The commencement of the 2024 World Juniors in Gothenburg, Sweden, marks a significant moment. This annual IIHF tournament serves as a platform for the premier U20 prospects globally, showcasing their talents on what is undoubtedly the grandest stage of their nascent playing careers. Moreover, it presents an occasion to secure a coveted gold medal for their respective homelands.
The participating clubs navigate the group stage, divided into two sets of five teams, engaging in a quartet of round-robin contests. This phase sets the stage for the top eight teams to progress to the knockout stage. From heart-stopping overtime duels to unexpected upsets, the preliminary round consistently delivers, and the 2024 iteration promises to maintain this thrilling trend.
Following a complete roster of games on Tuesday, an additional four matchups await on Wednesday. Switzerland and Germany step into the 2024 arena against Slovakia and Finland, respectively, while Norway faces Czechia, and Canada confronts Latvia.
The Sporting News provides the comprehensive schedule for today’s World Juniors fixtures, alongside the latest results:
Latest Scores and Results
After a jam-packed Tuesday schedule, the results are in:
World Juniors Scores (Tuesday, Dec. 26)
- Slovakia 6, Czechia 2 (FINAL)
- Canada 5, Finland 2 (FINAL)
- USA 4, Norway 1 (FINAL)
- Sweden 6, Latvia 0 (FINAL)
World Juniors Scores (Wednesday, Dec. 27)
- Slovakia 3, Switzerland 0 (FINAL)
- Germany 4, Finland 3 (FINAL)
- Czechia 8, Norway 0 (FINAL)
- Canada 10, Latvia 0 (FINAL)
The Race for Gold
As the tournament unfolds, the favorites for the gold medal emerge. According to oddsmakers, the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland lead the pack. Here’s a glimpse of the odds before the tournament began:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| USA | +200 |
| Canada | +250 |
| Sweden | +275 |
| Finland | +550 |
| Czechia | +1500 |
| Slovakia | +5000 |
| Switzerland | +6600 |
| Germany | +10000 |
| Latvia | +30000 |
| Norway | +50000 |
Current Standings
Group A
| Team | Games | Wins | OT Wins | OT Losses | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Canada | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Latvia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Finland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Group B
| Team | Games | Wins | OT Wins | OT Losses | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slovakia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Norway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Czechia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Teams navigate a round-robin format in the preliminary stage, accruing points for wins and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Road to the Finals
The top four teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, setting the stage for intense matchups: 1A vs. 4B, 1B vs. 4A, 2A vs. 3B, and 2B vs. 3A. Semifinal winners will vie for the gold, while the defeated teams compete for bronze.
Upcoming Schedule
Here’s a glimpse of the upcoming schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 28
- Switzerland vs. USA – 11 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Germany vs. Sweden – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
Friday, Dec. 29
- Norway vs. Slovakia – 6 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Latvia vs. Finland – 8:30 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Czechia vs. USA – 11 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Canada vs. Sweden – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
Saturday, Dec. 30
- Switzerland vs. Norway – 11 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Germany vs. Latvia – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
Sunday, Dec. 31
- USA vs. Slovakia – 6 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Sweden vs. Finland – 8:30 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Czechia vs. Switzerland – 11 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Canada vs. Germany – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
Tuesday, Jan. 2
- Quarterfinal – 6 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Quarterfinal – 8:30 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Quarterfinal – 11 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Quarterfinal – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
Thursday, Jan. 4
- Relegation Game – 5 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Semifinal – 9 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Semifinal – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
Friday, Jan. 5
- Bronze Medal Game – 9 a.m. – TSN/NHL Network
- Gold Medal Game – 1:30 p.m. – TSN/NHL Network
READ ALSO: 2024 IIHF World Juniors: Team Canada’s Games Schedule
Where to Watch 2024 World Juniors Games in Canada and USA
- TV Channel (Canada): TSN
- Live Stream (Canada): TSN.ca, TSN app
- TV Channel (U.S.): NHL Network
- Live Stream (U.S.): Fubo
TSN and the NHL Network once again serve as the exclusive platforms for the 2024 World Juniors.
Canadian viewers can tune in to TSN or stream the games on TSN.ca or the TSN app. Meanwhile, the American audience can catch the live action on the NHL Network or stream it through Fubo, which offers a complimentary trial.