The World Juniors gold-medal game is today, as Canada and Czechia wrap up the 2023 competition.
The tournament has come full circle. It was Czechia that handed Canada a stunning 5-2 upset on the first day of the games. Since then, Canada has not lost a single game and Czechia has yet to be defeated in regulation.
The Canadians scored six unanswered goals against the United States to walk away with a 6-2 win in the semifinals. Thomas Milic was stellar again in net, making 43 saves in the win. The top line of Connor Bedard, Joshua Roy, and Logan Stankoven contributed multi-point efforts in the victory to clinch Canada its fourth consecutive World Juniors championship appearance.
MORE: Watch the 2023 World Juniors live with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)
Czechia punched its ticket to the gold-medal game with a 2-1 comeback win over Sweden. David Jiricek forced overtime by scoring an equalizer with 38 seconds left in regulation, followed by Jiri Kulich’s game-winner in the extra frame.
Canada is aiming to become the first repeat World Juniors champions since 2009. Meanwhile, Czechia has its eyes on the country’s first World Juniors gold medal since 2001.
MORE: 2023 World Juniors schedule, standings, results
The Sporting News is providing live updates and highlights from the Canada-Czechia final matchup at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Canada vs. Czechia score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
| Canada | 1 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Czechia | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
Canada vs. Czechia live updates, highlights from 2023 World Juniors
(All times Eastern.)
Second period
7:31 p.m. — Just 40 seconds into the frame and Czechia gets a power play. Del Mastro is called for tripping Jiricek. That seemed like a late call form the official.
7:30 p.m. — The second period has begun from Halifax.
End of the first period: Canada 1, Czechia 0
7:10 p.m. — After 20 minutes, Canada leads in the gold-medal game 1-0. It was all Canada for the last half of the period as Czechia was a step slower to every puck and the Canadians were winning seemingly every 1 on 1 battle. But for as much offensive zone time it has had, Canada did not get a ton of shots on Suchanek. The team registered 10 shots on goal in the opening frame. Czechia had just six.
7:08 p.m. — Milic makes a big save with three minutes to go in the period. Martin Rysavy is sent in on a breakaway attempt, but he can’t beat the Canadian goalie.
Rysavy streaks in alone but Milic shuts the door ❌#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/WDXE03sldn
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2023
7:07 p.m. — Czechia is struggling to get the puck out of its own zone. Canada is getting extended offensive zone time and by the time the Czechs get a breakout chance, they are gassed. It’s been all Canada for the last couple of minutes.
7:04 p.m. — Othmann continues to be a wrecking ball for Canada.
Brennan Othmann (#NYR) catches this Czech forward with an absolutely massive hit along the boards.
🎥: @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/v4KsNQ494w
— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) January 6, 2023
7:02 p.m. — A strong give-and-go by the Czechs sends Kulich in with space on Milic. He goes backhand to forehand, but the Canadian goalie blockers off the shot. That was similar to the move Kulich made on Sweden goalie Carl Lindbom for his semifinal OT winner.
6:59 p.m. — GOAL! In the dying seconds of the power play, Dylan Guenther rips a one-timer off the bar and in. That’s his office right there, every goal he has scored at the tournament has been from the left dot on the power play. With 7:19 left in the first, it’s 1-0 Canada.
CANADA STRIKES FIRST ⚡️
Dylan Guenther lasers one home on the power-play to give Canada a 1-0 lead.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/F04hUe9Pvn
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2023
6:56 p.m. — After a big hit by Brennan Othmann on David Jiricek, Jiricek drags down Othmann and is called for holding. With 9:09 left in the period, Canada gets its first power play.
6:54 p.m. — We’ve reached the halfway point in the period, still no score.
6:53 p.m. — Gabriel Sztruc comes inches away from opening the scoring for Czechia, but his shot from the slot hits the post. It was Ethan Del Mastro with the turnover at his own blue line that led to the Sztruc chance.
Gabriel Szturc beats the goalie with a laser of a wrist shot, but he can’t beat the post, and this game remains scoreless in the first period.
🎥: @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/DFCEKPGl4a
— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) January 5, 2023
6:52 p.m. — Connor Bedard fires a shot from the blue line that goes in, but the whistle had already been blown for offsides. Bedard was working the offensive blue line and just barely had brought the puck out of the zone.
Canada almost strikes first but the play was ruled offside.
The game remains scoreless.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Sc7ECkwiEo
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2023
6:51 p.m. — There have been tons of blocked and tipped shots so far. The game is over eight minutes in yet each team only has one registered shot on goal.
6:44 p.m. — Czechia can’t capitalize on the early man advantage despite multiple shot attempts. The Czechs love shooting, especially from the point. A number of good blocks on that PK by Canada, including a couple by Tyson Hinds.
6:41 p.m. — Just 1:45 into the game, and Nathan Gaucher is called for interference. An early power play for Czechia. Discipline was an issue for Canada in its previous loss to Czechia.
6:38 p.m. — Puck is down and the gold-medal game has begun from Halifax.
Pregame
6:25 p.m. — Lines for both teams. A great goaltender duel with Milic vs. Tomas Suchanek.
It’s Canada. It’s Czechia. It’s the gold medal game at the 2023 World Juniors in the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Puck drop is only moments away.
This is how they’ll line up. Thomas Milic starts in goal for the Canadians; Tomáš Suchánek for the Czechs. Let’s. Go. pic.twitter.com/qyFMOaEqKi
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) January 5, 2023
6:15 p.m. — Here is how Canada lines up for the gold-medal game. No changes in the lineup and Thomas Milic should start.
13 F + 7 D + 2 G = 🇨🇦
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/GWEAlZ9EDo— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 5, 2023
5:55 p.m. — A major factor in the game tonight is going to be the ice. It was an issue in Canada’s semifinal game against Sweden and already was skated on today for the bronze-medal game.
5:30 p.m. — Canada can become the first time in over a decade to win back-to-back gold medals at the World Juniors. Meanwhile, the last time Czechia won gold (2001), no one on its current roster had been born yet.
Canada vs. Czechia start time
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. AST)
The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local time) from the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, N.S., the home of the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads.
MORE: Team Canada 2023 World Juniors roster, results
This is the final game of the World Juniors.
What channel is Canada vs. Czechia on today?
- Canada: TSN 1/3/4/5
- United States: NHL Network
TSN has all the World Juniors action in Canada. In the United States, viewers can find the games on NHL Network.
Gord Miller and Mike Johnson are on the call for TSN. James Duthie, Bob McKenzie and Cheryl Pounder will provide analysis during intermissions.
How to live stream World Juniors hockey games
Fans in Canada can stream all World Juniors games at TSN.ca or the TSN app. U.S. fans can stream the tournament on fuboTV (which offers a free trial), NHL.tv or the NHL app.
Canada vs. Czechia odds
- Puckline: Canada -1.5 (-182)
- Moneyline: Canada (-500)
- O/U: 6.5
Canada is a 1.5-goal favorite on the puck line against Czechia in the gold medal game, according to Sports Interaction.
Canada World Juniors schedule 2023
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Time (ET) | TV Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 26 | Czechia | L, 5-2 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 28 | Germany | W, 11-2 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 29 | Austria | W, 11-0 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Dec. 31 | Sweden | W, 5-1 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 2 | Slovakia (Quarterfinals) | W, 4-3 (OT) | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 4 | USA (Semifinals) | W, 6-2 | FINAL | TSN, NHLN |
| Jan. 5 | Czechia (Gold-medal game) | — | 6:30 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
