Welcome back for another edition of the WJC Predictions for the 2025 IIHF World Under-20 Junior Championships brought to you by us at Last Word on Hockey. We take a look at the games and break down the head-to-head matchups and other factors that play in as we watch the next crop of NHL superstars. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured match is Team Germany as they dare to take on the home favourites, Team Canada from the home of the Ottawa Senators, the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ontario.
World Junior Hockey Championships (2025 WJC) Predictions
Czechia versus Slovakia
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN; NHL Network
For our first game, we shall examine the rivalry of the former two countries that used to make up Czechoslovakia. The teams have competed as separate entities since the 1994 tourney. Czechia has won five medals since that time, include a silver and bronze in the last two tournaments. Meanwhile, Slovakia has only managed two bronze medals. Although lately Slovakia is determined to raise its level of playing field. Juraj Slafkovsky comes to mind, the 2022 first-overall NHL Entry Draft selection, as a sign Slovakia is tracking back to its previous success. Unfortunately for them, Czechia has also seemed to raise its expectations and been a very strong representative in the tournament as of late.
A Battle Between the Former Friends Czechia and Slovakia
If you look at a good individual showdown between the two countries, it is a couple of St. Louis Blue prospects. Dalibor Dvorsky is the Slovak captain and has a goal and an assist thus far in the tournament. Moreover, Adam Jiricek is a solid defender on a deep Czechia defensive squad.
If you are looking for an edge on the game specifically, Czechia is a solid team. Their team save percentage of .932 is good for second in the tourney entering action today. Look for this game to be a bit more of a test for them as they have easily got by Kazakhstan and Switzerland so far, outscoring their opponents a combined 19-3.
Slovakia started the tournament against a tough Swedish side, losing 5-2. However, Friday’s 2-1 victory against Switzerland was key in giving the team some potential momentum. Daniel Jencko got the game winner and is one of the leaders for this Slovak side. He will be looking to attack if Slovakia is going to be able to generate enough offence to get past Czechia in this one. Scoring will be tough whoever is in net for Czechia, but especially if it is Michael Hrabal. Hrabal is in the midst of a solid sophomore campaign with UMass-Amherst of the NCAA. In 16 games , he has a .917 SV% and was originally an Arizona Coyote pick back in 2023.
WJC Predictions: Czechia 4 – Slovakia 2.
Next is our feature matchup, Germany against Canada. Okay, it might not have the prestige of a more rivalry-type clash, but this is Canada, and the World Junior tournament, and it is always a huge game. Just ask Latvia, who may have just planned the parade.
Team Germany Will Take On the Host Canadians Squad in WJC Predictions
Canada will be fired up for this one and that might be a bad sign for Germany. Canada is loaded with star power and Germany will find them very tough to contain.
One player on Germany to lookout for is their assistant captain Julius Sumpf. Canadian junior hockey fans might be familiar with him as he is currently a member of the Moncton Wildcats. This is his second season in the QMJHL and he is above a point-per-game player. He is undrafted in the NHL, but a strong tournament might open some eyes for down the road. Germany has been outclassed thus far in the tournament, losing to Team USA and Finland so far. It doesn’t seem like they pose much risk to Canada overall.
What Powers Canada in the 2025 Tourney
For the Canadians, Brayden Yager has been skating well on the puck. It is time for the Canadian captain to turn all that momentum into goals and add some finish to his game. Also, Gavin McKenna is another great example. He has shown his explosiveness consistently, but it is time to start turning that into goals. The Canadians do have some offensive firepower, but only Easton Cowan among the forwards has more than a single point through two Canadian games. The group could collectively use some finish and start putting the foot on the accelerator.
Canada suffers “big blow” with loss of Matthew Schaefer for the rest of World Juniors https://t.co/OYLxVT02l2 pic.twitter.com/G7kfHKgcGG
— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) December 28, 2024
This brings us to the bad news for Canada. Matthew Schaefer is a great defenceman for Canada, and he’s only 17. The way he had been playing and almost leading the team’s charge from the backend was quite impressive. Yesterday it was announced he would miss the remainder of the tournament will a collarbone injury. Hopefully the team can use the Matthew Schaefer injury as a rallying cry.
Then there is the Canadian goaltending. Carter George had a shutout or Jack Ivankovic is only the second 17 year old to ever play goal for Canada after Jimmy Waite in 1987. Their numbers might not jump off the page, but make no mistake, they will provide Canada the clutch performances their might end up relying on as the tournament progresses.
WJC Predictions: Canada 8 – Germany 2.
Main Photo Credit: GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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