It was deja vu for Canadian hockey fans after a last-minute Czechia goal eliminated their squad from the World Junior Championship for the second consecutive year on Thursday night.
This is the first time Canada has lost in the quarter-finals for consecutive years and it comes after several questionable roster choices made by the Hockey Canada brass.
Czechia got the scoring started before most fans had their snacks ready after Petr Sikora found the back of the net 43 seconds into the quarter-final match.
PETR SIKORA OPENS THE SCORING FOR CZECHIA LESS THAN A MINUTE IN 😱#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/lUJI06mQNF
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2025
Later in the period, Cole Beaudoin was handed a five-minute major and the Canadians found themselves on a penalty kill.
Brayden Yager got a hold of the puck early in the Czechia power play and connected with Tanner Howe, who had a clear path to the net to even the score.
TANNER HOWE STRIKES SHORT-HANDED!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2025
Canada ties it up.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/nbliEKU1GH
But the draw did not last for long as Czechia took advantage of the power play and Jakub Stancl got some help from Canada to regain the lead.
Stancl fired a shot over the net and in an effort to clear the puck, an unlucky rebound off defender ​​Sam Dickinson put the puck into his own net.
Jakub Stancl strikes on the power-play!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2025
Czechia leads 2-1.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Ad3UXBx3j0
With the first period in its final seconds, Czechia scored again to take a 3-1 lead into the second period.
The score remained the same for the majority of the middle frame until the final few minutes when Canada got a break courtesy of a Czechia penalty.
The Canadians took advantage of the power play and Porter Martone tipped in the shot to make it 3-2.
PORTER MARTONE TIPS ONE HOME 👀
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2025
Canada trails 3-2.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/N7GtmNqYnb
Martone's goal gave his team momentum and the Canadians controlled much of the third period.
The Canadians continued their strong push and finally broke through with less than five minutes to play.
Canada sent a shot flying at the net and Czechia's goalie made the initial stop, but Bradly Nadeau got a stick on the rebound and buried the puck to even the score.
BRADLY NADEAU TIES IT FOR CANADA WITH 4 MINUTES LEFT 🔥#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/1BxNt8cbvh
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2025
With the clock winding down, Andrew Gibson was handed a kneeing penalty.
The Canadians managed to contain Czechia and the end of the penalty kill was in sight before Czechia scored in the final minute and stunned the crowd.
CZECHIA LEADS WITH UNDER A MINUTE TO GO 😱
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2025
Adam Jecho strikes on the power-play!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/leL90nGeAx
Canada was unable to score with 40 seconds left in the match, and for the second straight year will not play for a medal at a tournament they're known for dominating.
Carter George stopped 22 of the 26 shots he faced in net as he finished the tournament with two shutouts.
Sweden will face Finland in the first semifinal match on Saturday before Czechia takes on the US.
