Canada vs. Czechia: Live score, highlights, updates from 2022 World Juniors semifinals game

Canada has a shot to clinch its spot in the gold medal game, as the team takes on Czechia in the semifinals of the 2022 World Juniors today.

On Wednesday, Canada got the job done against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, coming out on top 6-3. Logan Stankoven had his best game of the tournament, scoring two goals and an assist. 

It wasn’t the best effort from Canada, but the team took advantage of Swiss turnovers in the first period to build a 4-2 lead. The Canadians let the Swiss hang around after giving up goals as a direct result of the team making mistakes in its own zone, but in the end, the Canadians got the win. 

MORE: Watch the 2022 World Juniors live with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)

Czechia enters the semifinals on a high, coming off a 4-2 upset of the USA in the quarterfinals. Czechia put together a sensational defensive game, limiting the USA’s time in the offensive zone and disrupting the team’s flow in the neutral zone.

After falling behind 1-0 thanks to a fluke goal for the Americans, the Czechs received goals from Jan Mysak, Petr Hauser and Matyas Sapovaliv to build a 3-1 lead heading into the final period. While the USA cut the deficit to one, Jiri Kulich iced the game with an empty-net goal. Tomas Suchanek made 28 saves in net, earning Player of the Game honors. 

Canada previously defeated Czechia in the preliminary round by a score of 5-1. The winner of this matchup moves on to the gold medal game, where they will play the victor of the Sweden-Finland semifinal. The two semifinal losers will square off for the bronze medal. 

The Sporting News will provide live updates and highlights from the Canada-Czechia matchup at the 2022 World Juniors.

Canada vs. Czechia score

Canada vs. Czechia live updates, highlights from 2022 World Juniors

2nd period

5:20 p.m. — What a sensational pass from Foerster in his own zone to Johnson at the far blue line. Johnson goes down on the breakaway, but Suchanek pins the puck under his right leg. That’s a huge save by Suchanek, who had not been tested yet in the second. 

5:15 p.m. — A big scrum ensues in front of Canada’s net after a chance for Czechia. A shot by Gabriel Sztruc is stopped by Garand with his glove, but he can’t hold onto it and it pops up into the air and lands on his pads. It’s all Czechia through the first five minutes, shots are 8-0 Czechis to start the second. 

5:12 p.m. — Czechia has come out in the second and been taking it to Canada. They’ve had a number of opportunities in front of Dylan Garand. It’s the kind of start they needed as they are down two. 

End 1st period: Canada 2, Czechia 0

4:48 p.m. — After 20 minutes, it’s 2-0 Canada. Czechia had a strong five or so minutes, but Canada took over after that. The Stankoven-Foerster-Johnson line has been the difference maker, as it feels every time they are out there, Canada has a great chance to score. 

4:39 p.m. — GOAL! Canada extends its lead thanks to a goal from Bedard. Not the snipe we’re used to seeing from him, but it’s enough to beat Suchanek. Ales Cech had attempted to jump up and pick off the Gaucher pass through the neutral zone to Bedard, but it hopped over his stick and allowed Bedard to come on with space on Suchanek. 

👋 Connor@HockeyCanada up 2-0 over @narodnitym #WorldJuniors #CANCZE pic.twitter.com/2bydttz03T

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 19, 2022

4:38 p.m. — Another close call for Canada by guess who? The Stankoven line. After Johnson forces a turnover right at the dot in Czechia’s zone, Stankoven fires a shot off the crossbar and outside of the net. That line is buzzing and have been the best three players on the ice. 

4:29 p.m. — Right after the Johnson goal, that same line almost scores again. Johnson was in front of the net and tried to kick the puck to his stick. It ended up going to Stankoven and he fired it on Suhcanek. The Czech goalie made the initial save and after a scramble in front, he was able to keep it out. 

4:26 p.m. — GOAL! The second line for Canada has been creating chance after chance in the first, and finally Johnson finds the back of the net. Suchanek made a sensational diving save on Foerster, who made a great move to his backhand after getting a pass in front from Stankoven. David Spacek attempts to clear the rebound, but it goes right out to Johnson and he finds twine. 1-0 Canada just over halfway through the first period. 

Kent Johnson starts off the scoring for Canada! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/OjisfvqxZS

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 19, 2022

4:21 p.m. — The Stankoven-Johnson-Foerster line has looked good to start this game. They were Canada’s best line in the quarters, and nearly put Canada up early. A David Jiricek turnover behind his net leads to a chance in front, with the puck sitting in the crease, but Foerster could not get his stick free to knock it in. 

4:17 p.m. — Excellent save by Suhcanek, as a shot from the point was deflected down and bounced up high on the goalie. He had to lunge up with his blocker to turn it aside, looks like Bedard may have been the one to tip it. 

4:14 p.m. — Brennan Othmann making his presence known right away, knocking over two Czechs in one shift. 

Pregame

3 p.m. — Dave Cameron is doing some line juggling ahead of the semifinal game. Ridly Greig is out after sustaining a lower-body injury against Switzerland. The top line and third line are complete changed — Mason McTavish’s new wings are Joshua Roy and William Dufour.  Connor Bedard and Will Cuylle slide down to the third line to play with Nathan Gaucher, who takes Greig’s spot down the middle. Riley Kidney is the extra forward. 

Here are the lines for 🇨🇦 and 🇨🇿’s semifinal. Ridly Greig (OTT) still out after getting hurt on the quarterfinal. Connor Bedard (2023) moved down to the third line. pic.twitter.com/dpigxqxYwB

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) August 19, 2022

What channel is Canada vs. Czechia on today?

• Canada: TSN 4/5
• United States: NHL Network

TSN has all the World Juniors action in Canada. In the United States, viewers can find the games on NHL Network.

Gord Miller and Mike Johnson will be on the call live in Edmonton. James Duthie and Bob McKenzie will provide analysis during intermissions.  

How to live stream World Juniors hockey games

Fans in Canada can stream all World Juniors games at TSN.ca or the TSN app. U.S. fans can stream the tournament on fuboTV (free trial), NHL.tv or the NHL app.

Canada vs. Czechia start time

• Time: 4 p.m. ET (2 p.m. MT)

The puck drops at 4 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. local time, from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta., home of the NHL’s Oilers and WHL’s Oil Kings.

MORE: Team Canada 2022 World Juniors roster, results

Canada vs. Czechia odds

• Canada: -2.5 (-169)
• Czechia: +2.5 (+123)

Canada is a 2.5-goal favorite on the puckline for the contest against Czechia at the World Juniors, according to Sports Interaction.

Canada World Juniors schedule 2022

(All times Eastern)