The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship concludes with a championship and third-place match on Saturday.
On tap
All games on NHL Network in the US, TSN and RDS in Canada
Czech Republic vs. Sweden (4 p.m. ET) — The Czech Republic is trying to finish in the top three at the World Juniors for the first time since third in 2005. “I think it’s going to be a big thing for our country,” forward Michal Gut said Friday. “We haven’t won a medal in 17 years so it will be a big challenge for us and I think we are ready.” Jan Misak (Montreal Canadiens), who scored a goal in a 5-2 loss to Canada in the semifinals, is the Czech Republic’s top player and leads them with seven points (five goals, two assists) in six games. Sweden will be looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Finland in the semifinals, but forward Liam Ogren (Minnesota Wild) said it shouldn’t be too difficult for his team to find the motivation they need. “We are professional players,” he said. “Just try to leave this match and try to focus on winning a bronze medal instead of going home with nothing. Of course we want to win the last game of this tournament.”
Canada vs. Finland (8 p.m. ET) — Canada is in the championship for the third consecutive tournament after winning it in 2020 and losing to the United States in 2021. The line of Kent Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets), Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars) and Tyson Foerster (Philadelphia Flyers ) was Canada’s best in the semifinals against the Czech Republic, combining for six points (two goals, four assists). Stankoven also went 19 for 21 in the faceoffs. “It’s been a lot of fun playing with those two guys and I think we’re getting better and better as the tournament goes on,” Stankoven said. Canadian forward Mason McTavish (Anaheim Ducks) leads the tournament with eight goals and 15 points. Canada won 6-3 when the teams played in the last preliminary round match on Aug. 15, but Finland believes it can carry over the defensive effort it had in its 1-0 win against Sweden in the semifinals. “I think we shouldn’t think too much about Canada or anything like that,” said Finnish forward Ronny Hirvonen (Toronto Maple Leafs). “We just have to do the same tonight and then some more.”
Shortcuts
World Junior Championship Predictions
World Junior Championship Rosters
Tournament schedule
LNH.com writer Guillaume Lepage and NHL.com freelance correspondent Derek Van Diest contributed to this report
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