For a third consecutive year, Czechia has ended Canada’s hope of a gold medal at the World Juniors.
After back-to-back quarterfinal losses to Czechia in 2024 and 2025, the 2026 tournament offered Canada a chance for revenge in the semifinal.
Unfortunately, it was the same old story, as a game-winning goal late in the third period lifted Czechia to a 6-4 victory and a date with Sweden in Monday’s gold medal game.
The Czechs prevail once again 👀 @czehockey #WorldJuniors #IIHF
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2026
Game Recap 🔗 https://t.co/EniA8iR83o pic.twitter.com/CiMWIVJEWi
The heroes for Czechia this year were a pair of Kelowna Rockets forwards, as Tomas Poletin scored the game-winner with 1:14 left and Vojtech Cihar had two goals of his own in the third.
Well before the game reached its dramatic finish, it was another Rocket in Tij Iginla who opened the scoring for Canada.
His powerplay goal put Canada up 1-0 with just under five minutes to play in the opening frame, but Maxmilian Curran tied it for Czechia before the period ended.
He’s at it again! @Kelowna_Rockets star and @utahmammoth prospect Tij Iginla opens the scoring for Canada! #WorldJuniors | #TusksUp
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 5, 2026
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Adam Titlbach gave Czechia its first lead of the game early in the second before Zayne Parekh and Adam Benak traded goals in the latter half of the period.
The final 20 minutes went back and forth, as Cole Reschny brought Canada level before Cihar restored Czechia’s lead at 4-3.
After Canadian captain Porter Martone scored to tie the game again with 2:41 to play, Poletin’s game-winner broke hearts all across Canada less than 90 seconds later. Cihar sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute.
We’re thinking @Kelowna_Rockets fans are really gonna like @LAKings prospect Vojtech Cihar. 🤯
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 5, 2026
Czechia regains the lead after this beautiful finish. 🇨🇿 #WorldJuniors | #GoKingsGo
pic.twitter.com/lWP3GoiKSc
The @Kelowna_Rockets contingent is getting it done for Czechia!@NYIslanders prospect Tomas Poletin puts Czechia ahead late! #WorldJuniors | #Isles
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 5, 2026
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Despite allowing five goals, Jack Ivankovic was stellar for Canada in the loss with 30 saves on countless high-danger chances. Michal Orsulak made 19 saves for Czechia to secure the victory.
Canada will now play Finland for bronze on Monday afternoon at 1:30 pm PST, while Czechia and Sweden, who beat Finland in a shootout in the other semifinal earlier Sunday, will battle for gold at 5:30 pm PST.
