2026 IIHF World Junior Championship – Preliminary Day 5 (Dec. 30, 2025)
The fifth day of preliminary play at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship delivered another impactful slate of games, featuring a crucial win for Latvia in Group B and a statement shutout by Switzerland in Group A. Both results carried major implications for quarter-final positioning and the looming relegation battle, setting the stage for a dramatic New Year’s Eve lineup across both groups. Here’s a recap of all the action from Day 5.
Group B
Denmark vs. Latvia
Final: 6 (LAT) – 3 (DEN)
Both teams entered the game looking for their first win of the tournament, and it was Latvia who came out on top with a 6-3 victory this afternoon, securing a spot in Friday’s quarter-finals. The loss leaves Denmark at the bottom of Group B with an 0-4 record. They will now face Germany in the relegation game on January 2 (12:30 p.m. EST) to determine which team remains in the top division for 2027.
Kristers Ansons led the way for Latvia with a goal and three assists, while William Bundgaard posted a goal and two assists for Denmark, who were outshot 42-12. Although the Danes twice pulled within a single goal, they began to run into penalty trouble, taking 14 minutes in penalties – and Latvia capitalized with three power‑play goals.
Latvia's power-play strikes again!
Bruno Osmanis makes it a 5-2 game.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/n9oetAFcGz
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2025
Latvia will now await the results of tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve matchups to determine their quarter-final opponent.
Group A
Switzerland vs. Germany
Final: 4 (SUI) – 0 (GER)
Switzerland clinched a quarter-final berth with a convincing 4–0 win over Germany on Tuesday. Kimi Koerbler scored twice, while goaltender Christian Kirsch (Kitchener Rangers) turned aside all 20 shots he faced to earn his first career World Junior shutout and the nation’s first at the tournament since 2019.
A few of Christian Kirsch's 20 saves from today's shutout victory 👇@OHLRangers | #TheFutureIsTeal https://t.co/oVWHgV7ONA pic.twitter.com/BALD82623g
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 30, 2025
The Swiss, who finished eighth last year, have now reached the quarter-finals for the tenth straight year. They have medaled only once (bronze in 1998) and have not won an elimination game since upsetting Sweden 2-0 in 2019 on their way to a fourth‑place finish.
Special teams played a key role in Switzerland’s first win of the tournament. They scored their first power‑play goal of these World Juniors and maintained their perfect penalty kill – a feat shared only with Canada.
With the loss, Germany moves on to Friday’s relegation game against Denmark (12:30 p.m. EST), marking the third straight year they’ve found themselves in this matchup, having finished ninth in each of the past two years, defeating Norway 5-4 in overtime in 2024 and Kazakhstan 4-3 in 2025 to stay in the top division.
Switzerland will face Slovakia tomorrow (1:00 p.m. EST) and can improve their quarter-final seeding with a win.
OHL Player Game Stats:
Switzerland
- Christian Kirsch (Kitchener Rangers) – 20 SV, 1 SO
Standings After Day 5:
After five days of action, here’s how the standings shape up! 🔥 #WorldJuniors #IIHF pic.twitter.com/5CorJNP8xJ
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 31, 2025
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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.
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