The two teams that lost in the 2021 IIHF World Junior semifinals will now have to regroup or leave empty-handed.
Russia was handed a lopsided 5-0 loss by Canada before Finland fought to tie its semifinal game with the Americans before being shocked with 76 seconds left in regulation. They'll now meet in the bronze-medal game before Canada and the United States play for gold.
"It's gonna be tough for sure," Finnish head coach Antti Pennanen said after his team's loss to the U.S. "But, of course, it's our last game. So I hope we bring the team effort tomorrow."
MORE: How Canada and the U.S. match up for gold-medal game
"It's been a really awesome trip with these guys to be here in the bubble," said Kasper Puutio, who had two assists in the semifinal matchup. "We still want to get a medal and be proud of this team. So we're still definitely going to be giving the best that we have tomorrow and trying to get the bronze medal."
Finland brings a never-say-die attitude to the game, as it not only came back against the Americans to tie things up but also beat Sweden in the quarterfinals on a goal with 25 seconds left to cap off three unanswered goals. With a solid defensive core that gets things done on both ends of the ice and a potent power play, Finland will be a tough opponent for Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov's squad.
The Russians don't have much scoring depth beyond their top-6 and will be looking for a much better performance out of their netminder. Yaroslav Askarov allowed four goals on 34 shots to the Canadians and seemed to have trouble holding onto his stick for much of the first period.
Here is how to catch the 2021 IIHF World Juniors bronze-medal game between Finland and Russia
How to watch Finland vs. Russia
- TV channel (Canada): TSN
- Live stream (Canada): TSN Live
- TV channel (USA): NHL Network
Finland vs. Russia: When is puck drop?
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 5
- Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
World Juniors 2021: Latest news
Tournament
- Time, TV channel, live stream, where, when, schedule
- How has COVID-19 impacted the tournament?
- Rosters, NHL draft status, jersey numbers for all 10 teams
- Breakdown of every NHL teams' prospects
- Predictions: Hockey experts pick who will win gold
- It's gold or bust': NHL players look back on World Junior Championship memories
- A team-by-team guide to the under-20 championship
- Dach, Caufield and the top four storylines
- Oilers' Philip Broberg impresses with three assists for Sweden
- Senators' Tim Stuetzle scores two goals in Germany's overtime win
- Predictions, odds, X-factors, breakdowns for quarterfinal matchups
- Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen sends Finland to semis with late goal
USA
- Scores, schedule, how to watch every USA Hockey game
- NHL Network's Dave Starman on Canada, the U.S. and why Cole Caufield will steal the show
- Americans mount comeback but fall in opener to rival Russia
- USA bounces back with dominating 11-0 win
- Americans erupt for seven goals, guarantee QF spot at World Juniors
- Americans take top spot in Group B with shutout win
- USA gets a scare but hold on for semifinal berth
- Arthur Kaliyev's goal with 76 seconds left lifts US to gold-medal showdown with Canada
Canada
- Which players are on Canada's final roster?
- Canada favorite to win second straight gold medal
- Kirby Dach out of tournament with wrist injury
- Scores, schedule, how to watch every Hockey Canada game
- Canada opens WJC with 16-2 blowout of Germany
- Braden Schneider handed one-game suspension
- Birthday boy Devon Levi, Canadians hold on to beat Slovakia
- Six points by Quinton Byfield powers Canadians to 10-0 win
- Canadians claim top spot in Group A with wire-to-wire win
- Alex Newhook, Devon Levi have Canada going for gold
Which teams are in the 2021 World Junior Championship?
Ten teams, divided into two groups of five, are participating.
| Group A | Group B |
| Canada | Russia |
| Finland | Sweden |
| Switzerland | USA |
| Slovakia | Czech Republic |
| Germany | Austria |
Full schedule for the 2021 World Junior Championship
(All times Eastern)
| TUESDAY, JAN. 5 | ||
| Bronze-medal game | 5:30 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
| Gold-medal game | 9:30 p.m. | TSN, NHLN |
Who has won the IIHF World Junior Championships in the past 10 years?
| Year | Winner | Host country |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Canada | Czech Republic |
| 2019 | Finland | Canada |
| 2018 | Canada | United States |
| 2017 | United States | Canada |
| 2016 | Finland | Finland |
| 2015 | Canada | Canada |
| 2014 | Finland | Sweden |
| 2013 | United States | Russia |
| 2012 | Sweden | Canada |
| 2011 | Russia | United States |
Which countries have won the most medals at the World Junior Championship?
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| Canada | 18 | 9 | 5 | 32 |
| Russia* | 13 | 13 | 11 | 37 |
| Finland | 5 | 4 | 6 | 15 |
| United States | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Sweden | 2 | 11 | 6 | 19 |
| Czech Republic+ | 2 | 5 | 7 | 14 |
| Slovakia | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
* Includes medals won as the Soviet Union and CIS
+ Includes medals won as Czechoslovakia