The 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship presents an exciting rivalry between Czechia and Slovakia, two nations once united under Czechoslovakia. This game, set to take place at 5:00 p.m. EST at the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, is more than a hockey match—it’s a clash of former allies turned competitive adversaries. With the game televised on TSN (Canada), NHL Network (USA), CT Sport (Czechia), JOJ Play (Slovakia), and other regional channels, fans from across the globe will be tuning in.
Game Details
- Matchup: Czech Republic vs Slovakia
- Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
- TV Coverage: NHL Network (USA), TSN4 (Canada), Max (Finland), TV10 (Sweden), TV5 (Finland), Viaplay (Sweden), XSport (Ukraine)
- Live stream: Watch here
Since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and their split into separate national teams in 1994, Czechia and Slovakia have carved out distinct hockey legacies. Czechia has secured five medals in this tournament, including a silver and bronze in the past two years. Slovakia, on the other hand, has only two bronze medals to its name but is striving to elevate its status in the junior hockey world. Players like Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 NHL Entry Draft’s first overall pick, symbolize Slovakia’s resurgence.
Czechia, however, remains a formidable force, building on recent successes and high expectations. Their strong performances in this year’s tournament—outscoring Kazakhstan and Switzerland by a combined 19-3—underscore their dominance.
Key Players to Watch
The game promises an intriguing matchup between two St. Louis Blues prospects: Slovak captain Dalibor Dvorsky and Czech defender Adam Jiricek. Dvorsky, with a goal and an assist in the tournament, leads Slovakia’s offense, while Jiricek anchors Czechia’s defensive unit.
Slovakia’s Daniel Jencko, who scored the game-winner against Switzerland, will also be a crucial player. Generating offense against Czechia’s goalies, particularly Michael Hrabal, will be a daunting task. Hrabal, an Arizona Coyotes prospect and NCAA standout with a .917 save percentage this season, exemplifies Czechia’s strength in net.
Team Momentum
Czechia enters the game with a team save percentage of .932, second-best in the tournament. Their recent victories against Kazakhstan (14-2) and Switzerland (5-1) highlight their offensive firepower and defensive solidity. Slovakia, meanwhile, comes off a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Switzerland after a tough opening loss to Sweden (5-2). They’ll need to channel this momentum to compete with Czechia’s elite squad.
Predictions
Given their current form, Czechia appears to have the edge in this contest. Their balanced roster, strong goaltending, and recent performances suggest a 4-2 victory over Slovakia. However, Slovakia’s determination and young talent could make this a closer game than anticipated.
Looking Ahead
As Czechia and Slovakia battle for supremacy, fans are also gearing up for another marquee matchup: Germany vs. Canada. While it may lack the rivalry’s intensity, any game featuring Canada in the World Juniors is bound to captivate audiences.
Recent Performances
Czechia U20:
- Dec 29, 2024: Win vs. Kazakhstan (14-2)
- Dec 27, 2024: Win vs. Switzerland (5-1)
- Dec 24, 2024: Loss vs. Canada (2-3)
Slovakia U20:
- Dec 28, 2024: Win vs. Switzerland (2-1)
- Dec 26, 2024: Loss vs. Sweden (2-5)
- Dec 22, 2024: Loss vs. USA (2-6)
Head-to-Head:
- Nov 7, 2024: Czechia 4-5 Slovakia
- Aug 28, 2024: Czechia 3-1 Slovakia
- Apr 17, 2024: Czechia 7-2 Slovakia
As the puck drops at TD Place Arena, the stage is set for an enthralling contest that will showcase the best of international junior hockey and the enduring rivalry between Czechia and Slovakia.
