Czech Triumphs Over Canada with Last-Minute Heroics to Secure Semifinal Spot at World Junior Championship

Results of the quarterfinal round

Czechia 4, Canada 3 — Adam Jecho (St. Louis Blues) netted a power-play goal at 19:20 of the third period, leading Czechia to victory at Canadian Tire Centre and securing a place in the semifinals for the second consecutive year.

A power play was granted to Czechia after Canada defenseman Andrew Gibson was penalized for kneeing at 17:33. Near the end of the power play, Adam Jiricek (St. Louis Blues) had his shot blocked by Ethan Gauthier (Tampa Bay Lightning), but the puck came back to him and he passed it to Jecho, who scored from the left face-off circle.

Petr Sikora (Washington Capitals), Jakub Stancl (Blues), and Eduard Sale (Seattle Kraken) also found the net for Czechia, which triumphed over Canada 3-2 in the quarterfinals during the 2024 WJC in Sweden. Michael Hrabal (Utah Hockey Club) achieved 29 saves.

“It’s something extraordinary, [winning] against Canada in Canada,” Sale expressed. “It truly is something exceptional for us. It was a challenging game, and Canada is an outstanding team. We played better in the first period, and in the second, they were dominating the puck, making it tough to defend. Our goalie played magnificently tonight, and the last penalty [on Canada] was crucial in the match.”

Czechia is set to face the United States in the semifinals on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).

Tanner Howe (Pittsburgh Penguins), Porter Martone (2025 NHL Draft eligible), and Bradly Nadeau (Carolina Hurricanes) scored for Canada. Carter George (Los Angeles Kings) made 22 saves.

Canada concluded the tournament with two goals at even strength in its last four games.

“We weren’t finding the back of the net, and scoring boosts your emotions,” Canada coach Dave Cameron mentioned. “… We were generating opportunities. Could you produce more? Absolutely. Analyzing the stats, 5-on-5, we created enough chances to win the games; they just didn’t convert. That’s the reality of tonight’s game.”

Sikora opened the scoring at 43 seconds into the first period by finishing a give-and-go with Vojtech Hradec (Utah), redirecting a return pass from Hradec under George’s pads. This was the first 5-on-5 goal conceded by Canada in five games.

Howe equalized 1-1 with a short-handed goal at 10:17. Brayden Yager (Winnipeg Jets) was halted during a breakaway but managed to backhand the rebound to Howe, who sent it past Hrabal.

Stancl put Czechia ahead 2-1 with a power-play goal at 12:45. His shot deflected off the glass behind the net, but it bounced back in front and went in off Canada defenseman Sam Dickinson’s (San Jose Sharks) glove.

Sale extended the lead to 3-1 at 19:57 when he scored during a rush following a pass from Matej Mastalirsky (2025 draft eligible).

Martone narrowed the gap to 3-2 at 17:40 of the second period by getting in front of the net and redirecting a shot by Tanner Molendyk (Nashville Predators).

Nadeau leveled the score at 3-3 at 15:42 of the third period, scoring from close range off the rebound of a shot by Luca Pinelli (Columbus Blue Jackets).

“We had a solid final five minutes of the second period and carried that momentum into the third,” Canada defenseman Oliver Bonk (Philadelphia Flyers) stated. “We equalized, but then that unfortunate call occurred. … It’s just difficult to receive a call like that and then have them score on the power play with only 30 seconds left. It’s tough when you had all the momentum.”

Sale, the captain of Czechia, mentioned that he ensured the team maintained a positive outlook after surrendering the lead.

“After conceding their third goal, the team felt a bit discouraged, but I reassured them, ‘Let’s keep pushing, we will have another opportunity,'” Sale remarked. “Following that, we obtained a power play and scored, making it a fantastic game.”

Canada forward Cole Beaudoin (Utah Hockey Club) received a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct at 9:03 of the first period.