EDMONTON — In a stunning pre-tournament setback ahead of the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Canada’s under-18 national team was shut out 6-0 by Czechia on Saturday night at Rogers Place. The visitors scored two goals in each period, with Josef Suchy and Adam Nemec finding the net in the first, Dominick Radim Byrtus and a power-play marker from Simon Sejc in the second, and Matej Kucera (also on the power play) plus Michal Hartl completing the rout in the third. Czechia outshot Canada 35-29 and went 2-for-4 with the man advantage while the hosts went scoreless on three opportunities; Czech goaltenders Jaroslav Martinek and Krystof Stepanek combined for the shutout, while Leif Oaten and Sam Berthiaume shared the duties for Canada in the final tune-up before the tournament opens Monday.
Josef Suchy made it a 1-0 game for Czechs just 1:43 into the game. Unassisted.
Brantford Bulldogs Adam Nemec made it a 2-0 game for the Czechs at 19:14 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to Michal Hartl. Ironically enough there is another Adam Nemec who plays in the OHL also, but with Sudbury. Except the one in Sudbury is older and Slovakian. The Slovakian one is the brother of Calgary Flame Simon Nemec.
Shots on goal in the first period were 7-6 for the Czechs
Future Lethbridge Hurricane Dominick Byrtus made it a 3-0 game for the Czechs at 7:56 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Josef Suchy and Melichar Kovar.
Simon Sejc makes it 4-0 for the Czechs on the Power Playat 17:55 of the second period. The helpers on the goal went to Lukas Kachlir and Michal Hartl.
Shots on goal in the second period were 18-9 for the Czechs
Matej Kucera made it 5-0 for the Czechs at 6:18 of the third period while on the Power Play the assist on the goal going to future Rimouski Oceanic Maxmilian Mares
Michal Hartl made it a 6-0 game for the Czechs at 10:36 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Dominick Byrtus and Sean Zuffa.
Shots on goal in the third period were 14-10 for the Canadians. The Czechs outshot the Canadians 35-29 in the game.
For the Czechs Jaroslav Martinek and Krystof Stepanek split the shutout for the Czechs. For the Canadians Lethbridge Hurricane Leif Oaten made 21 saves on the 25 shots that he faced. He was replaced in the third period by Samuel Berthiaume.
