Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
In a world of current uncertainties, it appears that two months from now we’ll be watching the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton.
By watching, I mean on TV, since unless we’re playing or somehow involved in the game operation, it’s doubtful that anyone will be permitted into the Rogers Place as a spectator.
The unique twist to this tournament is that it opens on Christmas Day with 3 games, including the United States facing Russia.
It’s the first time in 15 years that the opening matches coincide with Santa’s big day.
From a Team Canada standpoint, the National Juniors will commence play on Boxing Day when they face Germany.
Along with the Germans, Canada will have preliminary round games against Slovakia, Switzerland and Finland.
The playoff round begins on Saturday January 2nd with the quarterfinal matches followed by the semifinals two days later and then the Medal games go Tuesday January 5th
Last year in the Czech Republic, Canada won the Gold Medal in dramatic fashion holding on for a 4-3 win over Russia in the Championship Final.
Aidan Dudas of the Owen Sound Attack was a member of the Canadian Gold Medal team, making it three straight years that the Attack had a member of on the National team.
Barring the unexpected, that Owen Sound streak, which is impressive, will come to a halt this year and possibly the greater hope is that the Attack will actually be playing while the 2021 World Junior Tournament is conducted in Edmonton.
I’m Fred Wallace
2021 World Junior Hockey Tournament Schedule
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020
12:00 PM MST Slovakia vs Switzerland
4:00 PM MST Finland vs Germany
7:30 PM MST United States vs Russia
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020
12:00 PM MST Czech Republic vs Sweden
4:00 PM MST Canada vs Germany
7:30 PM MST Austria vs United States
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020
12:00 PM MST Switzerland vs Finland
4:00 PM MST Canada vs Slovakia
7:30 PM MST Russia vs Czech Republic
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020
4:00 PM MST Sweden vs Austria
7:30 PM MST Germany vs Slovakia
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020
12:00 PM MST Czech Republic vs United States
4:00 PM MST Switzerland vs Canada
7:30 PM MST Russia vs Austria
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020
12:00 PM MST Slovakia vs Finland
4:00 PM MST Germany vs Switzerland
7:30 PM MST Sweden vs Russia
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020
12:00 PM MST Austria vs Czech Republic
4:00 PM MST Finland vs Canada
7:30 PM MST United States vs Sweden
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021
10:00 AM MST Quarter Final
1:30 PM MST Quarter Final
5:00 PM MST Quarter Final
8:30 PM MST Quarter Final
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021
4:00 PM MST Semifinal
7:30 PM MST: Semifinal
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021
3:30 PM MST Bronze Medal Game
7:30 PM MST Gold Medal Game