The intense rivalry between Canada and Czechia at the world junior hockey championship delivered another classic chapter on opening day. In a high-octane, back-and-forth battle at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis, Team Canada emerged with a narrow 7-5 victory over a determined Czech squad on December 26, 2025.
Offensive Fireworks Define the Contest
The game was a rematch of quarterfinal meetings from the two previous tournaments, and it lived up to its billing with relentless action. Canada took an early 2-1 lead into the first intermission thanks to goals from Brady Martin and Michael Hage, with Martin assisting on Hage's marker. Czechia's Tomas Poletin answered with a deflection.
The second period saw Czechia seize momentum, outshooting Canada and taking a 3-2 lead on goals from Vojtech Cihar and Petr Sikora. Just as the game threatened to slip away, defenceman Zayne Parekh stepped up with a point shot to tie the game 3-3 before the period ended, setting the stage for a wild third.
Parekh's Brilliance and Depth Scoring Shine
The final frame was a goal-scoring frenzy. Parekh struck again on the power play to give Canada a 4-3 lead, only to have Poletin tie it once more for Czechia. Canada then showcased its offensive depth as Tij Iginla and Ethan MacKenzie scored to create a two-goal cushion. After Tomas Galvas cut the lead to 6-5, Porter Martone sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Parekh, whose absence was felt on last year's team, was the standout performer. The 19-year-old Calgary Flames prospect logged a team-high 22:27 of ice time and displayed exceptional offensive skill from the blue line. He revealed he battled illness in the morning, saying, "I was feeling really under the weather, but I pumped some electrolytes into me, some meds, and felt great." Coach Dale Hunter praised his play, noting he "moved well, shot well."
Defensive Concerns Amid the Victory
While the offence was potent, the victory highlighted areas for improvement. Canada's defensive play was inconsistent, with turnovers and lost net-front battles leading to numerous high-quality chances against goaltender Carter George. George was forced to make several key saves early to keep Canada in the game. Coach Hunter pinpointed the issue post-game, stating simply, "It's the turnovers. We gotta correct that."
The win gives Canada a crucial start in Group B play at the tournament. The team demonstrated resilience by responding immediately each time Czechia tied the game, a positive sign for a squad looking to reclaim gold on the international stage.
