Canada vs. Czechia final score, results: Jakub Stancl, Czechs stun Canadians in World Juniors quarterfinal

Bryan Murphy

Canada vs. Czechia final score, results: Jakub Stancl, Czechs stun Canadians in World Juniors quarterfinal  image

For the first time since 2019, Canada is leaving the World Juniors without a medal. 

Czechia pulled off a stunning win over the defending World Juniors champions on Tuesday morning, as Jakub Stancl's goal with 11 seconds left in the third period lifted the Czechs to a quarterfinal win. It ruins the Canadians' hopes of a three-peat after taking gold in 2022 and 2023. 

A poor first period ultimately came back to bite Canada, as Alan Letang's squad played a less-than-stellar opening 20 minutes, allowing Czechia to build a two-goal lead from goals by Stancl and Tomas Cibulka. However, the Canadians responded well in the second period, taking over the game and receiving goals from Matthew Wood and Jake Furlong to tie the game heading into the third. 

The final frame saw Canada again maintain a majority of puck possession, however, the Canadians could not crack through the wall that was Czechia goaltender Michael Hrabal. While the game appeared to be headed to overtime, Stancl had other ideas, as his shot in the dying seconds of regulation went off a Canadian defender and beat Mathis Rousseau for the game-winning goal. 

The quarterfinal loss concludes what has been an up-and-down World Juniors for Canada. After a strong showing in the first two games, Canada struggled immensely in its loss to Sweden and did not impress in the win against Germany to end group play. The result is a medal-less finish at the event, only the 13th time in 48 tournaments that Canada will not win any hardware. 

For Czechia, not only does the win act as revenge for last year's gold medal game loss to Canada, but it allows the team to advance to the semifinals for the third consecutive year. Their semifinal opponent will be determined after the quarterfinals conclude on Tuesday. 

The Sporting News provided all the updates and highlights from the Canada vs. Czechia quarterfinal game at the 2024 World Juniors.

Canada vs. Czechia final score

  1 2 3 OT F
Canada 0 2 0 - 2
Czechia 2 0 1 - 3

Canada vs. Czechia results, highlights from 2024 World Juniors quarterfinals

(All times Eastern)

Final: Czechia 3, Canada 2

10:56 a.m. — For the first time ever in the World Juniors knockout stage, Czechia defeats Canada, thanks to Jakub Stancl's goal in the dying seconds. A bad first period for Canada ultimately costs the defending World Juniors champs the chance at a three-peat. Canada will not medal for the first time since 2019. 

Czechia 3, Canada 2

10:53 a.m. — GOAL! Czechia takes the lead with 11 seconds left in the third. Stancl gets his second of the game, as his shot goes off the foot of Oliver Bonk, off the post and by Rousseau. The Czechs are 11 seconds away from pulling off a stunning win. 

10:50 a.m. — A couple good chances for Canada, but it still can't get that third goal. Matthew Savoie had a great chance off a drop pass from Matthew Poitras, but his attempt sailed high. Later, Geekie had an opportunity right in front of the net, but his shot was denied by Hrabal. There's less than two minutes left in the period. 

10:45 a.m. — The play has been much more back and forth than it was to start the third period, but neither Hrabal nor Rousseau have let up the tie-breaking goal yet. There's about five and a half minutes left in regulation.  

10:35 a.m. — Canada is putting on a cycling clinic in the offensive zone. The passing and movement has been tremendous, with Canada putting constant pressure on the Czech defense. However, it's still 2-2 with 11:11 left in regulation. 

10:31 a.m. — Brayden Yager comes inches away from giving Canada its first lead, but his one-timer from the slot clangs off the post and stays out. Canada has continued to put tons of pressure on Hrabal and Czechia through the first five minutes of the period. 

10:28 a.m. — Czechia successfully kills off the Alscher minor penalty. Canada got three shots onto Hrabal, but he stopped those attempts. 

10:25 a.m. — Canada heads to its first power play of the game just 32 seconds into the third. Marek Alscher is called for tripping Jordan Dumais. 

10:24 a.m. — The final 20 minutes of regulation between Canada and Czechia is a go. 

End of the second period: Canada 2, Czechia 2

10:04 a.m. — After a weak showing in the first period, Canada comes alive in the second and pots two goals to take a 2-2 tie into the intermission. From pretty much start to finish, the Canadians controlled play and dominated time of possession in the second period. However, Hrabal's strong play in the crease has kept Czechia in it. 

Canada 2, Czechia 2

9:59 a.m. — GOAL! Jake Furlong beats Hrabal with a shot from the point and it's a tie game with 3:20 to go in the period. Canada had put a ton of pressure on Czechia in the last couple of minutes, with Hrabal turning aside a couple of chances. However, Furlong's long wrister was placed perfectly over Hrabal's glove with Conor Geekie's big frame screening the Czech goalie. 

9:50 a.m. — Easton Cowan gets in behind the Czechia defense for a mini breakaway, but his shot on Hrabal misses wide. Canada remains down by one with 7:44 left in the period. 

9:47 a.m. — This is a completely different Canada team from the first. The passing is much crisper, the positioning has been tighter and the Canadians have the Czechs on their heels. 

9:42 a.m. — This has been an excellent first eight minutes of the period for Canada. The defending World Juniors champs are controlling play and have had Czechia running around in its own zone a couple of times. Wood nearly had his second goal on an odd-man rush with Macklin Celebrini, but his attempt was denied by Hrabal. 

Czechia 2, Canada 1

9:36 a.m. — GOAL! Matthew Wood gets Canada back to within one with a breakaway goal. The Predators prospect places a perfect shot over the right shoulder of Hrabal 3:43 into the second period to make it a 2-1 game. Canada had strung together a couple of strong shifts, and get rewarded with the Wood goal. 

9:34 a.m. — Rousseau has made a number of sensational stops at this tournament, and he adds another one to the highlight reel by stoning Eduard Sale point-blank in front of the net. 

9:33 a.m. — The second period in Gothenburg is underway. 

End of the first period: Czechia 2, Canada 0

9:15 a.m. — After 20 minutes, it's a two-goal lead by Czechia over Canada. The Czechs are by far the fastest team the defending champs have played at this tournament so far, and it's giving the Canadians a ton of trouble. Canada had five shots on goal through the first five minutes with Czechia recording just one, but were outshot 8-2 after that point as Czechia took over the game. 

Czechia 2, Canada 0

9:11 a.m. — GOAL! Czechia doubles its lead with 1:59 left in the first period thanks to a point shot by Tomas Cibulka that beats Rousseau five-hole. It looks like the traffic in front of Rousseau impaired his vision, however, that's another goal allowed that he is going to want to have back. The Canadians are in trouble early, as the Czechs have dictated the play so far, playing to their style. 

9:08 a.m. — Canada has got caught being too aggressive at times, giving up a number of rushes to Czechia. The Czechs likes to play fast, north-south hockey, so the Canadians have to be careful not to be out of position, like they were on the Stancl goal. 

9:04 a.m. — After peppering Hrabal early, Canada has gone nearly 10 minutes without a shot on goal. That's not a recipe for success by any means. 

8:59 a.m. — Penalty shot miss! Rymon tries to beat Rousseau low to the glove side, but the Canada goaltender flashes the pad for the stop. That's a massive save by Rousseau and a missed opportunity for Czechia.  

8:58 a.m. — We have a penalty shot for Czechia. Ales Cech sent Dominik Rymon in on a breakaway, and the Czech player was slashed by Noah Warren on the play. It's a chance for Czechia to double its lead with 8:56 left in the first. 

Czechia 1, Canada 0

8:52 a.m. — GOAL! Czechia opens the scoring 7:51 into the first period as Jakub Stancl beats Rousseau by the blocker on the rush. That's a goal that Rousseau certainly is going to want back as he lets a short-side shot get by, but the defense gave Stancl way too big of a lane to get a shot off. 

8:42 a.m. — One of the issues for Canada against Sweden, and Germany, was a lack of shots on goal. Well, Alan Letang's team has five shots on goal through the first five minutes. 

8:37 a.m. — Puck is down and the quarterfinal matchup between Canada and Czechia is underway. 

Pregame

8:30 a.m. — If Canada beats Czechia in the quarterfinal, it very likely sets up a Group A rematch against Sweden in the semifinals, barring a Sweden win later today against Switzerland. 

8:10 a.m. — Here is how the two sides line up for today's quarterfinal. Mathis Rousseau is back in the Canada net after starting all four group play games. No Canadian goaltender has played in every game since Carey Price at the 2007 World Juniors. Coyotes prospect Michael Hrabal will be in the other crease for Czechia. 

7:45 a.m. — Big news for Canada — Alan Letang confirms this morning that Matthew Savoie is good to go against Czechia. The Sabres prospect missed the last game against Germany with a lower-body injury. 

What channel is Canada vs. Czechia on today?

  • TV channels: TSN (Canada) | NHL Network (United States)
  • Live stream: TSN app (Canada) | Fubo (United States)

Canada vs. Czechia will air on TSN in Canada and NHL Network in the U.S.

Viewers can also stream the game on the TSN app in Canada and Fubo in the U.S.

Canada vs. Czechia start time

  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 2
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. ET | 5:30 a.m. PT

Canada vs. Czechia will start at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

The game is one of four quarterfinal matchup on deck to take place Tuesday. If Canada gets by Czechia, the results of the other games will determine who the semifinal opponent will be. 

2024 World Juniors knockout stage schedule, results

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Matchup Time (ET) TV
Slovakia vs. Finland (Quarterfinal) 6 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Canada vs. Czechia (Quarterfinal) 8:30 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
USA vs. Latvia (Quarterfinal) 11 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Sweden vs. Switzerland (Quarterfinal) 1:30 p.m. TSN/NHL Network

Thursday, Jan. 4

Matchup Time (ET) TV
Relegation Game          5 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Semifinal 9 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Semifinal 1:30 p.m. TSN/NHL Network

Friday, Jan. 5

Matchup Time (ET) TV
Bronze Medal Game   9 a.m. TSN/NHL Network
Gold Medal Game 1:30 p.m. TSN/NHL Network

2024 World Juniors bracket

Here is how the quarterfinals shape up at the 2024 World Juniors:

Quarterfinals

  • 1A Sweden vs. 4B Switzerland
  • 1B USA vs. 4A Latvia
  • 2A Canada vs. 3B Czechia
  • 2B Slovakia vs. 3A Finland

2024 World Juniors odds

Heading into the knockout stage, the United States remain as the favorite to win the World Juniors, according to the oddsmakers. The Americans were the pre-tournament favorite and the only team not to lose in group play. 

Here is a look at the odds to win the 2024 World Juniors for the eight teams remaining, courtesy of Sports Interaction:

Team Odds
USA +160
Sweden +250
Canada +300
Finland +1000
Czechia +1800
Slovakia +2500
Switzerland +10000
Latvia +30000

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.