Jakub Stankel scored with 11 seconds left in the third period to lead the Czechs to a 3-2 victory over Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2024 World Junior Championships.
Stankel scored his second goal of the game when his shot deflected off Canadian defender Oliver Bonk and went past Matisse Rousseau.
The Czechs took a 2-0 lead after the first half as Stankel opened the scoring in just under eight minutes when he received a pass from Dominique Raymond and beat Rousseau on the blocking side.
They doubled their lead late in the period as Tomas Cibulka's shot from the blue line through traffic beat Rousseau through the five-slot. Jiri Kulic had the assist on goal.
This is the first time the Czech Republic has beaten Canada in the medal round at a World Junior Championships and ends Canada's quest for a third straight gold medal at the tournament.
Forward MacLean Celebrini and defensemen Maverick Lamoureux and Denton Matychuk were named Canada's top three players by management.
Canada went into the second half when Matthew Wood raced in behind the Czech defense to beat goaltender Michael Hrabal with assists from Easton Cowan and Brayden Jagr.
Defenseman Jake Furlong scored the equalizer late in the period to make it 2-2 after receiving a pass from Matthew Poitras and his shot from the point went past Hrabal.
Hrabbel stopped 28 shots for the Czech Republic as they advanced to the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, Finland beat Slovakia 4-3 in overtime in the first quarter-final to advance to the semi-finals.
