DAY 2: POLETIN AND CZECHIA DEFEAT DENMARK 7-2
In a commanding display of skill and teamwork, Tomas Poletin and Team Czechia turned the heat up in their second game of the preliminary rounds at the 2026 World Juniors, overwhelming Denmark with a decisive 7-2 victory. This win not only highlights Czechia’s offensive might but also underlines the development of young talents on the international stage.
18-year-old Tomas Poletin, drafted by the New York Islanders in the fourth round (106th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, showcased his versatility and determination in this match. Over the course of 15:56 of ice time, Poletin fired three shots on goal and accumulated two penalty minutes, contributing significantly to the team’s dominant performance. His season started with a strong showing, as he previously scored twice in a spirited 7-5 loss to Team Canada, indicating his ability to find the back of the net even against tough competition.
With this latest victory, Team Czechia stands at 1-1-0 in the tournament, demonstrating potential for further success. Their next challenge is a matchup against Finland on Monday at 3:30 PM, where expectations will be high as they aim to build momentum in the early stages of the competition. Fans are eager to see how Poletin and his teammates will rise to the occasion against another formidable opponent.
DAY 2: EISERMAN, BEDNARIK AND TEAM USA BEATS SWITZERLAND 2-1
On the other side of the tournament, Cole Eiserman and Kamil Bednarik helped propel Team USA to a narrow 2-1 victory over Switzerland, marking their second consecutive win at the 2026 World Juniors. The match was a testament to the resilience and tenacity of a squad looking to make their mark on the international hockey scene.
Cole Eiserman, selected 20th overall by the Islanders in the 2024 draft, played a pivotal role in the game. Despite logging only 12:41 of ice time, he recorded two shots on goal and is quickly proving to be an asset for Team USA. His offensive contributions began with a goal during the team’s prior 6-3 victory over Germany, reflecting his growing confidence and skill level as the tournament progresses.
Kamil Bednarik, Eiserman’s teammate at Boston University, made his tournament debut after being a scratch in the previous game. This time, he showcased his capabilities by winning 7 out of 11 faceoffs and racked up 10:23 of ice time—a dedicated performance that showcased his readiness to compete on this prestigious stage. Bednarik, who was drafted in the second round (61st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, is quickly adapting to the international style of play, further enriching Team USA’s roster.
With a perfect record of 2-0-0 thus far, Team USA will face Slovakia next on Monday at 6 PM, aiming to keep their winning streak intact. The excitement around these young prospects and their budding careers is palpable, as fans eagerly anticipate their continued development in the tournament.