Big goals, national pride and daily bragging rights. The Buzzle is sponsoring World Junior coverage so you can stay locked into every moment on and off the ice.
Canada will play for bronze at the IIHF World Junior Championship after a late goal by Czechia ended another painful semifinal run for the Canada.
It is the third straight year the tournament has slipped away at the hands of the same opponent.
In a chaotic, back-and-forth semifinal Sunday night, Czechia scored with just over a minute remaining before sealing the game with an empty-netter to claim a 6–4 win, once again dashing Canada’s gold medal hopes.
The loss comes nine days after Canada and Czechia opened preliminary-round play in a wild Boxing Day matchup that Canada won 7–5. This time, with a spot in the gold medal game on the line, the result was far more cruel for the Canadians.
Canada opened the scoring on the power play midway through the first period when Tij Iginla finished a net-front play created by Jett Luchanko and Michael Misa. Czechia responded minutes later, catching Canada in transition as Max Curran slipped the puck past Ivankovic to tie the game 1–1 heading into the first intermission.
The second period swung in Czechia’s favour. Adam Titlbach put the Czechs ahead 2–1 after Ivankovic lost his stick in front, while Canada struggled to capitalize on multiple power-play chances, including extended five-on-three time.
Canada finally broke through late in the period when Zayne Parekh’s point shot deflected through traffic and beat Czech goaltender Michal Orsulak, evening the score at 2–2.
The third period delivered the drama expected from a World Juniors semifinal. Czechia reclaimed the lead early, but Canadian forward Cole Reschny, a former Victoria Royals standout, answered by driving off the goal line and tucking the puck under Orsulak’s pad to make it 3–3.
Adam Cihar restored the Czech lead midway through the period with a precise bar-down finish, but Canada pushed back once more.
With just over two minutes remaining, Porter Martone jammed home a loose puck in front to tie the game 4–4.
That momentum did not last long.
With 1:14 remaining, Czechia forced the puck through traffic at the top of the crease. After a brief review, the goal stood, putting the Czechs back in front. An empty-net goal in the final seconds sealed the result.
Canada will now turn its focus to the bronze medal game on Monday against Finland, while Czechia advances to play for gold against Sweden.