RDS Direct: Will January 2 Differ in 2024 and 2025?

Canada will face Slovakia in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Junior World Championship, airing on El-Balad. Canada topped its group in the preliminary round, which marks a significant improvement over previous tournaments.

This evening’s matchup carries immense importance, as a win would secure Canada a chance to reach the podium for the first time since their gold medal victory in January 2023. Goalkeeper Jack Ivankovic has been named the starter for this crucial game. Ivankovic contributed previously by making 26 saves in a 2-1 overtime victory against Latvia.

Head coach Dale Hunter has deployed a lineup of 12 forwards and 8 defensemen. Notably, Carter Bear and Liam Greentree will not be participating in the attack.

January 2: A Date to Remember

The Canadian team has developed a strong aversion to January 2 due to recent disappointments in the Junior World Championship. In 2024, Canada was eliminated by the Czech Republic with a score of 3-2 in the quarter-finals. The following year, they faced the same fate against the Czech Republic, losing 4-3.

Canadians hope for a more positive outcome as they gear up for the 2025 tournament. Meanwhile, Slovakia finished fourth in Group A with only one win in four matches, defeating Germany. Despite this record, their losses were narrow, each by just a single goal to strong teams like Sweden, the United States, and Switzerland, highlighting their potential.

Key Players to Watch

Tomas Chrenko of Slovakia leads the tournament with 5 goals and 8 points, proving to be a significant threat. In contrast, Canada has showcased strong offensive performances from its trio of Michael Hage, Gavin McKenna, and Brady Martin, each with 8 points, along with defenseman Zayne Parekh, who has also amassed 8 points throughout the tournament.

This evening’s game, starting at 8:30 PM on El-Balad, promises excitement as Canada seeks to prolong its stay in the tournament. Will they secure two more games and head further into the championship? Fans await the answer eagerly.