Photo Gallery: Canada falls to Czechia again at world juniors

By Canadian Press on January 5, 2026.

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.

The Canadian Press