Christensen wins World Ball Hockey Championship gold
Justice Christensen is bringing a gold medal back to Canada. The Raiders defenceman helped Canada win the 2025 U20 Men’s World Ball Hockey Championship in Poprad, Slovakia. Canada went undefeated through the entire tournament, capping it off with an 8-7 overtime win in the final against Czechia.
Canada started the tournament with a nailbiting 3-2 win over the Czechs. Christensen had a pair of assists in that game, as the Canadians started off on the right foot. In Canada’s second game, Christensen picked up another assist in a 4-1 win over the host Slovaks.
The Canadians improved to 3-0 in the group stage with a dominant 9-1 win over Switzerland. Christensen extended his point streak to three games with another assist. Canada played their fourth and final game of the group stage on the same day, where they were matched up with the United States. It was another solid game for Christensen, who served as Canada’s captain for the tournament. He notched an assist on the game winning goal, as Canada took down the US by a 4-2 final.
Going a perfect 4-0 in the group stage, Canada was granted a bye straight to the final, where they would take on the winner of the semi final between Czechia and the US. Czechia won the semi 4-2, setting up a rematch of Canada’s first game of the tournament, and this time around was even more entertaining.
After the first period, Canada jumped ahead to a commanding 4-1 lead. Christensen scored a goal and added an assist in the opening frame.
Only fitting that the gold medal game had a🧃💣 pic.twitter.com/s7iBeQTMrw
— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) July 7, 2025
Canada kept their lead after two periods, as they were up 7-3 heading into the third. The Czechs refused to go away, however, as they stormed back with four straight goals in the third period to send things to overtime even at 7-7.
The game winning goal
The extra frame ended nearly as quickly as it started, as Canada won just seven seconds in. After a won faceoff at center, Christensen got the ball and swung it across to his d-partner, Mateo Rotondi. Rotondi sent a hard pass up the floor to Andy Knight, who had a breakaway to win it. Knight buried the golden goal to complete his hat trick, as Canada defended their World Championship.
Justice Christensen assisted on the overtime winner in the gold medal game! pic.twitter.com/Z8fN6rv88j
— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) July 7, 2025
