Canada blows out Slovakia, will face Finland in semifinals

Canada is off to the semifinals at the 2020 world juniors after defeating Slovakia 6-1 on Thursday.

Canada got off to a rough start, as forward Nolan Foote was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a head hit 53 seconds into the contest. Slovakia was unable to convert on the power play and the Canadians took control from there, scoring once in the first period and adding four more goals in the second to put the game out of reach.

Alexis Lafreniere was productive in his return to the lineup after missing two games with a knee injury. The projected No. 1 pick in June's draft set up the opening goal, then added a tally of his own in the middle frame. Forwards Barrett Hayton and Dylan Cozens, along with defenseman Jamie Drysdale, each recorded two points in the victory as well.

Thursday's win improved Canada's record to 13-0-1 all-time versus Slovakia at the tournament.

Canada will now face Finland on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET, while Sweden meets Russia at 9 a.m. ET. Canada beat Finland 4-2 in a pre-tournament game Dec. 23.