canada czechia rematch looms after Necas propels Czechia into Olympic quarterfinals
Martin Necas continued his red-hot tournament form, lifting Czechia to a 3-2 qualification-round win over Denmark and into a quarterfinal showdown with powerhouse Canada. The rematch, set for 10: 40 a. m. ET, will pit the Czech team’s momentum and desperation against a Canadian roster widely viewed as the tournament favorite.
Necas fuels Czechia’s late push
Necas, the Colorado Avalanche winger, scored and assisted in the win over Denmark — his third straight multi-point outing — and now has seven points in the tournament. He shrugged off talk of pressure and embraced the moment. “I love these moments, ” Necas said. “I like to play in front of a lot of people. I like to be in this position. Finally, the last couple of years, it happened. I’m super happy for that. ”
His power-play one-timer from the left circle provided a key insurance goal and underscored why his skating and ability to attack tight spaces will be central if Czechia is to upset the heavy favorites. Captain Roman Cervenka and David Pastrnak also contributed, with Pastrnak setting up a timely rush goal to make it 3-1 in the second period. Pastrnak admitted the Czech group hasn’t yet shown its best but insisted the team will give everything in the rematch.
Canada’s depth and speed present a stiff test
Canada entered the knockout rounds after blistering group play that saw it outscore opponents by a wide margin. The top-end offensive trio of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini has been singled out for its rare combination of speed and skill. A second unit featuring veteran stars like Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner and Mark Stone further emphasizes the depth Canada brings to every matchup.
That talent and rest advantage — Canada will be on two days’ rest for the quarterfinal — shape expectations heading into the game. Yet Czechia believes a more disciplined, confident performance can narrow the gap. “This might be the best team ever. So maybe let’s put the respect aside a little bit and try to take their game to them, ” Pastrnak said. “Offensively, their power is incredible. And you know, just have to be a little stronger on pucks, play more in the O-zone, and be more confident. We have nothing to lose. So we’re going to leave it all out there. ”
Key storylines to watch in the quarterfinal
1) Special teams: Czechia’s power play was decisive against Denmark and will need to stay disciplined and sharp with the man advantage. Canada’s power play, driven by elite puck movers, will test Czechia’s penalty-killing structure throughout the game.
2) Matchups and grit: Canada’s top lines can tilt a game in seconds, but physicality and puck battles along the boards could create turnovers and transition chances for the Czechs. How well Czechia protects its net and clears rebounds will matter late in the contest.
3) Fatigue factor: Czechia will be playing its fifth game in seven days, while Canada enjoys more rest. Conditioning and unscripted raising of intensity late in the game could favor the squad with fresher legs, though momentum can erase that edge quickly.
The rematch carries historical weight as well; this will be the first Olympic playoff meeting between these nations with NHL-caliber players in decades. For Czechia, the matchup is both a test and a chance to rewrite earlier tournament history. For Canada, it is a step in a march toward the medal rounds that few teams expect to interrupt.
Puck drop is scheduled for 10: 40 a. m. ET, and both teams will bring clear objectives: Canada to maintain its dominance, Czechia to prove that a tight, opportunistic performance can topple a giant.
