After they lost to Czechia in 2024, Canada was looking for revenge in the Quarterfinal of the 2025 World Junior Championship (WJC). However, the Czechs doubled down with a 4-3 win, sending the Canadians home without a medal in back-to-back seasons. What were some takeaways?
Czechia’s Strong First Period Carries Them to Victory
Czechia’s stellar first period drove home the win for them. Outscoring the Canadians 3-1, including a goal in both the first and last minute, two pretty disastrous periods after that were inconsequential. Canada tied it 3-3 late in the final frame but a tally with just 40 seconds left put the Czechs back on top. It wasn’t pretty, but they got it done.
Related: Guide to the 2025 World Junior Championship
To be fair, Czechia was dominant in the first period. It never really felt close in that opening frame, and goaltender Michael Hrabal wasn’t challenged much aside from a shorthanded push by the Canadians that led to a goal. The Czechs did a good job outpacing an intimidating foe.
Canada’s Lack of Discipline Strikes at the Final Hour
After a remarkable comeback to tie the game at 3-3 late in the third period when all hope seemed lost, it felt like Canada actually had the upper hand for the first time all night. Momentum was fully in the Canadians’ favor, outshooting the Czechs heavily and challenging Hrabal with some high-quality shots.
But then, their lack of discipline reared its ugly head. A needless kneeing penalty with just over two minutes to go put them down a man. Czechia, with everything on the line, knew what they had to do. St. Louis Blues prospect Adam Jecho scored the biggest goal of his life with under a minute to go. Canada didn’t as much as threaten to tie the game back up.
The entire tournament, the same point has been reiterated. It was probably the biggest talking point entering this contest: Canada had to stop taking so many penalties. They opened the first period with a major penalty plus a game misconduct and ended it with a last-minute power-play goal in their net.
Canada’s Even-Strength Play Wasn’t Good Enough This WJC
While Canada’s poor discipline was a major reason they lost, their even-strength struggles were the reason they were playing a tough Czechia team in the first place. Throughout the WJC, but especially after their 4-0 win against Finland, the Canadians couldn’t…
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