEK BETWEEN THE LEGS OT WINNER‼️
The @BulldogsOHL d-man and #stlblues prospect with one of the best overtime winners in #WorldJuniors history! 🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/eL4dx9QXdx
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 29, 2025
In an 11-goal thriller, the USA edged past Slovakia 6-5 to remain perfect. The Windsor Spitfires’ AJ Spellacy (CHI) had a goal and an assist while the Soo Greyhounds’ Chase Reid (2026) had two assists. As for Slovakia, the Quebec Remparts’ Andreas Straka had a pair of helpers while the Vancouver Giants’ Tobias Tomik also tallied an assist. The victory for the USA sets up the aforementioned winner take all tilt with Sweden while Slovakia are pretty much locked in as the no. 3 seed in Group A.
Finally back in Group B, Canada cruised to a 9-1 win versus Denmark to move to 3-0-0. Reigning CHL Player of the Year and former Medicine Hat Tiger Gavin McKenna (2026) had a hat-trick while ex brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone (PHI) tallied three points (2G1/A). The Saginaw Spirit’s Michael Misa (SJ) added a goal and two helpers while teammate Zayne Parekh (CGY) had two points (1G/1A), as did the Barrie Colts’ Kashawn Aitcheson (NYI). The Seattle Thunderbirds’ Braeden Cootes also scored in the victory. The win now means that Canada and Finland will go head-to-head on New Year’s Eve with first place in Group B up for grabs.
Gavin McKenna hat-trick 😤
The reigning CHL Player of the Year skillfully buries his third of the night! 🇨🇦#WorldJuniors | @tigershockey pic.twitter.com/f358SNhXWl
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 30, 2025
CHL Player of the Day
The San Jose Sharks’ and Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa broke out in a big way Monday with a three-point (1G/2A) outing. His third period goal made it 6-1 Canada but also marked his first of the tournament. The CHL’s Top Scorer last season with 134 points, Misa has played seven games with San Jose in 2025-26 where he has a goal and two assists.
Michael Misa is on the board! 🚨
The leading scorer in @SpiritHockey and @SanJoseSharks forward buries his first #WorldJuniors goal! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/JYR5dyAZLU
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 30, 2025
Dec. 30 schedule:
Switzerland vs. Germany – 2pm ET / 10am PT
Latvia vs. Denmark – 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT
The day ahead
The quarterfinal field is going to look a lot clearer by the end of the day as four winless teams take the ice in the game they all would have had circled on the schedule.
In Group A, Germany have to win if they want to reach the quarterfinals. Having gone winless in three games thus far, this is their final chance to reach the final eight for the first time since 2023. On the other hand, a win for Switzerland would guarantee their spot in the quarterfinals but a loss wouldn’t fully eliminate them as they play Slovakia on New Year’s Eve.
One advantage Latvia has on Denmark is the fact they collected a point in their overtime loss to Canada. Nevertheless, the equation doesn’t change much in the fact that a win for either side would all but seal a spot in the quarters. For Denmark it’s their final attempt as this is their fourth round-robin game but in defeat Latvia would still have life as they battle Czechia on Dec. 31.
Where to watch:
Germany and Switzerland can be seen live on TSN 1 while Latvia’s contest with Denmark is available on TSN 1/3.
