Adam Jecho scored the winning goal on a power play with 39.4 seconds remaining in the third period to give Czechia a 4-3 win over Canada in a wild quarter-finals.

The Czechs will now play the United States in the semi-finals on Saturday. Canada finishes in 5th palce, their second-worst showing ever on home ice (6th in 2019). They also scored only 13 goals all tournament, tied for their lowest output ever with the 1998 team that finished 8th.

"Obviously, it sucks," said Canada's Tanner Howe, one of the goalscorers. "You never want to lose, but I thought we played a pretty good game. I think our third period was the best of the tournament. We really took it to them, but sometimes bounces don't go your way. At the start of the tournament, we talked about taking deep breaths. Obviously the fans are always crazy loud and give us momentum, so we tried to stay in the moment. We had a lot of chances, but we couldn't find a way to put it in the back of the net, so it sucks."

The Czechs will be trying to win their third straight medal in U20 play on Sunday (silver 2023, bronze 2024), something they haven't done in more than 30 years (1989-91).

"I'm really proud of the players," said Czech coach Patrik Augusta, "but it doesn't mean anything yet. We're in the semi-finals. They're not giving us any medals yet. But playing a big game like this, in Canada, on the big stage, with 18,000 people cheering for Canada, I think it's going to be something the players will remember. And it's going to make them stronger, character-wise in the future of their careers. They were ready before the game. They were cheering and yelling in the dressing room to get ready, and we had a great start. And I think the first period decided the game. It wasn't over, of course, but they really enjoyed it, and you saw what happened."

Canada incurred 55 penalty minutes in the game to 10 for the Czechs, and that translated to 8:00 of power play time for the winners compared to just 1:57 for Canada. In short, as has hapepned before in Ottawa, discpline cost Canada dearly after they had battled back admirably from a 3-1 deficit.

"We  didn't score enough, and we could have been more disciplined," admitted Bradly Nadeau. "Those things didn't help us, but we played a good team. In the end, we didn't get the results we wanted. We didn't get enough traffic in front, and all tournament the goalies could see the puck. The fans were amazing the whole game. It helps give us momentum, but unfortunately we didn't come through."

It looked grim for the hosts early and often during the first period. The Czechs opened the scoring just 43 seconds after the opening faceoff on a beautiful play using their speed. Vojtech Hradec got the puck in front to Petr Sikora, and his quick tip sent the puck through the pads of Carter George, who was making his fourth start in five games for Canada. 

 

And then a potential game changer. Despite spending much of the last two days talking about improved discipline after taking way too many needless penalties in their New Year’s Eve loss to the U.S., Canada incurred a five-minute major and game misconduct thanks to a dangerous knee-on-knee by Cole Beaudoin on Sikora, who lay prone on the ice for several moments after the hit.

Improbably, though, Canada tied the game short-handed on two fine plays by Brayden Yager. First, he got clear for a breakaway, and although he shot wide he got his own rebound and fed Howe in front. Howe tipped the pass high over the shoulder of Michael Hrabal at 10:17 to the delight of the Canadian crowd.

Sikora recovered quickly and got power play time, much to the dismay of the fans, who booed him whenever he touched the puck. But five minutes is a long time to be short-handed, and the Czechs managed to regain the lead on a lucky play. Jakub Stancl’s high shot bounced off the end glass and into Canada's crease, and in an effort to clear the puck defender Sam Dickinson gloved it into his own goal.

As time wound down, it looked like we would have a 2-1 game at the end of the first, but a lax Canadian effort in centre ice gave the Czechs a break, and they capitalized on a play similar to their first goal. This time, Matej Mastalirsky spotted Eduard Sale going to the net. The pass was perfect, and Mastalirsky snapped the puck into the back side beyond the outstretched arm of George to make it 3-1 with only 2.1 seconds left.

The Czechs played a near-flawless second period, sucking the life out of the crowd with their stellar defensive play and making Canada chase the puck all period long. For the longest time, you could hear a pin drop, and even the booing for Sikora mostly subsided. And then, just like that, things changed.

Keeping the puck in at the Czech line, Berkly Catton made a move outside-in, and Sale clipped him, drawing a tripping penalty. Canada capitalized when a Tanner Molendyk point shot was expertly tipped in front by Porter Martone, who had been a healthy scratch by coach Dave Cameron for the previous two games. The crowd came to life; Canada skated with more zip; and, the Czechs were happy to head to the dressing room with their 3-2 lead intact--barely.

Canada came out guns a-blazin' and had their best period since opening night. They got the puck deep, pressured the Czech defence, and got some quality shots on Hrabal. But still no tying goal. 

And then, it happened. Luca Pinelli teed up a shot from the slot, and although Hrabal made the save, he bobbled the puck and Nadeau knocked it in at 15:42, making it a 3-3 game.

Soon after, though, Canada took another senseless penalty when Andrew Gibson took a kneeing penalty with just 2:27 remaining. It cost them dearly. Jecho got to a loose puck and wired a shot in for the win.