### Canada Triumphs in Thrilling Opener Against Czechia at 2026 World Juniors On December 27, 2025, Canada kicked off the 2026 World Junior Championship with an exhilarating 7-5 victory over Czechia. This match marked a rematch of the previous two years' quarterfinals, and it lived up to the hype with a fast-paced, action-packed game. Zayne Parekh of the Calgary Flames stood out, scoring two goals despite battling illness, while Tij Iginla netted the go-ahead goal in the third period, helping Canada secure their first win in group play [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/canada_opens_2026_world_juniors_with_7_5_victory_over_czechia/s1_16448_43252467][https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/canada-outscores-czechia-7-5-in-world-juniors-opener]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Moments 1. **First Period Highlights** - Canada opened the scoring with Brady Martin's goal, assisted by Gavin McKenna, giving them a 1-0 lead. - Czechia quickly equalized through Tomas Poletin, who redirected a shot from Adam Benák past Canadian goalie Carter George. 2. **Second Period Developments** - Canada regained the lead with a goal from Michael Hage, but Czechia responded again, showcasing the back-and-forth nature of the game. 3. **Third Period Surge** - The final period saw Canada score four goals, including Tij Iginla's crucial go-ahead goal, sealing the victory. - Despite a late push from Czechia, Canada held on to their lead, demonstrating resilience and skill. ### Statistical Overview of the Match - **Final Score**: Canada 7, Czechia 5 - **Goals by Canada**: - Zayne Parekh: 2 goals - Brady Martin: 1 goal - Michael Hage: 1 goal - Tij Iginla: 1 goal - **Goals by Czechia**: - Tomas Poletin: 1 goal - Additional goals from other players contributing to the total of 5. - **Goalies**: - Carter George (Canada) and Michal Orsulak (Czechia) both had strong performances, especially in the first period [https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/canada-czechia-score-world-juniors-p26592][https://barrie360.com/cze-can-2026wjc-preliminary-recap]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Start for Canada **Canada's victory over Czechia sets a positive tone for their campaign in the 2026 World Junior Championship.** The game showcased their offensive depth and ability to respond under pressure, with key players like Zayne Parekh and Tij Iginla stepping up when it mattered most. 1. **Strong Offensive Performance**: Canada scored 7 goals, demonstrating their attacking prowess. 2. **Resilience in Defense**: Despite conceding 5 goals, the team managed to maintain composure and secure the win. 3. **Key Players**: Zayne Parekh's performance, despite illness, and Tij Iginla's crucial goal highlight the depth of talent on the Canadian roster. As they move forward in the tournament, Canada will look to build on this momentum and continue their pursuit of gold [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-canada-czechia-world-juniors-hockey][https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/wjc-recap-26-12-25].