Canada Tops Finland 7‑4 in Thrilling World Juniors Showdown — Highlights & Key Moments
Team Canada defeated Finland 7‑4 in the World Junior Hockey Championship preliminary round, securing first place in Group B. Get the full highlights and key plays from the match.
In an electrifying encounter at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, Team Canada edged out Finland with a 7‑4 victory in their final preliminary round matchup on New Year’s Eve in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The win secured first place in Group B for Canada as both teams gear up for the quarterfinals.
The game opened with a flurry of offense as both sides traded early goals. Canada’s Zayne Parekh struck first, followed quickly by a Finnish reply from Julius Miettinen. Canada then regained the lead through Brady Martin, who ended the first period with momentum firmly on Canada’s side.
Canada’s Cole Beaudoin and Brady Martin each netted two goals, driving the Canadian attack, while Parekh contributed with a goal and two assists. Tij Iginla also found the back of the net and set up scoring chances throughout the match. Goalie Carter George played solidly between the pipes, helping limit Finland’s chances with 14 saves.
Despite Finland’s spirited effort — including goals from Roope Vesterinen, Oliver Suvanto, Julius Miettinen, and Lasse Boelius — Canada maintained its offensive pressure and depth, outshooting the Finns and capitalizing on key power‑play opportunities.
With this result, Canada finished the preliminary round with 11 of 12 possible points and now prepares to face Slovakia in the quarterfinals on January 2, 2026, while Finland will take on the United States in their knockout matchup.
The high‑scoring affair delighted fans and showcased elite junior talent from both nations, reaffirming Canada’s championship aspirations as one of the tournament favorites and highlighting Finland’s continued competitiveness on the world junior stage.
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