Canada and Finland were battling for first place in Group B tonight.
The winner will face Slovakia.
Thanks to a 6:4 victory, the Canadiens will face the Slovaks. Finland finished third and will face the Americans.
Early in the game, defender Zane Parekh scored his fourth goal of the tournament.
JUST OVER A MINUTE ZAIN PAREKH LEADS CANADA AHEAD! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/a02klEi9Mm
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
However, a few moments later the Finns equalized the score.
Julius Miettinen scored with a good shot into the top corner.
HELLO JULIUS MIETTINEN!
@WHLsilvertips the star records the beauty on New Year's Eve #WorldJuniors. @SeattleKraken | #SeaKraken
– Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 1, 2026
Seconds later, Michael Hage did it all for Brady Martin.
What passes from Hage and Martin, who collected the “guest broadcast” into their own goal.
Brady Martin covers Michael Hage's serve to put Canada back up 2-1.
: TSN | IIHF pic.twitter.com/9GqtJbNMt8
– Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) January 1, 2026
Two shots on each side, two goals on each side.
Oliver Suvanto returned equal conditions to the Finns.
FOUR GOALS FROM FIVE SHOTS RIGHT NOW IN THE CANADA-FINLAND GAME
(By using @TSN_Sports)pic.twitter.com/ubHapPezJD
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 1, 2026
The first period eventually ended with the score 3:3.
After the Canadiens power play goal(Michael Hage added another assist), the Finns scored in the dispute.
CANADA ALLOWS A THIRD GOAL TO FINLAND FOR GOALIE INTERFERENCE, BUT IT STAYS?
3-3 AND ONLY IN THE FIRST PERIOD.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/1tghxnxjks
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Habs prospect Aatos Koivu played just two shifts in the first period.
Aatos Koivu played two matches in the first period. That's all he got.
On the edge of the bench in Finland as we speak. pic.twitter.com/CebgzGbCRm
– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) January 1, 2026
The tournament's best power play added a little more in the second period.
Parekh passed the ball to Tij Iginla.
AN ABSOLUTE DIME FROM THE GUY
pic.twitter.com/WUbuqMibBA
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittin'chiclets) January 1, 2026
Two more goals were scored before the end of the second period, which was dominated by the Canadians.
First, Cole Beaudoin gave his club a two-goal lead.
COLE BAUDOIN PUTS CANADA BY TWO!
5-3
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/70pslRDlPl
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Secondly, after 35 seconds, Roope Vesterinen reduced the gap to one goal.
FINLAND GETS IT DIRECTLY FROM ROOPE ESTERINEN'S ROCKET.
THIS GAME IS INSANE.
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rExoDFwYEa
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Beaudoin increased his tally in the third period.
He restored his team's two-goal lead, putting Canada in first place in Group B.
COLE BAUDOIN INCREASES CANADA TO 6-4 WITH HIS SECOND OF THE NIGHT! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/K2qXM5VWeL
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Hage finished the preliminary stage with the most points of any player in the competition. He has an equal chance with teammates Parekh and Gavin McKenna, as well as Slovakian Tomas Chrenko.
All four finished with eight points from four matches.
After a while
All bets are off!
The quarterfinals start in two days. Sweden will face Latvia, the USA will face Finland, the Czech Republic will play Switzerland and Canada will face Slovakia.
The Germans and Danes will play to stay in the world group. The Norwegians will take the place of the retiring nation.
