Team Canada has won their first game of the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On Friday, Canada defeated the Czech Republic 7-5.
This was an offensive-minded game by both teams, with poor defense and goaltending on both sides. Team Canada had two goals in the first period, one goal in the second period and four goals in the third period.
Team Canada was led in scoring by Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage and defenseman Ethan MacKenzie of the Edmonton Oil Kings. Hage of Oakville, Ontario, and MacKenzie of Peachland, British Columbia each had one goal and two assists for three points.
Three more Canadians had multiple point games. Calgary Flames defenseman Zayne Parekh of Markham, Ontario had two goals, Nashville Predators prospect and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds centre Brady Martin of Kitchener, Ontario had one goal and one assist for two points, and Gavin McKenna of Whitehorse, Yukon had two assists for two points. The two other Canadian goal scorers were Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla of Kelowna, British Columbia and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone of Peterborough, Ontario.
Even though Canada won, there were some concerns on Friday of Canada’s lack of discipline, particularly from Martone, the team captain. Martone took two dumb penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with a minute left. It will be interesting to see if Team Canada head coach Dale Hunter benches Martone on Saturday against Latvia in order to send a message.
