In a highly anticipated World Juniors semifinal rematch loaded with history, Canada and Czechia delivered an explosive, back-and-forth battle that ended with Czechia earning a dramatic 6-4 victory and a spot in Monday’s gold-medal game against Sweden. The third period featured a wild five-goal rollercoaster, with Canada twice tying the score only for Czechia to immediately respond, before a late netfront scramble gave the Czechs the go-ahead goal with 1:14 remaining. For Canada, the loss marked a third consecutive elimination at the hands of Czechia—following quarterfinal exits the previous two years—serving as cold revenge after Canada’s 2023 gold-medal win over them. Despite dominating offensively throughout the tournament with a leading 32 goals entering the game, Canada was haunted by near-misses, most notably Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage ringing three shots off the post and being denied twice on penalty shots in the second period, moments that proved pivotal as Czechia capitalized on a subsequent two-on-one. Bright spots included strong performances from Zayne Parekh (11 points, one shy of the Canadian defenceman record), Cole Reschny and Porter Martone (both with key tying goals), and Tij Iginla (opening power-play marker). However, the offence was disrupted by an early shoulder injury to top-six forward Brady Martin, forcing coach Dale Hunter to juggle lines with only 11 forwards dressed. Defensively, Canada was undone by persistent forechecking pressure leading to turnovers on multiple Czech goals, compounded by ill-timed penalties in the final minutes—including infractions by McKenna, Misa, and Reschny—that negated comeback chances and handed Czechia crucial power plays. Ultimately, the combination of missed opportunities, defensive lapses, and untimely mistakes left Canada facing Finland in Monday’s bronze-medal game.
Kelowna Rocket Tij Iginla opens up the scoring to make it a 1-0 game Canada at 15:14 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to San Jose Shark Michael Misa and Brantford Bulldog Jett Luchanko.–the Canadians scored on a nice pass from in tight. Jakub Fibigr couldn’t corral a loose puck in front of his goal and Misa got to it first. He got it over to Tij Iginla, who whacked it in from the blue ice at 15:14.
Edmonton Oil King Max Curran tied the game up for the Czechs at 16:56 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Tomas Galvas and Brantford Bulldog Adam Benak.-The Czech Republic quickly responded, leveling the game in under two minutes. Galvas fired a backhand shot but the puck deflected straight to Curran, who calmly slipped it under the goaltender’s pad to tie the score at 1-1.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-8 for the Czechs
Vancouver Giant Adam Titlbach gave the Czechs the lead at 3:44 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Portland Winterhawk Max Psenicka and Peterborough Pete Adam Novotny–The Czech Republic wasted little time in the second period to grab the lead. They applied relentless pressure in the Canadian zone from the opening faceoff—during which Ivankovic lost his stick—and at 3:44, Max Psenicka delivered a beautiful backhand saucer pass to Adam Titlbach in the slot, who quickly snapped it home for the go-ahead goal.
Calgary Flame Zayne Parekh ties the game back up for the Canadians at 12:38 of the second period on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Michigan Wolverine Michael Hage and London Knight Sam O’Reilly.–Canada then worked its way into a 5-on-3 advantage and tied the game 12:38. Orsulak lunged awkwardly at a Zayne Parekh shot, trying to catch it in front of his face, but he missed.
Minnesota Wild 2025 4th round pick Adam Benak made it a 3-2 game for the Czechs at 19:17 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Colorado Avalanche 2024 5th rounder Max Curran and Kelowna Rocket Tomas Poletin.–Then, with less than a minute remaining in the period, the Czech Republic surged ahead 3-2 on yet another odd-man rush. Curran fired a sharp cross-ice pass to Adam Benak, who ripped a low shot past Ivankovic with only 42.8 seconds left on the clock.
Shots on goal in the second period were 12-8 for Canada
Cole Reschny ties the game up at 3:59 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Michael Hage and Gavin McKenna.-Once again, however, Canada came roaring back at the start of the third period, tying the game at 3:59 when Reschny drove unchecked to the net and a shot to the far side.
Czechs then get back on top and make it 4-3 when future Kelowna Rocket Vojtech Cihar scores at 9:49 of the third period with the assist on the goal going to University of Massachusetts’ Vaclav Nestrasil–The Czech Republic remained unfazed and reclaimed the lead thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Vojtech Cihar. He powered his way around Caleb Desnoyers with determination, cut sharply to the front of the net, and roofed a quick shot that Ivankovic had no chance to stop.
Captain Porter Martone ties the game up at 4 at 17:19 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Pittsburgh Penguin Harrison Brunicke and 2025 New York Islanders first rounder Kashawn Aitcheson.–The Canadian netminder then turned in a series of outstanding saves to keep his team within striking distance, and those heroics paid off late in the third when Canada pulled even at 4-4. A shot from Harrison Brunicke reached the crease, where captain Porter Martone was perfectly positioned to tap it home at 17:19.
Then Czechs score with 1:14 remaining with the puck deflecting off of Tomas Poletin’s skate and in. The assists on the goal went to Max Curran and Adam Benak.–But the resilient Czech Republic refused to back down, continuing to play with tremendous heart and passion, while the Canadian defense showed repeated vulnerabilities. In the end, Poletin’s goal sealed a richly deserved victory for the Czechs, sending them to the gold-medal game for the second time in four years.
Empty net goal by Vojtech Cihar made it 6-4 with the helper going to Petr Sikora at 19:34 of the third period.
Shots on goal in the third period were 18-6 for the Czech’s. The Czechs outshot the Canadians 37-24 in the game.
Prince Albert Raiders Michal Orsulak stopped 19 of the 23 shots that he faced for the win for the Czechs. For the Canadians Jack Ivankovic stopped 31 of the 36 shots that he faced for Canada.
Canada plays for the Bronze January 5th Monday.
