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The 2026 World Juniors have been exciting to start, with a great matchup on tap to finish out the preliminary-round games.

Canada and Finland are two of the top teams in Group B, but they haven’t played yet in the tournament. That will change on New Year’s Eve, when the two sides face off to help decide who will win the group heading into the quarterfinals.

The Canadian team entered this tournament looking to make it back to the semifinals after missing it in the past two tournaments, a rarity for the program. So far, Canada is off to a great start, but they have a difficult test in the final preliminary-round contest.

Finland began the tournament strong, with dominant wins over Denmark and Latvia by a combined score of 14-2. However, the Finnish team fell in their most recent game, as Czechia outlasted Finland 2-1 in overtime.

With the preliminary rounds coming to a close, Canada and Finland in first and second at the top of Group B, making the contest the potential decider in who will win the group before the quarterfinals begin.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from the 2026 World Juniors game between the Canada and Finland. Follow along for full updates.

STREAM: Watch Canada vs. Finland live with Fubo (free trial)

Canada vs. Finland score 123FCanada30  Finland30  Canada vs. Finland updates, highlights from 2026 World Juniors hockey game

9:48 p.m.: A penalty is called on Finland’s Max Westergard, giving Canada another power play opportunity.

9:44 p.m.: Finland has taken early control of this period, spending more time in Canada’s zone than in their own. However, Canada is starting to tilt the ice the other way.

9:39 p.m.: The second period is underway from this tie game in Minnesota.

End of first period: Canada 3, Finland 3

9:19 p.m.: The period ends with a flurry of pressure by Finland, but Canada keeps them off the board.

9:12 p.m.: Canada kills the penalty to keep the score tied at 3.

9:09 p.m.: Finland gets another power play thanks to Canada’s unsuccessful challenge on the previous goal.

Canada 3, Finland 3

9:06 p.m.: Finland cashes in on the power play as Lasse Boelius ties the game at 3. The play is reviewed for goalie interference but stands.

CANADA CHALLENGES FINLANDS THIRD GOAL FOR GOALIE INTERFERENCE BUT IT STANDS?🤔

ITS 3-3 AND ONLY IN THE FIRST PERIOD.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/1tghxnxjks

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026

9:05 p.m.: Finland will get its first power play tonight as Ethan MacKenzie is called for hooking.

Canada 3, Finland 2

9:02 p.m.: GOAL! It’s a power play goal for Brady Martin, who now has two on the night.

CANADA CHALLENGES FINLANDS THIRD GOAL FOR GOALIE INTERFERENCE BUT IT STANDS?🤔

ITS 3-3 AND ONLY IN THE FIRST PERIOD.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/1tghxnxjks

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026

9:00 p.m.: The game has settled a bit, as we head to a break, with both teams finding their footing. However, a Finland penalty will send Canada to the power play.

Canada 2, Finland 2

8:51 p.m.: GOAL! Back-and-forth we go as Oliver Suvanto ties the game for Finland. There have been four goals on five shots in this contest.

FINLAND TIES IT RIGHT BACK UP! THIS GAME IS BACK AND FORTH! 🤯#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/DGr0G2hYUg

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026Canada 2, Finland 1

8:49 p.m.: GOAL! The scoring keeps coming in the first period as Brady Martin buries one to re-take the lead.

CANADA MAKE IT A 2-1 GAME!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8GsrisSYuw

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026Canada 1, Finland 1

8:48 p.m.: GOAL! Finland strikes back to tie the game at one thanks to a goal by Julius Mettinen.

FINLAND GETS A BEAUTY FROM THEIR CAPTAIN TO TIE THINGS UP AT ONE A PIECE!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/6Eu0gHgSXD

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026Canada 1, Finland 0

8:42 p.m.: GOAL! Zayne Parekh wastes no time as he continues his strong tournament with another goal.

JUST OVER A MINUTE IN ZAYNE PAREKH GIVES CANADA THE LEAD! 🔥#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/a02klEi9Mm

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2026

8:40 p.m.: We are underway from Minneapolis to decide who wins Group B!

8:33 p.m.: We are moments away from puck drop in Minnesota.

8:08 p.m.: Finland hasn’t beaten Canada in its last six attempts, with the last win coming in January of 2019.

7:45 p.m.: Here’s a look at the lines for tonight’s game.

Canada and Finland’s New Year’s Eve lines.

No. 1 D Aron Kiviharju out for the Finns. Canada sticking with the same lines they had against Denmark.

Winner takes the group and gets Slovakia in the quarters. pic.twitter.com/p72MfMDd8U

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) January 1, 2026

7:13 p.m.: Czechia is done with the prelimanary rounds with eight points, so the winner of Canada-Finland will be the Group B winner.

Where to watch Canada vs. FinlandCanada vs. Finland start timeDate: Wednesday, Dec. 31Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Canada and Finland will close out the World Juniors preliminary-round games on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The game will take place in 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Canada vs. Finland TV ChannelTV channels: TSN (Canada) | NHL Network (U.S.)Live stream: TSN app (Canada) | Fubo (U.S.)

Canada vs. Finland will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and NHL Network in the United States. Additionally, the game can be live-streamed using the TSN App or Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

2026 World Juniors scheduleFriday, Dec. 26MatchupSweden 3, Slovakia 2Finland 6, Denmark 2United States 6, Germany 3Canada 7, Czechia 5Saturday, Dec. 27MatchupSlovakia 4, Germany 1Canada 2, Latvia 1 (OT)United States 2, Switzerland 1Czechia 7, Denmark 2Sunday, Dec. 28MatchupSweden 4, Switzerland 2Finland 8, Latvia 0Monday, Dec. 29MatchupGermany 8, Sweden 1Czechia 2, Finland 1 (OT)United States 6, Slovakia 5Canada 9, Denmark 1Tuesday, Dec. 30MatchupSwitzerland 4, Germany 0Latvia 6, Denmark 3Wednesday, Dec. 31MatchupTime (ET)Switzerland vs. Slovakia1:00 p.m.Czechia vs. Latvia3:30 p.m.United States vs. Sweden6:00 p.m.Canada vs. Finland8:30 p.m.Friday, Jan. 2 (Playoffs: Quarterfinals & Relegation)MatchupTime (ET)Relegation Game (5th A vs. 5th B)12:30 p.m.Quarterfinal 12:00 p.m.Quarterfinal 24:30 p.m.Quarterfinal 36:00 p.m.Quarterfinal 48:30 p.m.Sunday, Jan. 4 MatchupTime (ET)Semifinal 14:30 p.m.Semifinal 28:30 p.m.Monday, Jan. 5 MatchupTime (ET)Bronze Medal Game4:30 p.m.Gold Medal Game8:30 p.m.