SAINT PAUL, Minn. — For the third straight year, Canada’s bid for world junior hockey gold ended at the hands of Czechia.
Tomas Poletin scored the go-ahead goal with 1:14 remaining in the third period Sunday as Czechia defeated Canada 6–4 in the semifinals of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
The loss marked Canada’s second straight elimination by the Czechs — and the third consecutive year the powerhouse program failed to reach the gold-medal game.
“It’s the same feeling,” said forward Gavin McKenna, one of six Canadians returning from last year’s quarterfinal loss to Czechia. “Letting your country down sucks.”
Czech forward Vojtech Cihar scored twice, including an empty-net goal, while Adam Benak and Maximilian Curran each recorded a goal and two assists. Adam Titlbach added a goal and an assist, and goaltender Michal Orsulak made 20 saves.
“We were a little more hungry,” said Czech head coach Patrik Augusta. “The guys showed they are a team. A lot of character and a lot of will.”
Canada responded with goals from Tij Iginla, Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone and Cole Reschny. Goaltender Jack Ivankovic stopped 31 shots, while Michael Hage added two assists.
Canada captain Porter Martone called the defeat “a tough pill to swallow,” while Reschny summed it up more bluntly: “It sucks. Terrible feeling.”
Poletin’s winner came on a scramble in front when the puck crossed the goal line off his skate. Reschny was later penalized for goaltender interference with under a minute remaining, effectively sealing Canada’s fate.
“They just played grittier,” said Canadian forward Michael Misa. “They outcompeted us.”
Canadian head coach Dale Hunter offered a brief assessment after the loss. “They’re down,” he said. “That’s hockey. Be a pro about it.”
The result means the world junior final will not feature Canada or the United States for the first time since 2016. Czechia will face Sweden for gold, while Canada will play Finland in the bronze-medal game — a matchup Canada has not contested since 2014.
“We came here for a gold medal,” Martone said. “Now we’ve got a chance to respond.”
Canada opened the scoring on a first-period power play but struggled to maintain momentum, falling behind twice before briefly tying the game late in the third. A missed penalty shot earlier in the contest and key turnovers proved costly.
The defeat also carried echoes of recent history. Canada beat Czechia for gold in overtime in 2023, but has since been eliminated by the same opponent in three consecutive tournaments — a rare and sobering stretch for the perennial title contender.
“Very tough,” McKenna said. “But we’re doing it for Canada. We’ve got to regroup and be ready.”