World Juniors 2025: Semifinals Set After Exciting Quarters With Canada Losing Again

We’re down to the final four at the 2025 world juniors after an action-packed and, at times, dramatic quarterfinals.

We have the same four teams as last year in the semifinals, as Sweden, USA, Finland and Czechia are headed to the medal rounds. They will compete for international hockey supremacy at the U-20 level in Ottawa.

For a second-straight year, Team Canada has disappointed with an early exit, losing in the quarterfinals to the same Czech team that beat them last year.

Hockey Canada is sure to do some reflecting, but that is a story for another day. Four fantastic teams are moving on to the semifinals of the World Juniors.

Let’s first look back before checking out how the semifinals may shake out.

Quarterfinal Fun

Early in the day, the Swedes withstood the Latvians in a shockingly close affair.

After going up 3-0, the Latvians fought their way back in the second period on the back of two goals from Eriks Mateiko and a wildly impressive performance from goalie Linards Feldbergs, who stopped 47 of 50 shots in the game. Although they couldn’t tie the game, Feldbergs kept this game close, making the Swedes sweat out a one-goal lead right until the final whistle.

The performance by the Latvians should be commended. Coming into the tournament with just two wins all-time in the round-robin stage, they doubled that total with two big wins, including their upset over the Canadians. Feldbergs has been the tournament’s best netminder, and he may have earned himself a draft choice as a 19-year-old when the event takes place in June. Mateiko has been phenomenal, putting this team on his back offensively and showing the Washington Capitals they made a solid pick.

The Americans took down the Swiss in a game that went according to plan, going up 7-1 through two periods before parking the bus in the third period and securing a 7-2 win. Team USA’s top line of James Hagens, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard had seven points combined to lead the onslaught. There wasn’t much the Swiss could do as they were simply outmatched.

Related: World Juniors: BC Line Of Hagens, Leonard And Perreault Looking Historic For Team USA

The Finns escaped Slovakia despite being outplayed for long stretches of the game. The difference in the game was Petteri Rimpinen in net for the Finns. His ability to make desperation saves or pull pucks back off the goal line was what gave Finland the edge. Another solid performance from Jesse Kiiskinen up front and Daniel Nieminen on the back end led the way for the Finnish skaters.

Juraj Pekarcik was the Slovaks’ best offensive player, and Dalibor Dvorsky came up huge in the third period, scoring late to pull within one before Finland added an empty-netter. Slovakia went down swinging, outshooting the Finns 37-18. Slovakia likely deserved a better fate, but hockey is a game of bounces, and Finland got the bounces on this day.

Related: 2025 World Junior Championship: Full Roster List

It took just 43 seconds for Czechia to get on the board against Canada, and once the seed of doubt was sewed, the Canadians looked to be in disarray. They couldn’t get organized for more than a shift at a time.

Shortly after, Canada’s Cole Beaudoin was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a knee-on-knee hit that may have been a bit questionable, though Canada did score their only goal in the first half of the game on the penalty kill.

Canada’s self-inflicted mistakes led to goals and scoring chances for Czechia. Once again, Canada’s lack of discipline also played a part in the game, as they gave Czechia far too many chances to take advantage with the extra man.

Canada scored right at the end of the second period to pull within one on a beautiful deflection by Porter Martone on the power play. Canada also came out on fire to start the third period. Bradly Nadeau had a very strong final frame, and after breaking the puck out of his own zone, he followed the play up ice and crashed the net to tie the game at three with just over four minutes to play.

While Canadian fans and players were ecstatic, Andrew Gibson was called for kneeing with just over two minutes to go. With 39 seconds to go, Adam Jecho scored a one-timer to end the Canadians’ hope of getting to the medal rounds. Once again, Canada’s lack of discipline sends the team home early and without a medal.

Here are the semifinal previews.

Sweden vs. Finland

Jan. 4, 3:30 p.m.

The Swedes look to continue their undefeated run against Finland. The highly skilled Swedes have been impressive since the start of the tournament, led by tournament-leading scorer, defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka. The Detroit Red Wings’ top prospect led a loaded blueline that features Tom Willander, Theo Lindstein, and Rasmus Bergqvist.

Related: ‘Cool Guy’ Axel Sandin-Pellikka Leading Sweden From The Blueline — And Teasing His NHL Potential With Red Wings

Anton Wahlberg and Felix Unger-Sorum have consistently provided some offensive punch while setting the tone by playing a solid two-way game. A slight surprise for the Swedes is just how good Victor Eklund has been, proving why some think he should be in the conversation with the top names in the 2025 NHL draft with his incredible pace and persistence.

That said, all Finland needs for motivation is the chance to spoil their arch-rivals’ perfect tournament. They were lucky to come out of the quarters with a win, but the Finns have rarely been known for their sexy hockey. They play steady, efficient hockey, and they’ll need to do exactly that to beat Sweden. They will need Rimpinen to continue his stellar play in net, but more importantly, they will need someone to step up and be the hero offensively.

The rivalry between Sweden and Finland will make this match a must-watch. The contrasts in play style will be interesting to see. Sweden will be heavily favored, but in a matchup of these two teams, you can never count either side out.

Related: Czechia Rebuilt Its World Juniors Contender Status — And Developed A Rivalry With Canada

USA vs. Czechia

Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m.

The Americans had a blip against Finland in the group stage, but aside from that game, they’ve been dominant, attacking opposing teams in waves and showcasing the ability to play any style of hockey they need to.

The BC line centered by Hagens plays with skill and high-octane offensive pressure. Oliver Moore always brings speed and intelligent play. Danny Nelson has consistently found ways to produce offensively by outworking the opposing team.

On the blueline, Cole Hutson has been an offensive dynamo. Zeev Buium hasn’t quite been as good as he was expected to be, but he’s found ways to help defensively and in transition. Defensive support from Drew Fortescue, Adam Kleber and Logan Hensler have been key for the American blueline. Goaltender Trey Augustine hasn’t been his usual dominant self, but he seems to find his groove as the tournament continues.

Czechia has taken care of business at every turn, with their only blemish coming against Sweden in a game that decided first place in Group B.

The Czech squad took out Canada in the quarters for the second-straight year, sending Hockey Canada scrambling for answers. Czechia is hard on the puck and relentless in all three zones. They don’t give you much room to breathe, which has hampered almost every team they’ve played against.

Jakub Stancl and Eduard Sale have long been fixtures on the Czech national teams at the U-18 and U-20 levels over the last few years. They’ve been starring for the team this year, their final with the national junior team.

Sale has embodied this age group for the Czech squad, playing with a blend of physicality and skill they’ve needed to compete with the world’s top teams. Now, Czechia will have the chance to medal for a third-straight year, but they have to go up against the powerhouse Americans in the semifinal.

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Related: Six Biggest World Juniors Snubs: Will Canada, USA Regret Cutting Cristall, Misa And Musty?