From an LA Kings perspective, Saturday was a second straight big day of scheduled games before what will be a lull on Sunday. With six prospects at this year’s World Junior Championships — representing five different countries — all were in action except goalie Petteri Rimpinen, as Finland had the day off.

A pair of headlines coming out of Day 2 at the WJC center around Liam Greentree’s lack of playing time and an LA prospect receiving an illegal check to the head, so let’s get into it…

WJC: Day 2 Recap
Slovakia 4, Germany 1

This game was never really in doubt, as Slovakia jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period and added another goal to push the score to 3-0 after 40 minutes. It was also an important game for both sides, as the winner would be lined up nicely for a spot in the knockout round next Friday.

For those unfamiliar with the WJC format, essentially the 10 teams are split into two groups (Group A and B). Phase one of the tournament is a round robin format, where teams play all the other teams in their same group. Then, based upon standings, eight teams begin a one-and-done playoff format. We’ll have more on that later in the week, after additional games have been played.

Kings prospect Jan Chovan again was a minutes eater for Slovakia. After the 18-year-old winger led his team in TOI in their opening contest, he came back 24 hours later and had the second-most minutes played among forwards (18:08), and tied for the most shifts (22). He finished the game with one shot on goal (SOG).

Canada 2, Latvia 1 (OT)

An entire country collectively held their breath, as Canada found themselves in a scoreless game against one of the worst teams in the tournament after 20 minutes. There likely wasn’t much more comfort when they were up 1-0 after 55 minutes. Sure enough, a Gavin McKenna turnover with about two minutes remaining in regulation ended up as a Latvia goal. Tie game. Canada ended up winning in overtime, but that cost them in the standings, as the WJC uses international rules and the three-point system. Thus, Canada only earned two points in the standings.

Liam Greentree had one shift for 22 seconds, and that’s not a typo. Many have asked why Canada won’t play him more. The short answer is, that’s just the way they are sometimes. A decade ago, they didn’t even add Tyler Toffoli to their roster despite him destroying the OHL in goals and points. They tend to have specific players they like, and others they don’t — for whatever reason. Big picture, Greentree will be just fine. His talent will shine through in the OHL, AHL, and NHL. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like he’ll see the ice much this tournament. Jordan Spence had a similar experience a few years ago with Team Canada. It is what it is.

Finally, Carter George had the day off after starting in goal the day prior.

USA 2, Switzerland 1

Coming into action, this was the marquee game of the day. Every year, the Swiss seem to rise up and upset somebody, so the U.S. had to be careful in this one.

All the goal scoring came in the second period, with Team USA jumping out to a 1-0 lead. After the Swiss tied it 1-1 just past the midway point, the Americans quickly regained the advantage. Just two minutes later, Will Zellers made it 2-1 USA and they locked things down defensively the rest of the way. Switzerland had nine SOG total through 40 minutes, then put up eight SOG in the final frame of regulation. Nothing made it through and the game ended 2-1.

Kings prospect Brendan McMorrow — coming off being named Player of the Game one day earlier — played 10:48. He wasn’t on the ice for any of the goals, nor did he generate a shot on goal.

There was also a very scary situation early in this game, as Team USA’s top defenseman, Cole Hutson of Boston University, had to be stretchered off after taking a puck to the head. After being taken to the hospital for evaluation, he was released and later joined his teammates for dinner. Hutson is now listed as day-to-day. USA’s remaining game schedule is listed later in this article.

Cole Hutson had to be stretchered off the ice after taking a puck to the head vs. Switzerland. 🙏 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/JDEx3oECTB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2025

Great news from St. Paul:

Bob Motzko just told me that Cole Hutson has been discharged from the hospital and rejoined his teammates at Grand Casino Arena.

Hutson’s status for the rest of the tournament will be evaluated on Sunday.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 28, 2025

Czechia 7, Denmark 2

After nearly beating Canada one day earlier, Czechia returned to action on Saturday and put a beatdown on Denmark. Kings prospect Vojtech Cihar (second round, 2025) continues to be one of the best players in the tournament thus far, including scoring in his second straight game.

🚨THE TOP #WorldJuniors2026 PERFORMERS AFTER GAME DAY 2 🚨

FORWARDS
1) #2026NHLDraft 🇨🇿 Novotny
2) #ALLCAPS 🇨🇿 Sikora
3) #GoKingsGo 🇨🇿 Cihar
4) #Tusksup 🇨🇦 Iginla
5) #GoHabsGo 🇨🇦 Hage
6) #TheFutureIsTeal 🇨🇦 Misa
7) #Isles 🇨🇿 Poletin
8) #NHLBruins 🇺🇸 Hagens
9) #LetsGoPens 🇺🇸… https://t.co/wcyiC9Mh5r pic.twitter.com/tFDjFpoWQQ

— Ryan Ma 📊 (@RyanMaScouting) December 28, 2025

However, the other important note on Cihar was an illegal hit to the head he took during the first period. Thankfully, he was OK and returned to play a total of 19:02, among the top minutes by all Czechia forwards.

Denmark’s 🇩🇰 Jesper Olesen is ejected (5 and a game) for a check to the head of Czechia’s 🇨🇿 Vojtech Cihar (LAK). #WorldJuniors #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/Baw55QHicB

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) December 28, 2025

Later, in an interview translated from his native language, Cihar said — “It was a completely different game from the day before, we counted on that. Canada opened it up, and we played hockey with them. With the Danes, we had to fight our way through their trap in the middle zone.”

Regarding the hit, Cihar added — “I was just lifting my head and he put his hands up completely senselessly. Fortunately, nothing happened to me, I have to knock on wood… The Danes probably tried to provoke us somehow. Hits on me and Max Pšenička… I absolutely don’t understand what was going through their heads. They tried to be tough. Maybe they succeeded, but not in a completely fair way.”

WJC Standings

Upcoming WJC Schedule

All USA games (and nearly all other games, as well) will be televised by NHL Network.

December 28
Sweden vs. Switzerland, 11 a.m. Pacific
Finland vs. Latvia, 1:30 p.m.

December 29
Germany vs. Sweden, 10 a.m. Pacific
Finland vs. Czechia, 12:30 p.m.
Slovakia vs. USA, 3 p.m.
Canada vs. Denmark, 5:30 p.m.

December 30
Switzerland vs. Germany, 11 a.m. Pacific
Latvia vs. Denmark, 1:30 p.m.

December 31
Switzerland vs. Slovakia, 10 a.m. Pacific
Czechia vs. Latvia, 12:30 p.m.
USA vs. Sweden, 3 p.m.
Canada vs. Finland, 5:30 p.m.

January 2
Quarterfinal 1, 11 a.m. Pacific
Quarterfinal 2, 1:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal 3, 3 p.m.
Quarterfinal 4, 5:30 p.m.

January 4
Semifinal 1, 1:30 p.m. Pacific
Semifinal 2, 5:30 p.m.

January 5
Third-place game, 1:30 p.m. Pacific
Championship game, 4:30 p.m.

Photos via IIHF

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