{"id":480841,"date":"2025-12-29T08:28:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T13:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=480841"},"modified":"2025-12-29T08:28:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T13:28:59","slug":"world-junior-championship-predictions-dec-29-czechia-vs-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/29\/world-junior-championship-predictions-dec-29-czechia-vs-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"World Junior Championship Predictions: Dec. 29 Czechia vs Finland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to<em>\u00a0Last Word On Hockey\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0editions of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships predictions. Throughout the tournament our team will break down key matchups, storylines and stats, then make a prediction on how the game will play out. You can also check out our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/23\/nhl-predictions-dec-23-montreal-canadiens-vs-boston-bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL editions<\/a>. For this edition, our featured game will take a look at a pivotal matchup for both Czechia and Finland.<\/p>\n<h2>World Junior Championship Predictions<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"1JTXGNwdQOhiuyIAqCva5A\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2253639274\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'1JTXGNwdQOhiuyIAqCva5A',sig:'1QkEi8Dc-ajw2VWfqmRPtUPdBkwkUATiNytHQb2mN2c=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2253639274',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Germany vs Sweden<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV<\/strong>: NHL Network<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong>\u00a0TSN<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Grand Casino Arena (St. Paul, Minn.)<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/news\/world-junior-championship-2026-schedule-results-television-tv\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">We open up<\/a> our World Junior Championship predictions with Sweden taking on Germany in a Group A game. Sweden topped a plucky Switzerland team for a 4-2 victory on Sunday. The Swedes are pretty much assured of a quarterfinal spot but would love to keep momentum going ahead of the Group A finale against the host United States.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/28\/nhl-predictions-pittsburgh-penguins-chicago-blackhawks\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> first-rounder Anton Frondell has three points so far this tournament, and top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Ivar Sternberg has also looked good in this event with three points. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/17\/nhl-predictions-dec-17-winnipeg-jets-vs-st-louis-blues\/\" target=\"_self\">St Louis Blues<\/a> goalie prospect Love Harenstam has looked solid in goal so far this tournament.<\/p>\n<p>Germany is trying to avoid the one-game relegation playoff, and it may come down to the final game against Switzerland. The Germans suffered a 4-1 defeat to Slovakia on Saturday. Germany does have that extra day of rest but will need to come out firing to get a point against Sweden.<\/p>\n<p>Boston College commit Dustin Wilhoft has played well so far with two goals and an assist so far. Spokane Chiefs goalie Linus Vielliard has kept the Germans in games and may get the call again.<\/p>\n<p>Germany does have some solid youngsters, but Sweden is on a mission ahead of its game against the United States.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Sweden wins 5-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"6W8itFfMQKd3xyiG4gwtjQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2253108177\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6W8itFfMQKd3xyiG4gwtjQ',sig:'sfKW-HGg5PkaWKuWxjdetSjaAFInbPg-x-BxF1lJQQI=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2253108177',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Finland vs Czechia<\/h3>\n<p>How to Watch:<\/p>\n<p><strong>US TV<\/strong>: NHL Network<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canada TV:<\/strong>\u00a0TSN<\/p>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong> 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong>\u00a03M Arena at Mariucci (Minneapolis)<\/p>\n<p>Our second and featured game of World Junior Championship predictions is a critical Group B game between Czechia and Finland. Both teams are jockeying with Canada for one of the top spots in the Group. Three points will go a long way to possibly avoiding the United States, Sweden, or Slovakia in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p>Czechia rebounded from a wild 7-5 loss to Canada by getting a 7-2 rout of Denmark in the second game of the tournament. Tomas Galvas is having a heck of a tournament as he&#8217;s tied for the tournament lead in points with five. Kelowna Rockets skated Vojtech Chiar also has two goals and four points.<\/p>\n<p>Finland blanked Latvia for an 8-0 victory on Sunday, which was one of the Finns best performances in recent tournaments. That game could be a statement that Finland is seeking the gold medal.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-predictions-december-27-chicago-blackhawks-dallas-stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a> first-rounder Emil Hemming netted a pair of goals in the victory and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/22\/prime-monday-night-hockey-vancouver-canucks-vs-philadelphia-flyers\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> selection Heikki Ruohonen posted three points. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/12\/27\/nhl-predictions-december-27th-anaheim-ducks-los-angeles-kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> pick Petteri Rimpinen only had to make seven saves to get the shutout.<\/p>\n<p>This could be the game of the tournament in the preliminary round. However, Finland has shown itself to be a contender.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Finland wins 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"yobo-arena-widgets-wrapper mt-8\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"Arena Widgets\">\n<div class=\"arena-comments-widget\" role=\"region\" data-site-slug=\"lwos\" data-enable-ads=\"true\" aria-label=\"Comments\" data-initialized=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ar82zL-ad-container\">\n<div class=\"ar82zL-ad-content\">\n<div id=\"arena-cs-revshare-slot-header\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"ar82zL-common-variables ar82zL-light-variables widget-main-container\">\n<div class=\"_container_5ous7_1 comments-container\">\n<div class=\"_header_tncs9_1 comments-header\">\n<div class=\"_title_tncs9_7 comments-title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"_titleContainer_tncs9_14 comments-title-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to\u00a0Last Word On Hockey\u2019s\u00a0editions of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships predictions. Throughout the tournament our team will break down key matchups, storylines and stats, then make a prediction on how the game will play out. You can also check out our\u00a0NHL editions. For this edition, our featured game will take a look at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":474274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5744,4547,304,4548,3462,309,4524],"tags":[5514,7091,5726,5725,1102],"class_list":["post-480841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-juniors","category-hockey","category-international-hockey","category-nhl","category-nhl-prospects","category-nhl-top-prospects","category-nhl-predictions","tag-iihf-world-juniors","tag-team-czechia","tag-team-finland","tag-team-germany","tag-team-sweden"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480841"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480841\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":480850,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480841\/revisions\/480850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/474274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}