All four games feature four different Chicago Blackhawks prospects in Day 6 of the World Junior Championship.
Radovan Bondra (SVK) Gustav Forsling (SWE) and Nick Schmaltz (USA) each scored a goal Wednesday. Schmaltz also added an assist. Joni Tuulola (FIN) has yet to find the scoresheet.
The schedule begins with Bondra and Slovakia against Russia. Slovakia is fourth in Group B with just one win. They’re coming off a 8-3 drumming by host Finland. Russia leads the group with three wins, including a 2-1 shootout win over Czech Republic in its opener.
Schmaltz and Team USA look to build off their 10-1 rout of Switzerland against Denmark (1-0-0-2). The Americans are second in Group A with six points, while the Danes are in fourth place just two points shy of third-place Canada. Brandon Halverson should get the start in net after shutting out the Swiss in the final 32 minutes. A win locks the Americans into second place behind Sweden.
The tournament shifts back to Group B with Tuulola and host Finland against Czech Republic. The Czechs kept Belarus winless with a 5-3 victory Wednesday. Finland has scored at least six goals in all three games.
The preliminary round wraps up with Forsling and the Group A winner Sweden against Canada. Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start for the second straight game as Canada aims for third place in the group. A win for Sweden will give them an undefeated preliminary round.
Schedule
| Matchup | Time | TV | Venue |
| Russia vs. Slovakia | 6 a.m. | TSN2 and RDS2 in Canada | Hartwall Arena |
| Denmark vs. United States | 8 a.m. | NHLN-US, TSN and RDS in Canada | Helsinki Ice Hall |
| Finland vs. Czech Republic | 10 a.m. | TSN2 and RDS2 in Canada | Hartwall Arena |
| Canada vs. Sweden | Noon | NHLN-US (tape delay at 2:30 p.m.), TSN and RDS in Canada | Helsinki Ice Hall |
*All times are central