Canada vs. Czechia has become junior hockey’s best rivalry
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Twelve goals.
It doesn’t matter which team you were cheering for. If the Canada/Czechia World Junior Championship game on Friday night didn’t entertain you, nothing will.
It was far from a sellout at the 3M Arena at Mariucci. But the energy was electric, and fans were treated to one of the wildest opening night games in recent memory. The bout had everything. Pre-game shoves, excessive chirps. And, most importantly, non-stop goals. Wide-open, free-flowing, no-nonsense hockey. What’s not to like?
Canada came in with a chip on their shoulder. Considered to be the pre-tournament favorites, they opened the tournament against the team that sent them packing in the quarterfinals two years in a row. Canada had 13 total goals last year. They had three against Czechia. Today, Canada had seven – and they were finally able to slay their demons.
The Canadians hold an all-time record of 22-4-2 against Czechia in this tournament. But the Czechs entered 2026 riding a three-year medal streak, including a silver medal at the 2023 tournament in Halifax.
Canada was up to some pre-game shenanigans at centre ice with Czechia. 👀#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/zWKYi9X4uF
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2025The days of Canada rolling over the Czechs year after year are over. The Czechs mean business.
“It means a lot to us, but even more to the country,” said goaltender Carter George, who was in net for the loss in Ottawa. “The last two years, they’ve knocked us out. So for us to get our first win against them (this year), it means a lot.”
Most casual fans will keep a close eye on the World Juniors, but the junior national tournament landscape goes much deeper. This is a rivalry that has gone deep within the 2006, 2007 and 2008 age groups. Canada beat Czechia for gold at the 2023 and 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cups. Many players from both years featured prominently in Friday’s game, including Gavin McKenna and Adam Benak. And that doesn’t count other meetings between the U-17 and U-18 level, either.
Canada expects to win every time they hit the ice. They’ve built the most successful program in tournament history. That’s why the consecutive quarterfinal losses have meant so much to the program.
“Sitting with that loss last year sucked,” McKenna said. “For us to get that win, it feels good, and I’m sure the country’s feeling good.”
Canada’s two-goal victory was the only U-20 matchup between the two teams (including the 2025 pre-tournament) to not be a one-goal difference. The last time that happened was when Czechia beat Canada 5-2 to kick off the 2023 event, only for Canada to get revenge in the gold medal game. Before that, just about every other game was a blowout – 5-1, 3-0, 7-2, 5-1, 7-2, and even a 9-0 pre-tournament blowout.
All of those were in Canada’s favor.
For Czechia, Friday’s loss will sting. But they’ve proven consistently that they can give the big dogs a fight every single year. There’s a reason why the Canadian team put so much emphasis on beating the Czechs – they’re an international powerhouse.
“A few years ago, nobody would have believed in us,” Chicago Blackhawks prospect Vaclav Nestrasil said. “And now, we’re a good team, a competitor. I think that’s the most important thing, a good thing for Czech hockey.”
Canada and the United States have an obvious built-in rivalry. But they’ve only met in the tournament four times since the 2020 edition. They’ve split the results equally, but there haven’t been as many compelling, tight fights as the ones Canada and Czechia have put on in recent years.
Canada typically has the most raw skill. But over the past two years, in particular, the Czechs played better as a team – and that’s usually more important. Czechia never seems to ice the most talented roster, but they’ll grind you down until there’s nothing left. No team knows that better than Canada.
Friday’s bout felt like a good, true, old-school World Junior game. The one that brings a nation together and helps put this event in the spotlight. The IIHF didn’t have to worry about going up against a packed NHL schedule. Instead, they delivered a high-quality product full of excitement, mistakes and late-game drama.
Fortunately for Canada, they can’t lose to Czechia in the quarterfinal for the third straight year. But given the Czechs are icing one of its best rosters ever, Canada’s route to gold could cross paths with its heated rivals. And if that happens, they’ll be ready.
“If we do see them in an elimination game, we’ll be hungry for that one, too,” George said.
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