The 2026 World Juniors are moving right along and as the third day of action prepares to commence on Dec. 28, this matchup is one to bring all of the excitement.

• Watch Elite Junior And College Hockey All Season On FloHockey
• World Juniors: USA Escaped Switzerland By A Goal After Back And Forth Slog
• World Juniors Notebook: Canada Got By On Talent, Sweden's Nasty Power Play
• Follow FloHockey's Coverage Of The 2026 World Junior Championship

Latvia and Finland will square off for the final game of the day. Both of these teams have seen the ice so far in this World Junior Championship and each is heading in in to this contest with something to prove. 

Finland has some momentum heading in to the rink with Latvia after picking up a dominating 6-2 victory over Denmark on Dec. 26. 

Latvia heads back to the ice after narrowly falling in overtime to Canada on Dec. 27, 2-1. 

Puck drop is set for 4:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM CT and will be available to stream on TSN for viewers in Canada or on FuboTv and the NHL Network for those in the US. 

Refresh this page often as the newest updates will appear in bold. 

Finland Picks Up First Penalty Minutes! 2nd Period - 27:46

Latvia 0, Finland 4 

Finland has been doing all of the right things in this contest against Latvia. However the team has just picked up their first penalty minutes. 

Joona Saarelainen picks up two minutes for cross-checking. 

Finland Finds Fourth Goal! 2nd Period - 21:37

Latvia 0, Finland 4 

The Finland team is on a roll! The team has picked up their fourth goal of the day! 

Emil Hemming finds his second goal of the day! He is assisted by Matias Vanhanen and Aron Kiviharju. 

Emil Hemming converts on the one-timer for his second goal of the game! Finland is DOMINATING the Latvians! 🇫🇮 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Hi23q5E6pN

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2025

Back To Back Penalty Minutes For Latvia! 2nd Period - 20:29 & 20:48 

Latvia 0, Finland 3 

Just after the start of the second period, Latvia picks up four penalty minutes almost back to back. 

Harijs Cjunskis picks up two minutes for holding and Daniels Serkins picks up two minutes for tripping. 

Start of Second Period! 2nd Period - 20:00

Latvia 0, Finland 3

The start of the second period is here. 

Final score update from Sweden and Switzerland. Sweden takes down Switzerland, 4-2.

End of First Period! 1st Period - 20:00

Latvia 0, Finland 3 

The first period has come and gone! Finland has a commanding 3-0 lead but there is still a lot of hockey left to play! 

Finland Is On Fire! 1st Period - 19:16

Latvia 0, Finland 3 

With just a few seconds left until the end of the opening period, Finland finds their third goal of the day.

Max Westergard scores the goal! he is assisted by Niklas Nykyri and Julius Miettinen. 

Max Westergard pads Finland's lead off the rebound! 🙌 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NLh5KDIT3j

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2025

Finland Goes Up Two Goals! 1st Period - 14:19

Latvia 0, Finland 2

Just like that Finland is up by two goals! 

Jasper Kuhta find the back of the net for Finland. He is assisted by Max Westergard. 

FINLAND EXTENDS THEIR LEAD! Jasper Kuhta records his first goal of the tournament after the puck found its way through the legs of Mikus Vecvanags 👀 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/6ihbeRLco7

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2025

Latvia Picks Up Penalty Minutes! 1st Period - 4:36

Latvia 0, Finland 1 

Just shortly after Finland took a 1-0 jump, Latvia ia awarded their first penalty minutes of the contest. 

Oskars Briedis gets two minutes for delay of game. 

Finland On The Board! 1st Period - 4:11

Latvia 0, Finland 1 

In the early minutes of the first period, Finland strikes first! 

Emil Hemming scores for Finland. He is assisted by Matias Vanhenen. 

Emil Hemming puts Finland on the board early vs. Latvia! 🔥 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rkQJrm6vvo

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2025

Puck Drop! 1st Period - 0:00

Latvia 0, Finland 0 

Action is underway for Latvia and Finland. 

Mikus Vecvanags is in goal for Latvia and Petteri Rimpinen is in goal for Finland. 

15 Minutes Til Puck Drop

Just fifteen minutes to go until the final match of the day at the 2026 World Juniors! 

We've got a score update from Sweden and Switzerland. it still is tight as Sweden currently leads 3-2 as the third period looms on the horizon! 

Latvia Lineup

Goalkeepers

• 1, Mikus Vecvanags
• 30, Nils Maurins

Defensemen

• 2, Krisjanis Sarts
• 6, Martins Vitols
• 10, Harijs Cjunskis
• 15, Darels Uljanskis
• 21, Krists Retenais
• 23, Alberts Smits
• 26, Oskars Briedis

Forwards

• 7, Rudolfs Berzkalns
• 8, Martins Klaucans
• 11, Dmitrijs Dilevka
• 14, Olivers Murnieks
• 16, Roberts Polis
• 17, Kristers Ansons
• 18, Roberts Naudins
• 19, Bruno Osmanis
• 20, Kristians Utnans
• 22, Antons Macijevskis
• 24, Daniels Serkins
• 27, Markuss Sieradzkis
• 28, Karlis Flugins

Finland Lineup

Goalkeepers

• 1, Kim Saarinen
• 30, Petteri Rimpinen

Defensemen

• 2, Mitja Jokinen
• 4, Niklas Nykyri
• 6, Juho Piiparinen
• 7, Daniel Nieminen
• 13, Veeti Vaisanen
• 25, Lasse Boelius
• 33, Aron Kiviharju

Forwards

• 10, Roope Vesterinen
• 12, Joona Saarelainen
• 15, Aatos Koivu
• 20, Kasper Pikkarainen
• 21, Max Westergard
• 22, Emil Hemming
• 23, Leo Tuuva
• 27, Julius Miettinen
• 28, Heikki Ruohonen
• 29, Jasper Kuhta
• 35, Atte Joki
• 37, Matias Vanhanen
• 38, Oliver Suvanto

One Hour To Puck Drop!

Just one hour to puck drop in this contest between Latvia and Finland! Lineups are coming soon! Stay excited hockey fans!  

Tight Contest In Sweden Vs. Switzerland

Latvia vs. Finland isn't the only contest happening on Day 3 of the 2026 World Junior Championships. 

Sweden and Switzerland are in a tight contest as it's tied up at 1-1. 

World Juniors Quick Facts

Here are the answers to some frequently asked World Juniors questions:

Who Won World Juniors 2025

The USA won the 2025 World Junior Championship, their second consecutive title. Team USA beat Finland 4-3 in the final after the game entered overtime.

Where Are The World Juniors This Year

This year, the United States is hosting the World Juniors in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn. Group A have been playing games in the Grand Casino Arena and Group B have played games in the 3M Arena at Mariucci.

2027 World Juniors Location

The 2027 World Juniors will be held in Alberta, Canada.

Where To Watch World Juniors

The World Juniors streams live on the NHL Network in the United States.

IIHJ World Juniors 2026 Standings

Group A

1. USA — 6 pts, 2 wins, 0 losses
2. SWE — 3 pts, 1 win, 0 losses
3. SVK — 3 pts, 1 win, 1 loss
4. SUI — 0 pts, 0 wins, 1 loss
5. GER — 0 pts, 0 wins, 2 losses

Group B

1. CAN — 5 pts, 1 win, 0 losses
2. FIN — 3 pts, 1 win, 0 losses
3. CZE — 3 pts, 1 win, 1 loss
4. LAT — 1 pt, 0 wins, 0 losses
5. DEN — 0 pts, 0 wins, 2 losses

World Juniors 2026 Scores So Far

It's been an exciting first day of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. Here are the scores so far:

Friday, Dec. 26

• Sweden 3 - 2 Slovakia
• Finland 6 - 2 Denmark
• USA 6 - 3 Germany
• Canada 7 - 5 Czechia

Saturday, Dec. 27

• Slovakia 4 - 1 Germany
• Canada 2 - 1 Latvia
• Switzerland 1 - 2 USA
• Czechia 7 - 2 Denmark

2026 World Junior Championship Schedule

View the full schedule below for the Group Stage and playoff rounds of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota. FloHockey will provide free live updates for each USA and Canada game including analysis, scoring summaries, and highlights.

Friday, December 26

• 1:00 p.m. ET - Sweden 3 - 2 Slovakia
• 2:30 p.m. ET - Denmark 2 - 6 Finland
• 6:00 p.m. ET - Germany 3 - 6 USA
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Czechia vs Canada *Live Updates*

Saturday, December 27

• 2:00 p.m. ET - Slovakia vs Germany
• 4:30 p.m. ET - Latvia vs Canada *Live Updates*
• 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Switzerland *Live Updates*
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Denmark vs Czechia

Sunday, December 28

• 2:00 p.m. ET - Sweden vs Switzerland
• 4:30 p.m. ET - Finland vs Latvia

Monday, December 29

• 1:00 p.m. ET - Germany vs Sweden
• 3:30 p.m. ET - Finland vs Czechia
• 6:00 p.m. ET - Slovakia vs USA *Live Updates*
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Denmark *Live Updates*

Tuesday, December 30

• 2:00 p.m. ET - Switzerland vs Germany
• 4:30 p.m. ET - Latvia vs Denmark

Wednesday, December 31

• 1:00 p.m. ET - Switzerland vs Slovakia
• 3:30 p.m. ET - Czechia vs Latvia
• 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Sweden *Live Updates*
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs Finland *Live Updates*

Friday, January 2

• 12:30 p.m. ET - Relegation Game
• 2:00 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 1
• 4:30 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 2
• 6:00 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 3
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Quarterfinals Game 4

Sunday, January 4

• 4:30 p.m. ET - Semifinals Game 1
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Semifinals Game 2

Monday, January 5

• 4:30 p.m. ET - Bronze Medal Game
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Gold Medal Game

IIHF World Juniors Hockey: Past Champions

Here's who won the Gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2000.

• 2025: United States
• 2024: United States
• 2023: Canada
• 2022: Canada
• 2021: United States
• 2020: Canada
• 2019: Finland
• 2018: Canada
• 2017: United States 
• 2016: Finland
• 2015: Canada
• 2014: Finland
• 2013: United States 
• 2012: Sweden
• 2011: Russia
• 2010: United States
• 2009: Canada
• 2008: Canada
• 2007: Canada
• 2006: Canada 
• 2005: Canada
• 2004: United States
• 2003: Russia
• 2002: Russia
• 2001: Czech Republic
• 2000: Czech Republic

2026 World Junior Championship Teams

View the list of teams, by group, for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Group A

• USA
• Germany
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Slovakia

Group B

• Canada
• Czechia
• Latvia
• Denmark
• Finland

Follow FloHockey's Coverage Of The 2026 World Junior Championship

FloHockey will be on site for complete coverage of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can expect game-by-game coverage of both Team USA and Team Canada from FloHockey's experts, interviews with key players and coaches and much more. Follow FloHockey's WJC coverage here.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

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