Canada erupted for four goals in the third period to secure a thrilling 7-5 victory over Czechia in their opening game of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. This win avenges Czechia’s quarterfinal upset of Canada from the previous tournament (4-2) and ends Czechia’s brief two-game winning streak against Canada at the U20 level. Notably, Red Deer Rebels forward Samuel Drancak (a 2026 NHL Draft prospect) was listed on Czechia’s preliminary roster but did not appear in the game. It’s unclear whether he was a healthy scratch, cut, or dealing with another issue, as no clear updates were available from official sources or pre-game announcements.
Canada makes it a 1-0 game when Nashville Predators 2025 5th overall pick Brady Martin snips one from Gavin McKenna and Mississauga, Ontario native Michael Hage at 13:53 of the first period.– Canada opened the scoring at 13:53 thanks to a crazy, spinning back pass from Gavin McKenna to Brady Martin in the slot. Martin’s shot beat Michal Orsulak.
Kelowna Rocket Tomas Poletin ties the game up for the Czechs at 17:01 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Adam Benak and Portland Winterhawk Max Psencika.– Three minutes later, however, the Czechs tied it on a nice tip in front by Poletin, who redirected Adam Benak’s long shot.
Michael Hage makes it a 2-1 game at 17:38 of the first period with a long distance rocket going bar down (everyone on the ice was involved) Brady Martin and Ben Danford picked up the assists.– Just 37 seconds later again, Canada re-took the lead. This time a long shot by Hage went all the way through heavy traffic in front, giving Canada a 2-1 lead after one period.
Shots on goal in the first period were 10-8
Czech’s tie the game back up at 4:02 of the second period when Victor Cihar scored. The assists on the goal went to Adam Benak and Prince Albert Raider Matyas Man.–The Czechs took control in the second, however. They tied the game in the early going on a delayed penalty, when Vojtech Cihar tipped an Adam Benak shot at 4:02.
Czech’s take the lead with a beautiful goal at 12:13 of the second period by Petr Sikora with the assists on the goal going to Vojtech Cihar and University of Massachusetts Vaclav Nestrasil.–Inevitably, they took the lead at 12:13 off a gorgeous three-way passing play deep in the Canada end. Vaclav Nestrasil from behind the net found Cihar in the slot, and he moved the puck to Petr Sikora, who made no mistake.
Zayne Parekh ties the game up for Canada on what appeared to be an effortless shot at 17:02 of the second period. The helpers on the goal went to Kitchener Ranger Cameron Reid and 2025 Utah Mammoth 4th overall pick Caleb Desnoyers.–Canada kept plugging away, and they were rewarded late in the period when Zayne Parekh’s shot, like Hage’s, found its way through traffic high over Orsulak’s glove.
Shots on goal in the second period were 11-6 for the Czech’s
Zayne Parekh scored another goal that shocked me it wasn’t stopped like the Czech’s are scared to touch him. The goal was scored at 3:49 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Gavin Mckenna and Macklin, Saskatchewans Cole Reschny. -The Canadians got a power play with the score tied 3-3 early in the third. Parekh collected a deflected McKenna pass in the high slot with his glove and then snapped his second of the night at 3:49.
New York Islanders 2025 Fourth Rounder Tomas Poletin knotted his second goal of the night to tie the game at 4 at 5:21 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Washington Capitals 2024 6th rounder Petr Sikora and Tomas Galvas.– Poletin got the Czechs back level at 5:21 with Canada a complete mess in the defensive zone.
Kelowna Rocket Tij Iginla makes it a 5-4 Canada game at 6:32 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to San Jose Shark Michael Misa and Edmonton Oil King Ethan MacKenzie.–Tij Iginla scored the go-ahead goal in the third period as Canada opened the world junior hockey championship with a nervy 7-5 victory over Czechia on Friday.
Edmonton Oil King Ethan MacKenzie makes it a 6-4 at 9:12 of the third period with the assist on the goal going to Montreal Canadiens 2024 first rounder Michael Hage.-MacKenzie made it 6-4 at 9:12 after taking a pass from Hage to complete a four-goal barrage in 5:23.
Czech’s get within one and make it 6-5 at 15:26 of the third period when Tomas Galvas scored. The assists on the goal went to Vaclav Nestrasl and Kelowna Rocket Vojtech Cihar.
Captain Porter Martone scores into the empty net you could see him mouth Fuck You Guys easy to read off his lips🤣He got an unsportsmanlike penalty for it🤣Time of the goal was 19:00 and the helpers on the goal went to Cole Beaudoin and Ethan MacKenzie.
Shots on goal in the third period were 11-10 for Canada. The Czech’s outshot the Canadians 33-27 in the game.
Los Angeles Kings 2024 second rounder Carter George stopped 28 of the 33 shots that he faced for the win for the Canadians. For the Czech’s Prince Albert Raider Michal Orsaluk made 20 saves on the 26 shots that he faced.
Star of the game for the Czechs was Tomas Poletin and for the Canadians it was Zayne Parekh.
Attendance in Minnesota was 5502
Canada’s next game is Sunday December 27th against Latvia.
