Petr Cajka scored the third-period winner and goalie Lukas Dostal made 33 saves
as the Czechs upset Canada 2-1 in the late quarter-final in Magnitogorsk.

The Czech Republic will face the defending champion Americans in Saturday's semi-finals in Chelyabinsk.

Magnitogorsk witnessed the biggest upset of the 2018 tournament so far. Matej Blumel also scored for the Czechs in the first period, and Cajka drew the assist.

Tylan Dellandrea had the lone goal for Canada.

The Canadians looked increasingly frustrated as the game wore on. This was not the way they'd expected it to go. It won't go down in history with the classic Czech victories over Canada in the 1998 Olympic semi-final or the 2005 World Championship gold medal game, but it was a shocker nonetheless.

Nobody could fault either netminder in this tense showdown. Canada's Olivier Rodrigue, making his third consecutive start, was very good, but Dostal was clutch.

Canada medalled four straight years from 2012 to 2015, winning gold in 2013 under current head coach Don Hay and bronze the other years. But now the Canadians are going home empty-handed for the third straight year at this tournament.

The Czechs stunned everyone when they took silver in 2014 - their first medal since 2006's bronze - with a squad that included David Pastrnak, Jakub Vrana, and Pavel Zacha. Now they will look to score their first medal since then.

Coach David Bruk's underdogs came out flying in the first period, outshooting Canada 14-7. The Canadians were unable to establish their forecheck early on.

At 11:30, the Czechs opened the scoring. Cajka beat Liam Foudy at the Canadian blue line, creating a 2-on-1, and he fed it across to Blumel, who hesitated before beating Rodrigue low to the stick side.

As the Czechs continued buzzing the Canadian net, Rodrigue had to be sharp to deny Vojtech Strondala in tight and Jan Jenik from the hash marks. At the other
end, Dostal said no to Joe Veleno on the rush.

Canada picked up its pace in the second period but still couldn't find the equalizer. About seven minutes in, Dostal stoned Veleno again on a huge chance at the side of the net. Then during a Canadian power play, he was there again to deny Allan McShane, who went off shaking his head.

At 10:03 of the third period, Cajka swung cross-ice into the left faceoff circle and surprised Rodrigue with a glove-side wrister to make it 2-0.

At 13:19, Canada fought back. On the power play, Jonathan Tychonick kept the puck in at the line, carried it in and handed it to McShane, who sent a perfect
cross-crease pass to Dellandrea to slam into the open side for his second of the tournament.

Canada pushed hard but couldn't convert during a late slashing minor to Jakub Adamek. With just over a minute left and Rodrigue yanked for the extra attacker, Dostal stoned Lavoie from the slot. Time ran out on Canada's comeback
hopes despite outshooting the Czechs 15-7 in the third and 34-31 overall.

The last time the Czechs beat Canada was 4-3 in the semi-finals on 26 April, 2014 on David Kase's overtime goal. Canada has dominated the rivalry overall with seven wins, one tie, and five losses. But the latest defeat stings the most for the motherland of hockey.

LUCAS AYKROYD

http://u18worlds2018.iihf.hockey/en/news/can-cze/
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