Canada defeated the Czechs in Overtime to take 1st place in Group A at the World Championships. Tuesday’s group-stage finale at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship leaves Canada with 19 points. Czechia, with 16 points, is now in second place, but could finish third if Switzerland defeats Finland. The inclusion of David Pastrnak, the exceptional winger, into the roster was marred by Canada’s triumph, as his team, the Boston Bruins, were ousted by the Florida Panthers in the second round. Despite this setback, Pastrnak’s remarkable performance of securing 110 points or more in two consecutive NHL seasons remained undiminished. He joined his Boston Bruin Homeboy, Pavel Zacha, on the top line alongside Roman Cervenka, the Czech captain and top goal-getter.
The Czechs outshot the Canadians 10-7 in the first period.
Second period shots were tied at 5 each
Dylan Cozens scored on the Power Play with a wrister from the high circles with the assist on the goal going to Owen Power and Nick Paul at 1:01 of the third period to make it a 1-0 game for the Canadians. The Opus Life Is Life song is getting very old. They played that song at the U18’s too. They need to get a new play list.
Dominic Kubilak of the Ottawa Senators ties the game up for the Czechs on the Power Play at 9:11 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Martin Necas and Lukas Sediak.
Dawson Mercer then roofs it backhand to make it 2-1 Canada from Damon Severson at 11:01.
Brandon Hagel makes it a 3-1 game at 15:42 of the third period with the assist on the goal going to John Tavares.
Ondrej Palat scores on the Power Play to get the Czechs within one. It was actually a 6 on 4 as they pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. With the assists on the goal going to David Spacek and Roman Cervenka.
Roman Cervenka ties the game for the Czechs with 1:34 remaining in the game from Martin Necas and David Spacek. Cervenka played in 39 games with the Calgary Flames in the 2012-13 season.
Tie game after regulation so it is going into overtime. Canada will finish in first place though no matter what as the Czechs needed a regulation win to get first place. Shots in the third period were 11-6 for Canada.
Dylan Cozens scores the overtime winner shorthanded 3:13 into overtime to win the game for Canada. Cozens now leads these Worlds with eight goals and has thrust himself firmly into the MVP conversation.
Shots on goal in the overtime were 3-1 for Canada
Jordan Binnington made 19 saves on the 22 shots that he faced for the win for the Canadians. For the Czechs Lukas Dostal made 22 saves on the 26 shots that he faced.
Canada’s Player of the game was Colton Parayko. For the Czechs Martin Necas was the player of game.
Connor Bedard only got 8 minutes of icetime in the game and none in overtime. Not certain if something is wrong or he its just a normal slump. He has been silent the last 3 games after starting the tournament off really strong. I just looks bad as the harder the competition got the less noticeable he became. Also keep in mind he still does not turn 19 until July 17th. By law the kid still can’t walk down the street in BC and buy a 649 ticket. Not that he needs to.
Canada’s next game is the Quarterfinals on Thursday
Tournament Standings Prior to today’s games.(May 20th, 2024)
