/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-tor.buminteractif.com%2F2025%2F12%2F01042650%2FScreenshot-2025-12-31-at-11.07.58-PM-1-1.jpg)
Canada and Finland were playing for top spot in Group B this evening.
The winner will face Slovakia.
Thanks to a 6-4 victory, the Canadiens will take on the Slovaks. Finland finished third and will face the Americans.
Early in the game, Zayne Parekh, a defenseman, scored his fourth goal of the tournament.
JUST OVER A MINUTE IN ZAYNE PAREKH GIVES CANADA THE LEAD!
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/a02klEi9Mm
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
However, the Finns tied the game moments later.
Julius Miettinen scored with the help of a good shot in the top corner.
JULIUS MIETTINEN, HOW DO YA DO!
The @WHLsilvertips star records a beauty on New Year's Eve at the #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 “an assist” on his own goal.
Brady Martin buries the setup from Michael Hage, and Canada is 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 put the Finns back on level terms.
FOUR GOALS ON FIVE SHOTS RIGHT NOW IN THE CANADA VS FINLAND GAME
(Via @TSN_Sports)pic.twitter.com/ubHapPezJD
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 1, 2026
The first period finally ended 3-3.
After a Canadiens powerplay goal(Michael Hage picked up another assist), the Finns scored in controversy.
CANADA CHALLENGES FINLAND'S THIRD GOAL FOR GOALIE INTERFERENCE BUT IT STANDS?
ITS 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 first-period shifts.
Aatos Koivu had two appearances in the 1st period. That's all he got.
At the end of the Finland bench 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 made quite a pass to Tij Iginla.
AN ABSOLUTE DIME FROM PAREKH
pic.twitter.com/WUbuqMibBA
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 1, 2026
Before the end of the Canadian-dominated second period, two more goals were scored.
First, Cole Beaudoin gave his club a two-goal lead.
COLE BEAUDOIN PUTS CANADA UP TWO!
5-3
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/70pslRDlPl
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Secondly, 35 seconds later, Roope Vesterinen reduced the gap to one goal.
FINLAND GETS IT RIGHT BACK OFF A ROCKET FROM ROOPE ESTERINEN.
THIS GAME IS INSANE.
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/rExoDFwYEa
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Beaudoin added to his tally in the third period.
He restored his team's two-goal lead, putting Canada in first place in Group B.
COLE BEAUDOIN WITH HIS SECOND OF THE NIGHT PUTS CANADA UP 6-4! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/K2qXM5VWeL
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026
Hage finished the preliminary phase with the most points of any player in the competition. He is tied with teammates Parekh and Gavin McKenna and Slovakia's Tomas Chrenko.
All four finished with eight points from four matches.
Overtime
All bets are off!
In two days' time, the quarter-finals get underway. Sweden take on Latvia, the USA meet Finland, the Czechs play Switzerland, and Canada face Slovakia.
The Germans and Danes will play to stay in the world group. The Norwegians will take the place of the eliminated nation.
