In 2024 and 2025, Canada's journey ended in the quarterfinals.
The country finished fifth in the last two years due to defeats to the Czech Republic. Canada has already performed better in 2026 and will finish at least fourth. #Progress
Tomorrow, at 20:30, Dale Hunter's team will meet their enemy – the Czechs. They will be looking to avoid a third consecutive elimination against a European country.
Canada's junior national team is walking on eggshells ahead of the semi-finals: https://t.co/R5KPbN0NQq
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 4, 2026
On paper, Canada may have a superior team to the Czechs, but the game will be played on the ice. And unlike the Slovaks, the Canadiens did not officially declare: “We will definitely win.”
In fact, caution was the order of the day, and this is one of the reasons why according to Nicolas Cloutier (TVA Sports)Zain Parekh was not introduced to the media. The defender said a few days ago that in CMJhe could do whatever he wantedunlike “Flame” where “he has to give robotic responses.”
The players are aware that some rivalry is developing between Canada and the Czech Republic, but they have moved on and, in the words of Cole Beaudoin, “the past is the past.”
Despite the difference in talent between the two countries, Czech coach Patrick Augusta knows his team can beat the Canadiens for the third year in a row. Despite winning twice in the last two years, Augusta believes everyone is Canada's opponent as they are the team to beat.
And, in particular, the Canadian nation is unbeaten this year, which will make the task of opponents more difficult. It should also be remembered that in the decisive match Canada defeated the Czechs with a score of 7-5. At the end of the match, captain Porter Martone made a rather ugly gesture.
I am sure that the Czechs will want to avenge this gesture with the best revenge: victory.
After a while
– Missile attack.
Final score
Final score pic.twitter.com/C9PV44d6Aj– Laval Rocket (@RocketLaval) January 4, 2026
– Auston Matthews, Leafs all-time leading scorer.
Auston Matthews, Leafs all-time leading scorer: https://t.co/WYpgfd1m8D
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 4, 2026
– Oh no.
That's what happened to Tom Wilson. Grabs right ankle/shin immediately after . https://t.co/CVX1p59Ora
– Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 4, 2026
– Remarkable.
Friedman made Saturday headlines saying the Winnipeg Jets are looking for goal-scoring help.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 4, 2026
— The rest of Elliott Friedman's Saturday headlines.
Saturday news: https://t.co/6DjlxE9wX8
– Elliot Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 4, 2026
