ST. PAUL – Canada is right where they want to be at this stage of the tournament. Being in the semifinals is one thing, but going into the semis with momentum and playing their best hockey is even better.

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A 7-1 drubbing of Slovakia in the quarterfinals, which followed an impressive win over Finland in the final preliminary-round game has shown that this Canadian team has seemingly hit its stride. They’re getting more consistency out of each of their lines and have gotten their goaltending situation settled. That puts this Canadian squad right back in the driver’s seat to win the tournament. To do it, however, they have to beat the country that has had their number at this stage of the tournament over the last two years.

This will be the fifth straight tournament that Canada has met Czechia in the playoff round. We, of course, know how the last two went as Canada’s shocking back-to-back quarterfinal exits came at the hands of the Czechs. Canada won the other three meetings including in overtime in the gold-medal game in Halifax in 2023.

This year’s Canadian team is certainly better than the last two, but Czechia is better, too. The two sides met in the opening game of the tournament, which Canada was able to outlast the Czechs in a wild showdown that saw 12 goals scored between the two teams. That felt like a game where Canada won on its skill. 

Beating the same team twice in a tournament can be challenging, especially when the stakes are higher. Both teams will be playing with some heightened intensity and awareness. Some teams rise in those situations, others do not. We won’t know until the puck drops.

Here’s a look at some of the things to watch for in this semifinal matchup.

Canada Peaking At The Right Time

I still don’t know if we’ve seen this Canadian roster play its best game yet, but they seem to be getting closer to the top of their game each time. The defense certainly had one of its best overall showings against Slovakia, all four lines are contributing to the scoring and the special teams have already been among the tournaments’ best.

The old cliché about the World Juniors is that you want to build throughout the tournament and you can say with confidence Canada has done that. They haven’t been perfect, but they keep getting better.

The power play is tops in the tournament, which has sometimes been a predictor of gold in this event. Canada is clicking at 47% with eight PPGs. It’s remarkable how good they’ve been there. Meanwhile, the PK has killed all but one penalty for a near-92% success rate.

Now the five-on-five play is picking up even more.

Another notable stat for Canada. Not one player on the team is averaging more than 20 minutes per game. They are able to roll their lines, especially their first three, with regularity. Additionally, every defenseman on the roster is averaging double-digit minutes in ice time throughout the tournament. Not over-relying on a few players bodes well as the tournament gets to this stage.

Seven Of The Top 20 Point Producers Are Canadian

Canada’s getting scoring from more spots in its lineup more consistently. This has not been a tournament where anyone is running away with the scoring title, but there’s a lot of players contributing.

Zayne Parekh (CGY) leads all players with 10 points through five games. Last year was the first year a defenseman led the tournament in scoring with Cole Hutson taking it. Parekh has a real chance to do it again. He leads all Canadian players in ice time and has been a weapon on the power play. His puck-movement has been particularly strong here.

Gavin McKenna (2026) and Michael Hage (MTL) have been doing some great things all tournament when it comes to producing. Hage is the clear driver of the line and one of Canada’s best overall playmakers, but McKenna has been able to help that line go. Brady Martin (NSH) has been the beneficiary at the net-front, but he’s shown some play-driving ability too. McKenna and Hage have nine points and Martin has eight. Meanwhile, Porter Martone (PHI) has been the top player on Canada’s No. 1 line and Cole Beaudoin (UTA) has been remarkable driving the third line. He just keeps scoring goals, too.

Is Canada’s Goaltending Settled?

It sure appears to be. Jack Ivankovic (NSH) appears to have taken the reins from Carter George (LAK) who had been the No. 1 guy and the one Canada intended to keep in net. After allowing just two goals all tournament, it’s hard to see any reason to keep Ivankovic on the sidelines. He has stopped 47 of 49 shots against, won both of his starts and just has been better.

George’s struggles in this tournament have been a surprise. He has an .844 save percentage, allowing 10 goals including five against Czechia in the tournament opener. 

The crazy thing is, most teams would kill to have three goalies like Canada. Joshua Ravensbergen, who has been the No. 3 goalie, dressing in just one game, can’t get into the lineup and probably would be the starter for just about every other team in this tournament with the exception of Finland.

Ivankovic provides stability and will be looking to add to his trophy case. He has won at the Hlinka-Gretzky, won at the U18 Worlds and now has a chance to win at the World Juniors.

Measured Animosity

You could tell when Canada played Czechia that even the players who were not on the team last year wanted to exact some revenge. The game was physical, it was testy and even from the start of warmups straight through to the end of the game, there was some real hate brewing in the game. Heck, the teams didn’t even shake hands after the game – which drew a formal apology from Hockey Canada.

Perhaps these two teams playing allowed them to get out all of the aggression and they can focus on hockey. But the margin for error in single elimination is miniscule. Every penalty is amplified, every mistake more glaring. This is one time where the aggression has to be well-placed and toeing the line will be important.

This Canada team has played with a chip on their shoulder and it has worked for them. With how they’ve played of late, however, they can let their play do the talking.

The Czechs Are A Legit Threat

The thing that makes this game so exciting is that this Czech team has been excellent in the tournament. They pushed Canada hard in the first game, beat Finland in the preliminary round and have handled everyone else in a business-like, methodical fashion.

I think Czechia’s top four on the blue line have been the best group so far. Adam Jiricek (STL) should be the front-runner to win the directorate award for best defenseman even though Parekh is leading in points. Jiricek is a major difference maker at both ends, just as his older brother David was in Halifax three years agon. He’s played major minutes and been a force.

You can say the same for Jakub Fibigr (SEA), Radim Mrtka (BUF) and Tomas Galvas. That group is going to play a ton and Czechia did not have Mrtka in that first game. He’s going to help a lot.

The Czechs also have size, depth and skill up front. They’re not going to be pushed around. Vojtech Cihar (LAK), Vaclav Nestrasil (CHI) and Petr Sikora (WSH) have been hard for teams to contain game to game.

If there is one area where Czechia lacks, it’s in net. Neither of their netminders have inspired a ton of confidence, with both sporting save percentages under .880. Canada has so many precision players that they can pick apart the goalies as they did in the first game. Czechs need their metminder, likely Michal Orsulak to play his best game of the tournament and maybe his life.

Canada will meet Czechia at 7:30 p.m. CT at Grand Casino Arena. The game will air live in the U.S. on NHL Network and on TSN in Canada.

2026 World Juniors Medal Round Schedule, Semifinals and Final

Sunday, January 4

• 4:30 p.m. ET - Sweden vs. Finland
• 8:30 p.m. ET - Canada vs. Czechia

Monday, January 5

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

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