Canada's Gold Medal Hopes Snuffed Out by Czech Republic in World Juniors Semifinals
In a crushing defeat that has sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world, Canada's junior national team was eliminated from contention for gold in the World Junior Championships, losing 6-4 to the Czech Republic in Sunday's semifinal match. The loss marks Canada's fifth consecutive exit at this level and raises questions about the team's overall preparation for next year's NHL draft.
The game, which was played in front of a sparse crowd at the Grand Casino Arena, got off to a contentious start with both teams trading goals and penalties throughout the first period. The Czechs took an early 2-1 lead, but Canada responded with a pair of tallies before taking a 4-3 advantage heading into the intermission.
However, it was in the third period that the game truly swung in favor of the Czech Republic. Goals from Tomas Poletin and Vojtech Cihar gave Prague a 5-4 lead with just over five minutes remaining, sending Canada's Gavin McKenna and company into disarray.
"We were on the wrong end of some bad bounces," said Canadian captain Porter Martone, who also saw his team lose top-six forward Brady Martin to an injury partway through the game. "It was a pretty crazy ending, but that's what junior hockey is."
The Czechs' victory set up a gold medal showdown with Sweden on Monday, while Canada will face Finland for bronze.
"I'd say we were a little more hungry," said Czech coach Patrick Augusta of his team's performance. "Our guys showed a lot of character and will to beat them."
In a crushing defeat that has sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world, Canada's junior national team was eliminated from contention for gold in the World Junior Championships, losing 6-4 to the Czech Republic in Sunday's semifinal match. The loss marks Canada's fifth consecutive exit at this level and raises questions about the team's overall preparation for next year's NHL draft.
The game, which was played in front of a sparse crowd at the Grand Casino Arena, got off to a contentious start with both teams trading goals and penalties throughout the first period. The Czechs took an early 2-1 lead, but Canada responded with a pair of tallies before taking a 4-3 advantage heading into the intermission.
However, it was in the third period that the game truly swung in favor of the Czech Republic. Goals from Tomas Poletin and Vojtech Cihar gave Prague a 5-4 lead with just over five minutes remaining, sending Canada's Gavin McKenna and company into disarray.
"We were on the wrong end of some bad bounces," said Canadian captain Porter Martone, who also saw his team lose top-six forward Brady Martin to an injury partway through the game. "It was a pretty crazy ending, but that's what junior hockey is."
The Czechs' victory set up a gold medal showdown with Sweden on Monday, while Canada will face Finland for bronze.
"I'd say we were a little more hungry," said Czech coach Patrick Augusta of his team's performance. "Our guys showed a lot of character and will to beat them."
Canada just got destroyed by the Czech Republic in the World Juniors Semifinals... 6-4 is a whooping loss 
. I'm starting to think that Canada's junior hockey team is stuck in neutral 
. They've been struggling lately and it's like they can't catch a break. The Czechs played way better, with more discipline and heart 
. What happened to Porter Martone's leadership skills? He just stood there looking all confused 
. I'm rooting for the underdog Finns now 
... they might be able to pull off an upset against Sweden for bronze.
. Like, what's the point of all this hype? It's just young kids playing some hockey and getting eliminated by another country. Can't we just focus on the pros for once? The whole "it's character" thing from that Czech coach is giving me a hard pass 
. And what's with Canada always getting eliminated like this? Can't they develop some actual strategy or something? This whole thing feels like a circus to me 
. They were up 4-3 heading into the third period, only to get taken down by those last-minute Czech goals 
. And now they're facing Finland for bronze? Bummer, cuz 
. It's like, I know junior hockey is all about ups and downs, but five consecutive exits at this level? That's gotta be tough on the team's morale 
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how they bounce back next year 
.
. Guess you just gotta take a page from the Czechs' book, being hungry and showing character is key 
️ their junior hockey team got DESTROYED by czech republic in semis 
if he can lead his team to gold medal 
monday's the day!!! 
gotta root 4 sweden now too 
the Czechs played some solid hockey, no doubt but it's still frustrating for Canadians who were hyped up for gold 
at least they get to play for bronze now tho 
and it's cool that the Czech coach was all about character and hunger 
They had some promising moments in the game, especially during the first period when they were trading goals with the Czechs. But it looks like they just couldn't catch a break and those bounces against them hurt big time 
. I guess you just have to chalk it up to the cruel fate of being in junior hockey, though! 
at least the czechs took it to them and didn't make a mess of it, credit where credit is due 
now finland might be their lucky charm though
. And what's with all these injuries? Brady Martin getting hurt, Gavin McKenna having a crappy game... it's like they're not even prepared for the tournament 
. It just feels like they didn't have the right strategy or player development.
.
. anyway, congrats to czech republic on their win, i guess! 
. Guess we'll have to wait and see how they do against Sweden for gold on Monday