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 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Czechia | – | – | – | – | – |
Canada vs. Czechia live updates, highlights from 2023 World Juniors
(All times Eastern.)
Pregame
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 |