Suchanek makes 36 saves as Czechia defeats Canada for the first time since 2014 World Juniors

In the final game of Day One at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, the hosts, Canada, took on Czechia, who they defeated twice on their way to the gold medal in August's tournament.

Canada got the scoring started on the powerplay just over half-way through the opening frame. Anaheim Ducks prospect Olen Zellweger shot the puck from the point where it was tipped in by captain Shane Wright to give Canada the 1-0 lead.

The Captain strikes first for Canada, Shane Wright makes it a 1-0 game! 🇨🇦#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/JPJZfd7Nqz— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2022

They thought they had a second goal not long after, as Los Angeles Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke wired a shot past Tomas Suchanek, but Joshua Roy was offside leading up to the goal. After a review, the goal was called back.

Later in the period, the Czechs came back and scored twice in 35 seconds to take lead. David Spacek scored a tap-in on a pass down low, through the crease from Stanislav Svozil to tie the game at 1-1.

David Spacek gets the scoring started for Czechia!

The game is now all tied up at 1-1. pic.twitter.com/Ki88BmJZ0G— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

Then, as mentioned, 35 seconds later, Czechia took the lead. Right off the face-off, David Moravec threw the puck on net as Canada's goaltender Benjamin Gaudreau was screened by several players. The puck found its way into Canada's net and Czechia took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Czechia strikes again!

David Moravec gives Czechia the lead 30 seconds after they tied it up. pic.twitter.com/ydLSGaOp4I— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

The game opened up even further in the second as Canada played an undisciplined period and was very poor defensively.

44 seconds into the middle frame, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Stanislav Svozil added to his team's lead, making it 3-1 Czechia. Svozil was given the entire right side of Canada's zone to skate in and fired the puck past Benjamin Gaudreau.

Stanislav Svozil strikes in the first minute of the 2nd to make it a 3-1 game for Czechia.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/cOzDBJogIo— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

Nearly 45 seconds later, Canada got one back. 2023 projected first overall pick Connor Bedard was in on a rush after picking up the loose puck and picked top corner, glove side on Tomas Suchanek to bring his team within one. 3-2 Czechia.

CONNOR BEDARD🚨

Bedard cuts Czechia's lead to 1 making a 3-2 game.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/LubvJc5asd— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

Canada then got into some penalty trouble as, after a review, Vegas Golden Knights prospect Zach Dean was ejected for a check to the head. Czechia took advantage and scored twice on the five-minute powerplay, first from Jaroslav Chmelar and the second coming from Matous Mensik to extend the lead to 5-2.

Matous Mensik sends it home!🚨

Czechia strikes twice in 33 seconds making it a 5-2 game.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/PWutiOl3Tk— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

Matous Mensik sends it home!🚨

Czechia strikes twice in 33 seconds making it a 5-2 game.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/PWutiOl3Tk— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

Following Czechia's fifth goal, Canada made a goaltending change. Benjamin Gaudreau, who allowed five goals on 17 shots was replaced by Thomas Milic, who plays for the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds.

There wasn't a whole lot of action in the final period, as Czechia held on to defeat Canada for the first time at the World Juniors since December 28th, 2013.

Canada will have tomorrow off, before facing Germany on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Czechs are back in action on Tuesday night against Austria.

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