Canada U20 vs Slovakia U20: prediction & betting odds January 2, 2026

The quarterfinal match of the 2025 World Junior Championship between the national teams of Canada and Slovakia will take place on january 3 at 3M Arena Mariucci in Minneapolis. Canada vs Slovakia: prediction, betting odds and statistics.

Canada

The Canada national team topped Group B, dropping points in only one game, although that was against a fairly unexpected opponent. The team was also the most productive of all participants at the 2026 World Junior Championship – 25 goals scored. A significant contribution to that figure came from the trio Gavin McKenna, Zane Parekh and Michael Hage, each of whom collected 8 points. Moreover, the last of them is the tournament's top assistant (6 assists). The team also benefited from the most efficient power play – 53.8%. It is worth noting that Canada failed to overcome the quarterfinal stage in the two previous editions of the World Junior Championship.

• Canada did not score more than 6 goals in regulation time in 9 of their last 12 World Junior Championship games.
• The team won the 2nd period in 4 of their previous 5 matches at this tournament.
• Canada has beaten the upcoming opponent in 12 consecutive head-to-head meetings at the World Junior Championship (1 in overtime).

Slovakia

The Slovakia national team finished fourth in their group of five. A single victory over Germany, who finished bottom of the group, helped the team reach the playoffs. Moreover, the team won in regulation time in only one of their last 7 World Junior Championship matches (1 draw, 5 defeats). However, Tomas Hrenko (5+3) is among the top four scorers of the current edition of the tournament and also shares the title of top goal scorer. The quarterfinal stage has been a stumbling block for Slovakia for a long time: the last time they cleared it was at the 2015 World Junior Championship.

• The team has scored at least 2 goals in regulation time across 21 games at the World Junior Championship.
• In 9 of the last 10 meetings at this tournament the Slovaks ended 60 minutes without conceding more than 5 goals.
• The team did not lose the 3rd period in 6 of their last 8 World Junior Championship matches (4 wins, 2 draws).

Canada vs Slovakia: Match Prediction

Failing to reach the semifinals for a third consecutive time would be a shock for Canada. We are confident the mistakes of the past two years are not something the nominal hosts intend to repeat. At the same time, in our view the Canada national team needs a bright and large victory that will only add confidence. Achieving that is within the team's capabilities. The team performed well in the group stage, although it produced a negative surprise. Latvia became an unlucky opponent for the founders of hockey, although that result was most likely due to a banal underestimation of the opponent. The team will certainly avoid that in the playoffs. Moreover, the previous meeting with the Slovaks at the World Junior Championship was difficult for Canada.

Slovakia managed to beat only the team that finished bottom of the quartet, Germany. A match against an uncomfortable and highly motivated opponent does not promise anything good for the Slovakia national team. Recently the Slovaks lost to Canada by 1:11, and Slovakia lost to the upcoming opponent by more than a three-goal margin in 6 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings at the World Junior Championship. In addition, Slovakia has the second-worst penalty kill in the current edition of the tournament, which, combined with Canada's excellently executed power play, will contribute to goals being scored by Canada.

Prediction: Canada (-3.5)