Same opponent, same result.
For the second straight year Canada has to down the bitter pill of defeat at the hands of Czechia.
Adam Jecho’s one-time blast on the power-play with 40 seconds remaining in the third period allowed the Czechs to advance to the semi-finals escaping with a 4-3 victory on Thursday against the host Canadians in Ottawa.
The dice rolled snake eyes once again when it came to the lack of discipline by Canada.
The most costly penalty, a tripping infraction to defenceman Andrew Gibson with 2:27 remaining in regulation.
It looked for a moment Canada would pull off the mother of all comebacks in the third period as Bradly Nadeau’s deflection in front of Czech netminder Michael Hrabal squeezing through the five-hole to even the score at 3-3.
At that point, Canada’s passionate fan base rose from the dead screaming and yelling euphorically as if better days were ahead.
Porter Martone set the wheels in motion late in the second period as a shot by McBride’s Tanner Molendyk allowed the draft eligible player to cash in on a golden opportunity to put Canada with one.
The Czechs built up a 3-1 edge in what was penalty-filled opening 20 minutes.
Petr Sikora lit the lamp 43 seconds into the game that alluded the five-hole of Canada goalie Carter George.
Sikora then got flattened on a hit by hulking forward Cole Beaudoin who received a five-minute major and an early shower despite the Czech forward returning to the game looking none the worse for wear.
Tanner Howe evened the score for Canada shorthanded capping off a great effort by captain Brayden Yager.
Jakub Stancl was awarded Czechia’s second goal after a misplay by blueliner Sam Dickinson which fooled George and into the back of the net.
Eduard Sale extended the visitors edge in the final three seconds of the first connecting on a 2-on-1 rush.
Canada outshot the Czechs 32-26. Czechia struck twice on five power-plays while Canada connected once in three attempts.
Molendyk logged the most ice time among all Canadian skaters at 21:32. The 19-year-old from McBride B.C. was also named one of Canada’s top three players in the tourney along with Yager and George.
For the first time in tournament history, Canada has failed to advance beyond the quarter-final round for consecutive seasons.
Czechia will suit up against the United States in semi-finals on Saturday while Sweden takes on Finland in the other matchup.
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