What a way to ring in the new year at the world juniors—Canada and Finland put on an absolute show on New Year’s Eve, trading blows early and often before the Canadians pulled away for a 7-4 win to snag top spot in Group B. Down at 3M Arena in Minneapolis, it was a battle between the two strongest teams in the group, both coming in with strong records, though Finland had been stingy in net all tournament, giving up the fewest goals by far. But goals came easy in this one, with the teams lighting it up right from the drop of the puck, and Canada ultimately showing that championship pedigree to take control. Cole Beaudoin was the hero with a pair of goals—including the one that broke the tie for good—and an assist, while Brady Martin chipped in two of his own. Zayne Parekh, the young Calgary Flames blueliner who’s already played a handful of NHL games this season, added a goal and a couple helpers, leading all defensemen in the tournament with his scoring touch. “It’s huge for us to get that win,” Martin said afterward, pointing out how grabbing first seed sets them up nicely for the quarters against Slovakia on Friday. Parekh, living out a dream in his first world juniors, called it everything he’d hoped for and more, just wanting to keep contributing as Canada chases that first gold since 2023 under coach Dale Hunter—the program with a record 20 titles already. Finland, no slouches with five golds of their own (last in 2019), now heads to a tougher matchup against the defending champ Americans. On a night when the Canadian Olympic roster dropped too, these young guns made it clear they’re hungry to end the drought and prove the future’s bright.
Calgary Flame Zayne Parekh opens up the scoring for the Canadians just 1:13 into the game. The assists on the goal went to Kelowna Rocket Tij Iginla and Michigan State Spartan Porter Martone.–Parekh flew into the Finnish zone and beat Rimpinen on the short side at 1:13 with Canada’s first shot on goal.
Everett Silvertips Julius Miettinen tied the game up for the Finns at 3:45 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to fellow Everett Silverip Matias Vanhanen.–Julius Miettinen – wearing Finland’s “C” with regular captain Aron Kiviharju out (although expected to return versus the U.S.) – answered back at 3:54. He skated to the net and accepted a slick pass from Vanhanen, his partner in crime with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, before roofing the puck home.
Soo Greyhound Brady Martin makes it a tie game at 4:26 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Michael Hage and Gavin McKenna.–Just 32 seconds later, Canada regained the lead. Michael Hage centered the puck from the goal to an onrushing Martin, and he made no mistake.
Tappara’s Oliver Suvanto makes it a 2-2 game at 5:40 of the first period with the assist on the goal going to Roope Vesterinen.–The Finns made it 2-2 at 5:40. George let out a fat rebound off his blocker and Oliver Suvanto banged it into the gaping cage.
Brady Martin gets his second goal of the game on the Power Play to give the Canadians a 3-2 lead at 10:40 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Michael Hage and Zayne Parekh.–Finnish forward Onni Kalto was sent off for a big hit on the end boards that left defenceman Ben Danford shaken up. The Canadian power play took just 12 seconds to cash in. Hage slid it on net and Martin was there on the doorstep to convert at 10:40.
Lasse Boelius makes it a 3-3 game at 12:59 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Jasper Kuhta and Matias Vanhanen.–Once again, Finland had an answer. On a 5-on-4, Lasse Boelius’s centre point blast sailed past George to make it 3-3 at 12:59. Hunter challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the play stood upon review.
Shots on goal in the first period were 8 each
2025 Utah Mammoth first rounder Tij Iginla made it a 4-3 game on the Power Play for the Canadians at 9:35 of the second period with the assists on the goal going to Zayne Parekh and goalie Carter George. Tij Iginla scored on a breakaway at 9:35 to make it 4-3.
Cole Beaudoin gave the Canadians a 2 goal lead at 17:05 of the second period to make it a 5-3 game. The assists on the goal went to Caleb Desnoyers and Sam O’Reilly.–Beaudoin gave Canada its first two-goal lead when he banged in a loose puck at 17:05.
Roope Vesterinen got the Finns within a goal at 17:40 of the second period unassisted.–
Shots on goal in the second period were 15-4 for the Canadians
Cole Beaudoin gets his second goal of the game to make it 6-4 at 8:20 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Sam O’Reilly and Caleb Desnoyers.
Sam O’Reilly made it a 7-4 game at 18:56 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Cole Beaudoin and Kashawn Aitcheson.
Shots on goal in the third period were 9-6 for the Canadians. The Canadians outshot the Finns 32-18 in the game
Carter George made 14 saves on the 18 shots that he faced for the win for the Canadians. For the Finns Petteri Rimpinen made 25 saves on the 31 shots that he faced.
Canada’s next game is the quarter finals January 2nd, Friday against Slovakia
