CZECHS STUN CANADA, 4-3 IIHF 2025 World Junior Championship

Adam Jecho scored the winning goal on a power play with 39.4 seconds remaining to give the Czechs 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.

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 redirected the puck through the pads of Carter George, who was making his fourth start in five games.

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, 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 Tanner 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 the puck 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 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 withjust 2:27 remaining. It cost them dearly. Adam Jecho got to a loose puck and wired a shot in for the win.