A late push by the Canadians wasn't enough, as Czechia stormed right back to take a victory their one and only exhibition game
Coming off a massive 10-1 win against Slovakia on Thursday, Team Canada was looking to continue their dominance against the Czechs on Saturday to close out their 2024 Hlinka Gretzky pre-tournament play. Unfortunately for the host country, this game did not turn out in their favour.
Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans) helped Canada get out to an early lead, assisting a Quinn Beauschene goal. Stepan Cerny tied things up a few minutes later, and the teams went into the first intermission tied at one.
Things started to ramp up in the second, as Canada went down early but Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver Giants) contributed a beautiful assist to Emile Guite to bring Canada even once again. Czechia would add another, and take a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame.
There were a flurry of chances in the third, as Schmidt and Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals) both came close but could not beat Portland Winterhawks signing Ondrej Stebetak. Eventually the tides started to shift Canada's way, as Schmidt tucked a short side marker past Stebatak, with Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers) picking up a secondary assist. Canada was rolling, and they had tied the game once again.
After taking a strange hit and exiting the ice in the second period, Kamloops Blazers prospect Vit Zahejsky returned for the third and ripped a one timer by Jack Ivankovic on the power play, giving the Czechs a 4-3 lead. Czechia would add another immediately after, and Cameron Reid brought the game to 5-4 (Reschny picking up an assist on this goal) but Adam Benak would seal the game with an empty net marker.
Canada opens up tournament play against Switzerland on Aug 5 at 7:30 p.m. local time, while Czechia kicks off their schedule against the USA at 3:30 p.m. Both games can be found on TSN1 and TSN5.
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