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2026 IIHF World Junior Championship

Canada Scores 5 Goals In One Period, Knocks Out Slovakia From World Juniors

Canada Scores 5 Goals In One Period, Knocks Out Slovakia From World Juniors

Canada and Slovakia battled it out in the World Juniors quarterfinals on Friday, Jan. 2. Read the game recap and watch scoring highlights.

Jan 3, 2026 by Andy Schamma
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After nearly a week of group stage play, the 2026 World Juniors quarterfinals were set on Dec. 31 and Canada took the main stage in the primetime spot on Friday night, Jan. 2 to take on Team Slovakia in a single-elimination tournament battle.

Canada and Slovakia took over 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, MN for three periods of some of the best junior hockey play in the world.

Canada was fighting back after missing out on a medal each year since winning the Gold back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. Canada won their last game of the preliminary round, defeating Finland 7-4 in a high-scoring shootout that required contributions from names all across their star-studded lineup.

Canada and Slovakia battled it out in the World Juniors quarterfinals on Friday, Jan. 2. Read the game recap and watch scoring highlights.

Final: Canada Scores 5 Goals In One Period, Knocks Out Slovakia From World Juniors

Canada defeat Slovakia and ends their 2026 World Juniors run after a 5-goal period to open the game and set things firmly outside of their reach.

Canada moves on to play Czechia in the latter of two World Junior semifinal games on Sunday, Jan. 4. Sweden and Finland will face off in the earlier game.

Canada had goals from seven different players with an onslaught of 42 shots on goal.

Canada Works To Get Out Unscathed - 5:28 3rd

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

The name of the game has been killing time but take chances to set up in the offensive zone if you can—and they can. Lendak has continued to be quite strong as Canada passes the 40-shot mark.

Shots on goal:

  • CAN: 40
  • SVK: 19

Parekh was called for a high-sticking double minor after he caught Pitka in the face.

Slovaks On Power Play For Martone Slashing, Killed - 11:18 3rd

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

The game has reached a bit of a lull and Martone was called for slashing as Slovakia tried to get the puck out of their own zone.

Svrcek tried hammering one past Ivankovic but he bumpered it away with ease. Canada killed it off with no additional shots on goal.

Slovakia Called For Too Many Men, Killed Off - 15:52 3rd

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

Slovakia got tied up in their line change after leaving the power play and were caught out to send Canada on the power play.

Canada just got two shots on goal during the advantage before Slovakia was able to kill it off.

Final Frame Is Rolling - 19:00 3rd

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

Lukas Tomka was removed from the game after the extracurriculars between the periods.

2nd Period Over: Slovakia Pushes Back Despite Huge Deficit

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

Slovakia will start the third period with a minute on the power play after an eventful second period of this World Junior quarterfinal. Carson Carels sent the puck out of play for a delay of game. 

As the period went on, it did seem like Slovakia were able to grab hold of at least some form of momentum, scoring their first goal and forcing Canada to the box for the first time.

After the whistle, Lukas Tomka was given a game misconduct penalty.

Shots on goal are still considerably lopsided:

  • CAN: 36
  • SVK: 13

Pitka Skates Backwards, Falls Into Ivankovic - 1:04 2nd

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

In a weird situation, Pitka was skating backwards towards the crease before the whistle was blown. He continued moving into Ivankovic and fell backwards over him despite no Canadian players touching him... at least until he got up. 

Zayne Parekh and Lukas Tomka caught unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

They had some words and fists for him afterward.

Slovakia's Chovan Scores After Big Collision - 3:04 2nd

Canada 7, Slovakia 1

Brunicke was slow to get up after taking a hit into the boards. Chovan released a wrister to the top right above Ivankovic's glove to put Slovakia on the board. Kalman and Tomik on the assist.

Slovakia's offense has picked up progressively over the second period. Shots on goal are now somewhat closer to even:

  • CAN: 35
  • SVK: 14

Canada On PP, Slovakia Kills - 4:45 2nd

Canada 7, Slovakia 0

Misa drew the roughing call on Lukas Tomka to send Canada back on the power play. Slovakia killed it off with just one shot on Lendak during the two minutes.

Beaudoin Scores The Touchdown - 9:19 2nd

Canada 7, Slovakia 0

Lendak made a great save on Parekh but Beaudoin had all the space he needed to find the rebound and put it past the goaltender as he watched in disbelief.

Porter Martone On The Board For Sixth - 10:29 2nd

Canada 6, Slovakia 0

Verhoeff chipped it ahead for Martone who was ready to take it all the way and score Canada's sixth goal of the game over Lendak's blocker.

Lendak Comes Up Big To Keep Canada Out of Net - 14:52 2nd

Canada 5, Slovakia 0

Relentless attempts by Canada's offense have kept Slovakian goaltender Lendak on his toes—and he's been up to the task. Despite Slovakia not adding a shot on goal in nearly 10 straight minutes of play, they've kept the puck out of the net.

Tij Iginla had another close chance that could've been his second goal of the game.

Shots on goal:

  • CAN: 27
  • SVK: 7

Slovakia Kills Off Power Play - 17:38 2nd

Canada 5, Slovakia 0

Just two shots on the power play for Canada including a direct hit into the pipe and Slovakia shows some strength to start the second period.

2nd Period Begins: Canada Back On Power Play Right Away - 19:47 2nd

Canada 5, Slovakia 0

Just 17 seconds into the second frame, Parekh draws a hooking call on Jan Chovan to put Canada a man up again.

End of First Period: Brady Martin Makes It 5 Before The Buzzer

Canada 5, Slovakia 0

It was tic-tac-toe perfection as the Canadian power play found the perfect play to get it past Slovakia's goaltender. Michael Hage and Gavin McKenna made clean, quick passes to find Martin at the front of the net and then the back of the net.

Gavin McKenna and Brady Martin lead time on ice with over 8 minutes each.

Canada On Their First Power Play - 1:35 1st

Canada 4, Slovakia 0

Pobezal went to the box after catching Aitheson with a high stick. On the delayed penalty, Iginla had another shot from point blank but Michael Misa accidentally stopped the puck from going in despite having Lendak beat.

Sam O'Reilly Continues The Onslaught - 2:57 1st

Canada 4, Slovakia 0

Canada went right back to work. Sam O'Reilly and Beaudoin were providing the net front while Carson Carels chucked the puck into Lendak. O'Reilly picked up the rebound for their 4th goal.

Misa Gets His Own - 3:49 1st

Canada 3, Slovakia 0

Michael Misa was skating all over the zone to find the space and time to get a shot off. After a quick pass back and forth to the point, he skated into the top of the slot to sling it past Pradel and make it 3-0.

Pradel was pulled and Alan Lendak put in for Slovakia.

Tij Iginla Makes Puck Appear In Net - 5:18 1st

Canada 2, Slovakia 0

It was nearly impossible to follow Iginla's rapid-fire shot go into the net high glove side after he walked it in and around Slovakia's defenders.

Canada leads 2-0.

Shots on goal:

  • CAN: 10
  • SVK: 5

Cole Reschny Opens Scoring From The Doorstep - 6:02 1st

Canada 1, Slovakia 0

Reschny stepped into Desnoyers spot on the left wing to play with Beaudoin and O'Reilly. Keaton Verhoeff's shot bounced off of Pradel's pad where Reschny was waiting to swipe it into the net.

Beaudoin also on the assist.

Tussle Sends Two To Box After Ivankovic Save - 9:38 1st

Canada 0, Slovakia 0

Caleb Desnoyers checked Andreas Straka into the boards after he collided with Ivankovic following a routine save, just his second of the game. Both were sent to the box as the officials attempt to keep things managed early in tonight's game.

Canada Has Best Looks Early, Despite Slow Start - 14:55 1st

Canada 0, Slovakia 0

It took nearly five minutes of play for Canada's Brady Martin and Gavin McKenna to get their offense settled down low into Slovakia's zone. Martin's work behind the net will eventually find something if Slovakia can't shut him down better.

Canada has all four shots on goal so far.

Jack Ivankovic Gets The Start - 20:00 1st

Canada 0, Slovakia 0

And we're off! It's winner-takes-all tonight and Jack Ivankovic is getting the starting spot in the net for Canada. They've dressed 12 forwards and 8 defensemen, with Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff filling out the final D-pairing.

Michal Pradel (DET) is in the net for Slovakia.

Finland Eliminates Team USA From World Juniors

Team USA's dreams of making history with a threepeat of the World Juniors gold ended with an overtime goal by Finland's Arttu Valila.

Team Canada Projected Lines vs Slovakia Tonight

Here's the official line-up.

Forwards

Tij Iginla (UTA) – Michael Misa (SJS) – Porter Martone (PHI)

Gavin McKenna (2026) – Michael Hage (MTL) – Brady Martin (NSH)

Caleb Desnoyers (UTA) – Cole Beaudoin (UTA) – Sam O’Reilly (TBL)

Jett Luchanko (PHI) - Cole Reschny (CGY) - Braeden Cootes (VAN)

Defense

Cameron Reid (NSH) – Zayne Parekh (CGY)

Ethan MacKenzie – Harrison Brunicke (PIT)

Kashawn Aitcheson (NYI) – Ben Danford (TOR)

Carson Carels (2026) — Keaton Verhoeff (2026)

Goalies

Jack Ivankovic (NSH)

Carter George (LAK)

Puck Drop Is Next

Stay tuned for live updates and highlights of Canada vs Slovakia as things get underway in Minneapolis at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The last time these two teams faced off was in the quarterfinals of 2023 in which Connor Bedard scored the overtime winner to move Canada on to the semifinals and eventually win the Gold. Will Slovakia force Canada into overtime once again?

Canada vs Slovakia: World Juniors By The Numbers

Here are some quick team stats on Canada and Slovakia so far in the World Juniors, heading into tonight's match-up.

  • Shots on Goal
    • CAN: 146
    • SVK: 116
  • Power Play
    • CAN: 53.8%
    • SVK: 29.4%
  • Penalty Killing
    • CAN: 88.9%
    • SVK: 60.0%
  • Goalkeeping
    • CAN: 87.91%
    • SVK: 89.68%
  • Goals For
    • CAN: 25
    • SVK: 13
  • Goals Against
    • CAN: 11
    • SVK: 13

How to Watch Canada vs Slovakia Hockey World Juniors In Canada, US

All games during 2026 World Juniors tournament will be broadcast live on the NHL Network for viewers in the US. 

The network will air live game telecasts of the World Junior Championships plus analysis, highlights, and interviews about the tournament.

If you live in Canada, you can watch each game on TSN.

You can also follow along on FloHockey for the latest news throughout the tournament.

When Is The Canada vs Slovakia World Juniors Game?

The puck drops in 3M Arena at Mariucci, the home of the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis, MN, at 8:30 p.m. ET. You can follow live updates right here throughout the evening.

Watch The OHL Free On FloHockey Tonight

Czechia, Sweden Onto Next Round

Czechia defeated Switzerland (6-2) and Sweden toppled Latvia (6-3) in their quarterfinal games on Friday, Jan. 2 to move onto the World Juniors semifinals on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Cole Hutson's Record-Breaking Return vs. Finland

USA's first goal against Finland came from a beauty by Cole Hutson. His goal places him as Team USA's all-time leading scorer among defensemen in the World Juniors.

2026 NHL Draft Prospects To Watch At World Juniors

Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and more: Chris Peters shared his top draft prospects to watch at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Read the full write-up here.

A few players he listed from tonight's game:

  • Gavin McKenna, LW, Canada
  • Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, Canada
  • Tomas Chrenko, C, Slovakia
  • Adam Nemec, C/W, Slovakia

Here's what Chris had to say about Tomas Chrenko:

"Chrenko has been getting some first-round love from various outlets this year as he puts up impressive numbers in Slovakia’s top pro league. He has 17 points in 27 games, which is a pace that has been beaten only by Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik in their draft years among forwards in that league. Slovakia doesn’t have great chances in the tournament, but Chrenko helps them level the playing field some."

Watch The Cactus Cup, College Hockey Tournament Live On FloHockey

The 2026 World Junior Championship Bracket And Standings So Far

Here is the quarterfinal schedule for Jan. 2.

  • Sweden 6 - 3 Latvia
  • Czechia 6 - 2 Switzerland
  • 6:00 p.m. ET USA vs. Finland
  • 8:30 p.m. ET Canada vs. Slovakia

World Juniors 2026 Standings

Here are the group stage standings.

(Points) W-OTW-OTL-L

Group A

  1. Sweden (12) 4-0-0-0
  2. USA (9) 3-0-0-1
  3. Switzerland (6) 2-0-0-2
  4. Slovakia (3) 1-0-0-1
  5. Germany (0) 0-0-0-4

Group B

  1. Canada (11) 3-1-0-0
  2. Czechia (8) 2-1-0-1
  3. Finland (7) 2-0-1-1
  4. Latvia (4) 1-0-1-2
  5. Denmark (0) 0-0-0-4

2026 World Juniors Scores So Far

It's been an exciting first weekend of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. 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 (OT)
  • USA 2 -1 Switzerland
  • Czechia 7 - 2 Denmark

Sunday, Dec. 28

  • Sweden 4 - 2 Switzerland
  • Finland 8 - 0 Latvia

Monday, Dec. 29

  • Sweden 8 - 1 Germany
  • Czechia 2 - 1 Finland (OT)
  • USA 6 - 5 Slovakia
  • Canada 9 - 1 Denmark

Tuesday, Dec. 30

  • Switzerland 4 - 0 Germany
  • Latvia 6 - 3 Denmark

Wednesday, Dec. 31

  • Switzerland 3 - 2 Slovakia
  • Czechia 4 - 2 Latvia
  • Sweden 6 - 3 USA
  • Canada 7 - 4 Finland

Friday, Jan. 2

  • Sweden 6 - 3 Latvia

Canada World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Carter Bear, LW/C, Everett Silvertips (DET)
  • Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts (UTA)
  • Braeden Cootes, C/RW, Seattle Thunderbirds (VAN)
  • Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats (UTA)
  • Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (LAK)
  • Michael Hage, C, Michigan (MTL)
  • Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets (UTA)
  • Jett Luchanko, C, Brantford Bulldogs (PHI)
  • Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds (NSH)
  • Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State (PHI)
  • Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (2026)
  • Michael Misa, C/LW, San Jose Barracuda (SJS)
  • Sam O'Reilly, C/RW, London Knights (TBL)
  • Cole Reschny, C/LW, North Dakota (CGY)

Defense

  • Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie Colts (NYI)
  • Harrison Brunicke, D, Pittsburgh Penguins (PIT)
  • Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars (2026)
  • Ben Danford, D, Brantford Bulldogs (TOR)
  • Ethan MacKenzie, D, Edmonton Oil Kings
  • Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames (CGY)
  • Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener Rangers (NSH)
  • Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (2026)

Goalies

  • Carter George, G, Owen Sound Attack (LAK)
  • Jack Ivankovic, G, Michigan (NSH)
  • Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars (SJS)

Slovakia World Juniors Roster 2026

Forwards

  • Jan Chovan, C/RW, Sudbury Wolves (LAK)
  • Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra
  • Jakub Dubravik, LW/RW, Des Moines Buccaneers
  • Alex Gaso, F, Mountfield HK
  • Michal Liscinsky, F, HC Kosice
  • Alex Misiak, F, Erie Otters
  • Samuel Murin, F, Tri-City Storm
  • Adam Nemec, F, HK Nitra
  • Tobias Pitka, C, Northern Michigan
  • Tomas Pobezal, C, Kingston Frontenacs
  • Andreas Straka, LW/C, Quebec Remparts
  • Michal Svrcek, LW/RW, Vasteras IK (DET)
  • Tobias Tomik, C/RW, Vancouver Giants
  • Lukas Tomka, F, HK Detva

Defense

  • Alam Belusko, LHD, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  • Michal Capos, RHD, Wenatchee Wild
  • Andrej Fabus, LHD, HC Slovan Bratislava
  • Adam Goljer, RHD, HK Dukla Trencin (2026)
  • Adam Kalman, LHD, HC Nove Zamsky
  • Filip Kovalcik, LHD, Drummondville Voltigeurs (2026)
  • Matus Lisy, LHD, Red Deer Rebels
  • Luka Radivojevic, RHD, Boston College

Goalies

  • Roberto Leonardo Henriquez, G, Green Bay Gamblers
  • Alan Lendak, G, Des Moines Buccaneers
  • Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City Storm (DET)

2026 World Juniors Quarterfinal Schedule

Friday, January 2

  • 12:30 p.m. ET - Germany vs. Denmark
  • 2:00 p.m. ET Sweden vs. Latvia
  • 4:30 p.m. ET Czechia vs. Switzerland
  • 6:00 p.m. ET USA vs. Finland
  • 8:30 p.m. ET Canada vs. Slovakia

2026 World Juniors Medal Round Schedule, Semifinals and Final

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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