The Czech team, featuring Martin Necas and David Pastrnak, approaches the rematch with both excitement and determination. After jokingly suggesting they 'let Canada win the first one,' Pastrnak emphasized the need to put respect aside and play aggressively against the tournament's top seed.
Canada secured first place in the men's tournament, while Czechia enters as the lowest seed. The game, scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET Thursday, marks the first playoff meeting between the nations with NHL players since 1998, when Czechia won 2-1 in the semifinals.