Hofer, Canada stifle Slovakia to advance to semifinals at 2020 World Junior Championship
Canada will live to play another day at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship following a 6-1 victory against Slovakia in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Boosting Canada’s efforts Thursday was a four-goal second period and a 17-save performance by Portland Winterhawks goaltender Joel Hofer.
Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens factored into a pair of goals, including the opening goal of the game in the first period. Defenceman Calen Addison of the Hurricanes also added a pair of assists in the contest. A teammate of Cozens and Addison on the Hurricanes, Oliver Okuliar scored the lone goal for Slovakia in the third period.
A pair of goals from captain Barrett Hayton featured for Canada while Alexis Lafreniere, Liam Foudy, Connor McMichael, and Jacob Bernard-Docker also scored.
GAME OVER! 🇨🇦 secures its semifinal spot with a win over 🇸🇰.
📊 https://t.co/rVZ2m1DWVt#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/zCY967Br5b
— #WorldJuniors (@WorldJuniors) January 2, 2020
As @HockeyCanada heads to the semifinals at this year's #WorldJuniors, we want to remind fans that there are just 3 days remaining to sign up for ticket access for next year’s World Juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer!
Sign up here ➡️ https://t.co/WGxRSY6DYn pic.twitter.com/hwGuz2Teij
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) January 2, 2020
Quarter-final action at the 2020 World Juniors
Eight teams entered Thursday’s action with a shot at the gold medal, but now only four remain.
In the first quarter-final of the day, Russia topped Switzerland 3-1. Calgary Hitmen defenceman Egor Zamula assisted on Russia’s third goal of the game.
Finland topped the United States 1-0 in a defensive battle that didn’t feature a goal until the third period.
Sweden topped the Czech Republic 5-0 in the last quarter-final of the day.
Semifinal action
Canada will take on Finland in the semifinals on Saturday, January 4 (11:00 a.m. MT). The last meeting at the World Juniors between the two nations resulted in a 2-1 overtime win for Finland at the 2019 World Juniors.
In the other semifinal, Russia with face Sweden.
