Key Takeaways
- Canada is looking to recover from a heartbreaking loss to Czechia in the semifinals and win the bronze medal against Finland at the World Juniors.
- Canada has lost to Czechia in the medal round for the third straight time, and is seeking to avoid going home without a medal for a third straight year.
- Finland is also looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Sweden in the semifinals and win the bronze medal.
- The two teams previously met in the round robin, with Canada winning 7-4.
- Canada’s captain Porter Martone and forward Gavin McKenna expressed their disappointment and frustration after the loss to Czechia, but are looking to regroup and respond in the bronze-medal game.
Introduction to the Bronze-Medal Game
Team Canada is looking to recover from heartbreak as they take on Finland for the bronze medal at the World Juniors in Minnesota on Monday. The frustrated Canadian team is coming off a 6-4 loss to Czechia in the semifinals on Sunday, marking it as the third straight time Czechia has beaten Canada in the medal round of the annual tournament. This loss has left Canada seeking to avoid going home without a medal for a third straight year, which would equal the country’s worst stretch at the World Juniors.
Canada’s Disappointing Loss to Czechia
Canada was forced to rally from three one-goal deficits throughout Sunday’s game, highlighted by captain Porter Martone’s game-tying goal with just 2:41 remaining in the third period. However, Czechia’s Tomas Poletin broke the tie just over a minute later and Vojtech Cihar recorded an empty-net goal to seal the victory for Czechia. Canada then became undisciplined, with Cole Reschny taking a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference and Gavin McKenna handed a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct for abuse of officials. This loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Canadian team, and they will be looking to regroup and respond in the bronze-medal game.
Canada’s History with Czechia
Sunday’s game had a similar ending to what Canada has experienced at the past two World Junior tournaments against Czechia. At the 2024 World Juniors in Sweden, Canada was forced to come back from a 2-0 deficit to Czechia in the quarter-finals, only to give up the game-winning goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the game. The following year, playing in front of Canadian fans in Ottawa, Canada faced Czechia in the quarters once again and had to rally to tie the game with 4:18 remaining in the third period. However, Czechia scored with just 20 seconds remaining in the frame to seal Canada’s loss. This history of close losses to Czechia has left Canada seeking redemption and a chance to prove themselves in the bronze-medal game.
Canada’s Motivation for the Bronze-Medal Game
Canada now enters the bronze-medal game looking to avoid going home without a medal for a third straight year. The only other time Canada missed the podium three straight years at the World Juniors was between 1979 to 1981. "Very tough, but [we’re] doing it for Canada," McKenna said of the bronze-medal game. "We’ve got to regroup to be ready." Captain Porter Martone also expressed his team’s motivation, saying "We came here for a gold medal [but] we’ve got a chance to respond." The Canadian team is looking to put their disappointment behind them and focus on winning the bronze medal.
Finland’s Road to the Bronze-Medal Game
Finland enters Monday’s game having lost their semifinal matchup with Sweden in heartbreaking fashion themselves. Like Canada, Finland fought back from two one-goal deficits to force overtime, including Joona Saarelainen’s game-tying goal with 3:59 remaining in the third period. After a scoreless overtime session, Sweden outscored Finland 2-1 in the shootout to move onto the gold-medal game. Finland is looking to medal at the World Juniors for the second straight year after winning silver at last year’s tournament in Ottawa.
Previous Meeting Between Canada and Finland
Canada and Finland faced each other during the round robin on New Year’s Eve, with Canada cementing their spot at the top of Group B with a 7-4 victory. This previous meeting will likely have an impact on the bronze-medal game, as both teams will be looking to gain an edge over their opponent. Finland’s head coach Lauri Mikkola expressed his pride in his team, saying "I’m very proud of our team. Every guy put everything on the ice. It’s a great team we have here." The stage is set for an exciting bronze-medal game between two teams seeking redemption and a chance to prove themselves.
