Ondrej Stebetak, Vit Zahejsky, and Robin Svancara all contributed to the Czechia win over Finland to finish their first set of games.
Team Czechia punched their ticket to the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Semifinals on Wednesday, taking down Team Finland by a score of 4-1.
After a scoreless first period, Czechia got on the board first courtesy of Tomas Poletin. Zahejsky (Kamloops Blazers) assisted on a David Hruby goal to extend the lead to two, and Robin Svancara (Calgary Hitmen) potted his first of the tournament to give Czechia a 3-0 cushion heading into the second intermission.
Zahejsky would then add another assist on a Adam Novotny marker, and Czechia would allow just one goal the rest of the way to take the final preliminary contest.
Stebetak (Portland Winterhawks) made 17 saves in the game, and after claiming Player of the Game honors on Monday against USA, he appeared to be riding high along with his undefeated teammates.
"(We are) super happy, but we need to confirm our form in the semifinals, so we need to keep going." Czechia will play USA in the Group B semifinal on Friday.
The Winterhawks prospect shared that he will be returning to Czechia after the tournament, then making the move to Portland around August 20.
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