Day 2 Highlights: 2026 World Junior Championship Action

Day 2 of the 2026 World Junior Championship features an exciting matchup between Latvia and Canada. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. ET at 3M Arena, with live coverage available on TSN. Canada enters the game with a record of 1-0-0, following a thrilling 7-5 victory over Czechia.

Canada’s Strong Start

Canada aims to maintain its undefeated status after overcoming Czechia, a team that eliminated them in the quarterfinals of the previous two tournaments. The Canadian lineup, particularly the trio of Michael Hage of the Montreal Canadiens, Brady Martin of the Nashville Predators, and Gavin McKenna, is garnering attention. They combined for an impressive seven points during the last match, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

• Michael Hage: Center
• Brady Martin: Right Wing
• Gavin McKenna: Projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft

Defenseman Zayne Parekh of the Calgary Flames contributed significantly, scoring two goals and logging 22:27 of ice time. Ethan MacKenzie, also eligible for the 2026 draft, added a goal and two assists, further solidifying Canada’s offensive depth.

Latvia’s Ambition

Latvia enters the preliminary round with a record of 0-0-0. The team hopes to replicate its past success, having reached the quarterfinals in 2022, 2024, and 2025. In a surprising turn during the 2025 championship, Latvia managed to defeat Canada in a dramatic eight-round shootout.

The team nearly upset Sweden in the quarterfinals that same year, losing narrowly with a final score of 3-2. Eyes will be on Alberts Smits, a highly-rated 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenseman who is a prime candidate for the 2026 draft. Smits could join the ranks of Latvia’s previous first-round picks, Zemgus Girgensons and Viktor Tikhonov.

Key Player to Watch

• Alberts Smits: Expected to be a top pick in the 2026 draft

As the game unfolds, fans will watch closely to see if Latvia can upset another favorite and how Canada responds to the challenge. Day 2 promises to deliver thrilling hockey action at the 2026 World Junior Championship.