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The preliminary round is over. From here on out, it’s survival hockey.
After an unbeaten run through Group B, Canada faces a familiar test tonight when it meets Slovakia in the quarterfinals of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Puck drop is set for 5:30 p.m. PST in Minneapolis, with the winner moving on to the medal round and the loser eliminated.
Canada arrives with confidence and momentum after finishing atop Group B without a loss, fuelled by an offence that has erupted for 16 goals over its last two games, including a 7–4 win over Finland on New Year’s Eve.
That scoring surge has been led by Canada’s top line, where chemistry and speed have driven much of the attack.
Michael Hage has been a steady playmaker, setting up Brady Martin for a pair of goals against Finland, while Gavin McKenna continues to be one of the tournament’s most dangerous forwards.
McKenna enters the quarterfinal tied for the tournament lead with eight points, combining timely scoring with strong puck distribution.
But Canada’s depth has been just as important.
A line originally deployed as a checking unit, Cole Beaudoin, Sam O’Reilly and Caleb Desnoyers, provided a critical offensive boost against the Finns.
Beaudoin finished with two goals and an assist, while O’Reilly added a goal and two helpers, turning defensive responsibility into timely scoring.
“We just play heavy and hard,” Beaudoin told Hockey Canada after the win.
“We play defence first and then we get our chances on the offence. We’re just waiting for our bounces.”
Canada has been eliminated in the quarterfinals in each of the past two World Junior Championships, a reality that adds urgency to a roster built to contend for gold.
Under head coach Dale Hunter, the Canadians are aiming to turn a strong preliminary showing into a deep playoff run.
Slovakia, meanwhile, enters as an underdog but not an afterthought. The Slovaks finished fourth in Group A and have leaned heavily on forward Tomas Chrenko, who is tied for the tournament lead with five goals and eight points.
His ability to capitalize on limited chances makes Slovakia dangerous in a single-elimination setting.
History favours Canada, as the Canadians have dominated the all-time head-to-head at the World Juniors, but recent tournaments have shown Slovakia is capable of pushing elite nations to the limit.
Their quarterfinal meeting in 2023 required overtime before Canada finally pulled through. Tonight’s game offers no such safety net.
Canada is 60 minutes away from the medal round, with its tournament on the line.