The schedule for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship has been announced. Canada is in Group B alongside the United States, Russia, Germany and the Czech Republic. Group A includes the 2019 Champions Finland along with Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia and Kazakhstan.
On many occasions in the past, the United States and Canada have been scheduled to play on New Year's Eve. However, the last time they did play on that night was during the 2017 tournament. For the 2018 tournament, the two nations met at New Era Field in the first ever outdoor game for the tournament. Due to the scheduling logistics of playing outdoors, the game was played on December 29, 2017. The past two editions of the tournament have seen the United States in Canada play the Group Stage in separate groups, thus they did not play on New Year's Eve.
This year, the North American rivals are in the same group, but they will play on the first day of the tournament, Boxing Day. Canada then goes on to play Russia on December 28, Germany on December 30 and the Czech Republic on December 31.
The knockout rounds begin on January 2, after the tournament takes a one day break on New Year's Day. The tournament will conclude on January 5 with both the Bronze and Gold medal games taking place that day.
Full schedule (All times are EST):
Thursday, December 26
Russia vs Czech Republic - 9 am
Switzerland vs Kazakhstan - 9 am
United States vs Canada - 1 pm
Sweden vs Finland - 1 pm
Friday, December 27
Kazakhstan vs Slovakia - 9 am
United States vs Germany - 1 pm
Saturday, December 28
Slovakia vs Finland - 9 am
Czech Republic vs Germany - 9 am
Canada vs Russia - 1 pm
Switzerland vs Sweden - 1 pm
Sunday, December 29
Finland vs Kazakhstan - 9 am
Russia vs United States - 1 pm
Monday, December 30
Canada vs Germany - 9 am
Kazakhstan vs Sweden - 9 am
Czech Republic vs United States - 1 pm
Slovakia vs Switzerland - 1 pm
Tuesday, December 31
Slovakia vs Sweden - 9 am
Russia vs Germany - 9 am
Czech Republic vs Canada - 1 pm
Finland vs Switzerland - 1 pm
Thursday, January 2
Relegation Game 1 - 4 am
Quarterfinal 1 - 6:30 am
Quarterfinal 2 - 9 am
Quarterfinal 3 - 11:30 am
Quarterfinal 4 - 2 pm
Saturday, January 4
Relegation Game 2 - 5 am
Semifinal 1 - 9 am
Semifinal 2 - 1 pm
Sunday, January 5
Relegation Game 3 (if needed) - 5 am
Bronze Medal Game - 9 am
Gold Medal Game - 1 pm
Source: NHL.com
