BEMIDJI — When the Sanford Center was named a preliminary site for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in April, Bemidji became one of four Minnesota locations to earn the honor.

Now, further information about the preliminary games has been revealed.

The Sanford Center will host Czechia, Latvia and Slovakia, with each team playing two games Dec. 19-23 before heading to the Twin Cities for the World Junior Championship on Dec. 26.

Czechia will play Latvia at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Latvia will then play Slovakia at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21. Slovakia and Czechia close out the exhibitions at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

The Sanford Center is selling single-game tickets only through Ticketmaster at $42.25, fees included. Other preliminary sites are offering ticket packages for t

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