In what could have been a 'What If' moment that surely would have haunted generations of Canadian hockey fans, it turns out that Czechia had six players on the ice when Ondrej Palat scored the goal that gave them a 3-2 lead against Canada in Wednesday's Olympic quarterfinal.
Oh, the irony.
In what could have been a 'What If' moment that surely would have haunted generations of Canadian hockey fans, it turns out that Czechia had six players on the ice when Ondrej Palat scored the goal that gave them a 3-2 lead against Canada in Wednesday's Olympic quarterfinal. Luckily for Canada, Nick Suzuki tied the game shortly after and Canada went on to win 4-3 in overtime on a goal from Mitch Marner.
But following the game, it was Czechia's coach — not Canada's — who seemed more upset with the officiating.
"The referees really worry me," said Czechia coach Radim Rulik. "What they're allowing against us is unacceptable. After every game, we send them two or three clips where they confirm that the opponent should have been penalized. I don't understand it. I just don't get it. I feel like everyone is afraid to call anything against Canada.
"We were basically playing against six players. I don't want to make excuses — and no one has to agree with me — but the video backs me up. In this respect, it's not a fair tournament."
Canada was penalized twice in Wednesday's quarterfinal, while Czechia was assessed three penalties. Despite playing in only four games, Canada has been the second-most penalized team in the tournament (45 minutes). Czechia, which played five games, tied for seventh with 30 penalty minutes.
One of the plays that might have warranted a penalty against Canada was late in the third period, when Devon Toews chased down Martin Necas on a breakaway. Toews appeared to slash Necas on the hands as he was stopped on a deke by goalie Jordan Binnington, but no penalty was called.
"The mix of NHL and European referees hasn't worked," said Czechia's Rulik. "Everyone calls the game differently."
Officials from Sweden, Canada and USA called Wednesday's quarterfinal. None of them were also able to count the six players that Czechia had on the ice, when Thomas Harley had his point shot blocked, leading to a turnover and Palat's go-ahead goal.
“I could have just hit it,” said Harley. “I thought I had some more space, that I could walk into it. Hertl made a great play, came out sliding to block, (the puck) went out the other way.”
When Canada coach Jon Cooper asked the non-call on the too-many-men penalty, Cooper rolled his eyes and smiled. He wasn't going to go there.
Not after Canada won the game, at least.