2026 World Juniors daily: Dec. 27
The first day of the 2026 World Juniors is in the books!
Canada opened its campaign with a wild win over Czechia and are back in action on Day 2 from Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.
Dec. 26 results
Sweden 3-2 Slovakia
Finland 6-2 Denmark
USA 6-3 Germany
Canada 7-5 Czechia
About yesterday
In the tournament opener in Group A, Sweden needed a game-winner with just 3:57 to play to take down Slovakia. The Swedes had built a 2-0 lead before goals from the Kingston Frontenacs’ Tomas Pobezal and the Vancouver Giants’ Tobias Tomik drew the Slovaks level before Ivar Stenberg scored the decisive goal. The Erie Otters’ Alex Misiak also added an assist in defeat for Slovakia.
The second game of the day came from Group B where Finland took down Denmark 6-2. The Oshawa Generals’ Onni Kalto scored while the Ottawa 67’s Jasper Kuhta registered three assists for Finland who claimed silver at last year’s tournament in Ottawa. For Denmark, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens’ Anton Linde scored in the country’s first World Juniors game in seven years.
"He's in the discussion … as arguably maybe the best defenceman for the 2026 #NHLDraft" – @CraigJButton
The @OHLHoundPower's Chase Reid has his first of the 2026 #WorldJuniors! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/SweF8kkmLg
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 26, 2025
Back in Group A, the hosts and defending champions USA doubled up Germany 6-3. The Soo Greyhounds’ Chase Reid (2026) scored while the Windsor Spitfires’ AJ Spellacy (CHI) added two assists. For Germany, the Saskatoon Blades’ Dustin Willhoft had a pair of helpers while the Halifax Mooseheads’ Carlos Handel (MTL) chipped in with an assist too.
Brady Martin with 🇨🇦's first of the 2026 #WorldJuniors!
The @OHLHoundPower captain and #Preds prospect opens the scoring on Boxing Day against 🇨🇿! pic.twitter.com/MK4OrSLmxE
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 27, 2025
In the final contest on Boxing Day, Canada took down Czechia 7-5 in a wild back-and-forth affair. The Saginaw Spirit’s Zayne Parekh (CGY) scored twice for Canada while the Edmonton Oil Kings’ Ethan MacKenzie had three points (1G/2A). Soo Greyhounds captain Brady Martin (NSH) had a goal and an assist while the Kelowna Rockets’ Tij Iginla (UTA) and former Brampton Steelheads captain Porter Martone (PHI) also scored. The Owen Sound Attack’s Carter George made 27 saves.
As for Czechia, Kelowna Rockets Tomas Poletin (NYI) scored twice while teammate Vojtech Cihar (LA) had a goal and an assist. The Brantford Bulldogs’ Adam Benak (MIN) had two assists.
CHL Player of the Day
With a pair of goals in Canada’s win, the Saginaw Spirit’s Zayne Parekh (CGY) took home Friday’s honours. His first goal got Canada level at 3-3 in the second period and then 3:49 into the third he gave his side a 4-3 lead. The 2024 CHL Defenceman of the Year has spent the 2025-26 season in the NHL with Calgary where he’s played 11 games.
That's your 2024 CHL Defenceman of the Year! 🤩@SpiritHockey & @NHLFlames d-man Zayne Parekh snipes 🇨🇦 level! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/3naywIL9jb
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) December 27, 2025
Dec. 27 schedule:
Slovakia vs. Germany – 2pm ET / 11am PT
Latvia vs. Canada – 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT
USA vs. Switzerland – 6pm ET / 3pm PT
Denmark vs. Czechia – 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT
The day ahead
The first game of Day 2 sees a pair of sides that fell on Boxing Day meet in Group A. Slovakia lost to Sweden while Germany fell to USA – arguably the top two sides in the group – so a win today will get either the Slovaks or Germans on course for a potential third place finish in the round-robin.
Canada returns to action immediately too where they will have another chance at redemption over Latvia who stunned the 2025 hosts with a shootout win 365 days ago in Ottawa. With a short turnaround, former Brampton Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic (NSH) is expected to start in goal for the 20-time gold medallists.
The USA will look to make it two wins from two when they face Switzerland. The Americans are looking to become the first three-peat World Juniors champions since Canada won five straight from 2005-09. As for Switzerland, who have one World Juniors medal after a third place finish in 1998, they will look to reach the quarterfinals for the fifth straight year.
Finally, Czechia will look to get into the win column after Friday’s defeat to Canada when they face Denmark. As for the Danes, realistic expectations will have them focused on their match-up with Latvia as a path to a potential quarterfinal berth.
Where to watch:
Germany and Slovakia can be seen live on TSN 3 while Canada’s contest with Latvia is available on TSN 1/4. TSN 3 will show Switzerland and USA while Denmark’s matchup with Czechia is live on TSN 1/3.
The 2026 #WorldJuniors standings after Day 1! 👀 #IIHF pic.twitter.com/PVBI1vx8EC
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 27, 2025
Tournament notes:
78 past and present CHL players to compete at 2026 World Juniors
Canada roster
Non-Canada players
