The defending champion United States can reach the final in back-to-back years for the first time in its history at the world junior hockey championship.
But first it will need to get past the team that prevented it from getting a medal in 2022.
Saturday’s semifinals opponent is Czechia, which defeated the USA in the quarterfinals three years ago. Since then, the Americans have won a bronze (2023) and gold medal (2024). Czechia won a silver and bronze the past two years.
The teams have played 27 times in tournament history, with the USA winning 17 times. Czechia reached this year’s semifinals by knocking off host Canada 4-3 in Thursday’s quarterfinal. The USA routed Switzerland 7-2 with Boston College’s Ryan Leonard and James Hagens each scoring twice.
Rivals Sweden and Finland will play in the other semifinal. The bronze- and gold-medal games are Sunday. Here’s what to know about the semifinals at the world junior hockey championship:
When is world juniors hockey semifinals?
Sweden and Finland will play at 3:30 at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The United States and Czechia will play at 7:30.
How to watch world juniors hockey semifinals
Both semifinals will be shown on NHL Network in the United States and on TSN in Canada.
How to stream world juniors hockey semifinals
Fubo and Sling carry NHL Network in the United States.
Today’s world juniors hockey games
Sweden vs. Finland, 3:30 p.m; NHLN, TSN
USA vs. Czechia, 7:30 p.m.; NHLN, TSN
USA vs. Czechia players: What to know
United States: The Americans won a gold medal last year. They have brought back 10 players and coach David Carle. Returnees Leonard and Notre Dame’s Danny Nelson are tied for the team lead with four goals. So is Hagens, a front-runner for the top pick in the 2025 draft. Hagens and Boston University defenseman Cole Hutson have a team-high eight points. Boston College’s Gabe Perreault, the linemate of Leonard and Hagens, has seven points. The United States has the second-best power play at the tournament.
Czechia: Czechia won bronze last year. Forwards Eduard Sale and Jacob Stancl are tied for the team lead with five goals. Sale, a Seattle Kraken first-round pick who plays in the American Hockey League, has two game-winners. Stancl and Vojtech Hradec have a team-high eight points. Czechia has a slightly better penalty kill than the USA.
Sweden vs. Finland: What to know
Sweden: Sweden won silver last year. Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellika, a Detroit Red Wings first-round pick, is the tournament’s top remaining scorer with nine points. He and forward Anton Wahlberg have four goals. Victor Eklund, the brother of the San Jose Sharks’ William Eklund, is eligible for the 2025 draft. Sweden has the tournament’s top power play.
Finland: Finland lost to Czechia in last year’s bronze-medal game. Forward Jesse Kiiskinen has a team-best four goals and five points. Goalie Petteri Rimpinen has played every game, including a victory against the USA, and has a 2.00 goals-against average. Finland has the tournament’s top penalty kill and second-worst power play.
World juniors schedule
Dec. 26
Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
United States 10, Germany 4
Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
Canada 4, Finland 0
Dec. 27
Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
Finland 3, Germany 1
Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 3, Canada 2 (SO)
Dec. 28
Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
United States 5, Latvia 1
Dec. 29
Sweden 7, Switzerland 5
Finland 4, United States 3 (OT)
Czechia 4, Slovakia 2
Canada 3, Germany 0
Dec. 30
Slovakia 5, Kazakhstan 4 (OT)
Latvia 4, Germany 3 (OT)
Dec. 31
Switzerland 3, Kazakhstan 1
Finland 3, Latvia 0
Sweden 4, Czechia 2
United States 4, Canada 1
World juniors hockey playoff round
All times Eastern
Jan. 2 (quarterfinals)
Sweden 3, Latvia 2
United States 7, Switzerland 2
Finland 5, Slovakia 3
Czechia 4, Canada 3
Jan. 4
Sweden vs. Finland, 3:30 p.m; NHLN, TSN
USA vs. Czechia, 7:30 p.m.; NHLN, TSN
Jan. 5
Third-place game, 3:30 p.m., NHLN, TSN
Championship game, 7:30 p.m., NHLN, TSN
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