The meeting of Matchday 6 of the 2026 World Junior Championship between the national teams of Canada and Finland will take place on 1 January at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis. Canada vs Finland: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Canada
Canada defeated Denmark in their previous match at the tournament 9:1, securing a third consecutive victory. Four players registered three-point games, including Gavin McKenna, who recorded a hat-trick. The team are the highest-scoring side at this tournament with 18 goals, while, after Finland in Group A, they are also among the most reliable defensively with seven goals conceded. In the Group A standings the team sit first with eight points.
- Canada scored at least four goals in regulation time in 8 of their last 10 World Junior matches.
- No more than seven goals were scored after 60 minutes in 7 of Canada’s previous 9 matches at this tournament.
- The national team did not concede more than two goals in regulation time in 5 of their last 8 World Junior games.
Finland
Finland suffered their first defeat at the current World Junior Championship, losing in overtime to the Czech Republic 1:2 in their last match. The only goal for the team came late in the third period in a 6-on-5 situation and was scored by Emil Hemming. The team are the most reliable side at this tournament, having conceded only four goals, while they are also among the top three for goals scored with 15. In their group the team sit second with seven points.
- Finland did not score more than two goals in regulation time in 7 of their last 8 World Junior matches.
- The national team did not lose in 60 minutes in nine previous matches at this tournament (5 wins, 4 draws).
- At least six goals were scored in regulation time in 5 of Finland’s last 6 World Junior matches.
Canada vs Finland: Match Prediction
Canada look like the favorite for the upcoming game, at least on paper when considering the lineups; nevertheless, we would not write off Finland — they know how to stick in games and play with character. The first serious test against the Czech Republic went wrong, however the team still managed to collect at least one point, and at this World Junior Championship they have not lost in regulation time (2 wins, 1 draw).
Canada also have weak points, as at least the match against Latvia demonstrated. The attacking quality and skill level of the team are impressive, but Finland defend reliably and over three matches at the tournament have conceded only three goals in regulation time, so in our view the opposition will not be able to score decisively many goals against them.
It is worth noting that in 5 of Canada’s last 7 World Junior matches the team did not win by more than a two-goal margin. Finland, meanwhile, have not lost by such a margin in nine previous matches at this tournament.
Prediction: Finland (+2.5)
Carter George
Jack Ivankovic
Joshua Ravensbergen
Ben Danford
Cameron Reid
Ethan MacKenzie
Harrison Brunicke
Kashawn Aitcheson
Keaton Verhoeff
Zayne Parekh
Brady Martin
Braeden Cootes
Caleb Desnoyers
Carter Bear
Gavin McKenna
Liam Greentree
Michael Misa
Sam O'Reilly
Tij Iginla
Patrik Kerkola
Rimpinen Petteri
Saarinen Kim
Aron Kiviharju
Arttu Välilä
Daniel Nieminen
Juho Piiparinen
Lasse Boelius
Mitja Jokinen
Veeti Väisänen
Heikki Ruohonen
Jasper Kuhta
Max Westergård
Onni Kalto
