Russia pummeled Canada 6-0 in the group stage on Dec. 28 for Canada's worst-ever IIHF World Junior Championship loss. On Jan. 5, Dale Hunter's squad has a chance to play against the Russians again — this time in the gold medal game. It doesn't get any better than this.
That shutout loss was about as low as Canada's tournament could possibly get — it left the Canadians temporarily without star forward Alexis Lafreniere, forced them to swap starting goaltenders midway through group play, forward Joe Veleno was suspended one game for headbutting Russian skater Danil Mysul and team captain Barrett Hayton ruffled the opposition's feathers when he didn't remove his helmet during the Russian national anthem, as is customary at IIHF events.
What a difference one week makes; Lafreniere is back, the Canadians earned entry into the gold medal game by way of their own dominating 5-0 win against Finland and Hayton (five goals, four assists) is the tournament's third-highest scorer (although his status for Sunday is up in the air).
WJC SEMIFINAL GAMES: Russia defeats Sweden in OT | Canada shuts down Finland
Russia won against Sweden 5-4 in overtime on Saturday to play its way into the gold medal game. The Russians now have their own decision to make at goaltender, though — star prospect Yaroslav Askarov was pulled from Saturday's game after allowing four goals, giving way for Amir Miftakhov to play the rest of the way. Miftakhov was in the net during that shutout win over Canada, too — he made 28 saves in that game.
Should Miftakhov start on Sunday in the Czech Republic, the Russians will go into the final with full confidence that they can win the gold medal over an opponent they've already beaten. Lafreniere, Hayton and goaltender Joel Hofer will surely think they can do the same in a rematch.
Here is how to catch the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal game between Canada and Russia on Sunday:
How to watch Russia vs. Canada
- TV channel (Canada): TSN
- Live stream: TSN Live
- TV channel (USA): NHL Network
Russia vs. Canada: When is puck drop?
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 5
- Puck drop: 1 p.m. ET
Full World Junior Championship schedule
| SATURDAY, JAN. 4 | ||
| Kazahkstan 4 , Germany 1 | 5 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| SF: Sweden 4, Russia 5 (OT) | 9 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| SF: Canada 5 , Finland 0 | 1 p.m. | TSN 1/4/5, NHLN |
| SUNDAY, JAN. 5 | ||
| Relegation: Kazahkstan vs. Germany | 5 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Bronze: Sweden vs. Finland | 9 a.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Gold: Canada vs. Russia | 1 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
(All times Eastern)