Canada Powers Past Finland to Clinch Group B at the World Juniors
If you stayed up to watch Canada face Finland at the World Junior Hockey Championship, you probably felt like you were strapped into a roller coaster from the opening faceoff. On New Year’s Eve in Minneapolis, Canada pulled off a high-octane 7–4 win over Finland, a result that secured first place in Group B and sent a clear message that this team is finding its stride at the right time.
The tone was set almost immediately. Canada scored on its very first shot, and before fans could even settle in, Finland answered back on its first chance too. Goals came in waves during a wild opening period, with both teams trading punches and neither goaltender getting much breathing room. It was one of those stretches where defense took a back seat, and pure chaos ruled the ice.
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Cole Beaudoin and Brady Martin emerged as the headline acts, each scoring twice in a performance that highlighted Canada’s depth. Zayne Parekh was everywhere, contributing a goal and two assists, while Tij Iginla added a crucial goal and an assist of his own. It felt like every Canadian line was involved, and that balanced attack kept Finland scrambling all night.
The game truly swung in Canada’s favor midway through the second period. With the score tied 3–3, a perfectly timed breakaway was finished by Iginla on the power play, restoring momentum to the Canadians. Beaudoin followed up late in the period to stretch the lead, although Finland showed its resilience by responding quickly and keeping things tense heading into the third.
By the final frame, Canada’s confidence was obvious. Beaudoin struck again to make it 6–4, giving his team some much-needed breathing room. From there, the game was managed smartly, with chances limited and pressure absorbed until Sam O’Reilly sealed the outcome with a late empty-net goal. Carter George didn’t face a heavy workload, but key saves were made when they mattered.
Beyond the scoreline, this win carried extra weight. Canada finished the round robin with 11 out of a possible 12 points, staying undefeated and extending its winning streak over Finland at the World Juniors to seven straight games. The only real hiccup so far was a narrow overtime win against Latvia, which now feels more like a learning moment than a concern.
Now, attention shifts to the knockout stage. Canada is set to face Slovakia in the quarterfinals, while Finland prepares for a tough matchup against the United States. For Canada, the bigger picture is clear. After recent disappointments and back-to-back fifth-place finishes, this team is chasing redemption and dreaming of a record 21st gold medal. If this performance was any indication, that dream is very much alive.
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