Canada's Tij Iginla (11) celebrates his goal with teammates as Czechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) looks on, during first period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Canada will play for bronze at the world junior hockey championship.
Tomas Poletin scored with 1:14 left in the third period as Czechia ended Canadian gold-medal dreams for a third straight year with a 6-4 victory in the semifinals at the men’s under-20 tournament Sunday.
Vojtech Cihar had two goals, including one into the empty net, for the Czechs, who also eliminated Canada at the quarterfinal stage in both 2024 and 2025 — the first time the country failed to make the event’s final four in consecutive years.
Adam Benak and Maximilian Curran, with a goal and two assists each, and Adam Titlbach provided the rest of the offence. Michal Orsulak made 20 saves.
Tij Iginla, Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone and Cole Reschny replied for Canada. Jack Ivankovic stopped 31 shots. Michael Hage had two assists.
Here are some scenes from the semifinal game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2026.
Czechia’s Max Curran (12) celebrates his goal with teammate Tomas Galvas (23) during first period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action against Canada, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia’s Adam Jirícek (5) and Samuel Drancak (29) defend against an advance from Canada’s Keaton Verhoeff (20) during first period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) makes a save on Canada’s Michael Hage (29) during first period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCanada’s Zayne Parekh (19) celebrates his goal during second period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action against Czechia, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia’s Adam Benak (20) celebrates his goal with teammates Tomas Poletin (18) and Radim Mrtka (6) during second period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action against Canada, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) and Max Psenicka (3) defend against Canada’s Tij Iginla (11) in front of the net during first period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovTeam Canada players react after losing to Czechia in semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia’s Adam Titlbach (22) shoots on Canada goaltender Jack Ivankovic (1) during second period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) celebrates with teammate Jakub Fibigr (7) after defeating Canada in semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovTeam Czechia players celebrate after defeating Canada in semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCanada’s Cole Reschny (21) shoots on Czechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCzechia’s Vojtech Cihar (15) celebrates his goal on an empty net with teammates Petr Sikora (17) and Jakub Fibigr (7) during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovTeam Canada players react after losing to Czechia in semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCanada’s Caleb Desnoyers (25) shoots on Czechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCanada’s Michael Misa (7) places his hand on the puck following a face off against Czechia’s Max Curran (12) during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCanada’s Cole Reschny (21) scores on Czechia goaltender Michal Orsulak (30) while teammates Adam Titlbach (22) and Matyas Man (8) stand in front of the net during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovCanada’s Cole Reschny (21) reacts after scoring during third period semifinal IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship action against Czechia, in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
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