Canada faced Slovakia in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championships. Last year, ECJ lost to the Czech Republic at this stage of the competition.
There was only one change in the Canadian lineup. Jack Ivankovic kept goal and took Carter George's place.
Here's the Canadian lineup:
Ready for the quarterfinals.
Ready for the quarterfinal match.
#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/QSVIq26IQP
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Here is the composition of the Slovak national team:
IIHF World Junior Championship 2026: Canada – Slovakia – lineups, start time and TV program https://t.co/UtZblc8KJf
– Puck Talk MTL (@pucktalkmtl) January 3, 2026
Canada took control of the game in the first period. Cole Reshni scored on a jumper to open the scoring.
Reshny finds the lost puck and starts scoring!
Decisive grabs the puck and brings us to the scoreboard!
#WorldJuniors | #MondialJuniorpeak.twitter.com/XyDD547eZO
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Seconds later, Tij Iginla emulated his father with an NHL-worthy shot to double his team's lead. Clean and accurate shot.
What a blow from Tij Iginla!
What a blow from Tij Iginla!
#WorldJuniors | #MondialJuniorpeak.twitter.com/sQ8gWjx6AV
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Less than two minutes after the final goal, San Jose Sharks prospect Michael Misa took advantage of his captain's presence in front of the net to beat the Slovakian goalie. The shot that the latter would like to see.
Michael Misa continues in the same spirit!
Michael Misa adds to this!
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Canada couldn't get enough. Sam O'Reilly picked up the puck in front of the net and put it into the net. Caleb Denoyer provided the assist.
Four goals in 3:05 for ECJ.
Sam O'Reilly scores 4 goals in 3:05!
Sam O'Reilly scores! 4️⃣ goals in 3 minutes 5 seconds!
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Ending the period on a high note, Brady Martin took advantage of the power play to score Canada's fifth goal. He completed a great passing game with Gavin McKenna and Michael Hage.
THIS IS FIVE
FIRST PERIOD GOALS FOR CANADA!
Brady Martin extends Team Canada's lead heading into the first period! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/GVNzBNLeYI
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2026
In the second period, the Canadiens did not slow down. Canadiens captain Porter Martone joined the party. He went for the break and beat the Slovakian goalkeeper with a good shot.
The captain gets one!
And a goal for the captain!
#WorldJuniors | #MondialJuniorpeak.twitter.com/uWN3IpG8Nq
– Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2026
Everything was going wrong for the Slovakian team. Cole Beaudoin collected the rebound right into the slot and added a goal for Canada.
BEAUDOIN JOINS THE PARTY!
Team Canada scored a goal against Slovakia! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/W5RGZzkHwr
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2026
Slovakia has finally shown a sign of life. Jan Chovan gave his team some breathing room by beating the Canadiens goalie with a nice shot into the top corner.
Slovakia has joined their list.
Jan Chovan finally stops the bleeding and gets the Slovaks on the board!
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/cZNBA1idiK
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2026
Tempers flared up at the end of the second period, but nothing more.
Canada also dominated in shots, 36:11 after 40 minutes of play.
In the third period, both teams traded scoring chances, but neither succeeded despite a four-minute power play in Slovakia's favor.
Final score: 7-1 in favor of Canada.
Canada will face the Czech Republic in Sunday's semifinals.
after a while
– Canadiens prospect Michael Hage had a good game, as did most of the ECJ players. However, he fell short of the points, having made one assist in the attacking match.
– Canadiens goalie Ivankovic held the goal well, getting called 22 times. He could be the starting goalie in the next game.
Like Canadiens prospect Caleb Desnoyer had a strong game, as he has since the beginning of the tournament. He made an assist and scored a penalty.
– With this defeat, Slovakia finishes the tournament in 8th place, and Canada remains invincible.
