Canada rolls past Czechia, sets up rematch with Finland for gold

For the third consecutive IIHF World Championship, it will be Canada and Finland in the gold-medal game.

Canada scored six unanswered goals to defeat Czechia 6-1 in the semifinals Saturday.

The Canadians got off to a rough start, taking eight minutes worth of penalties in the first period, but they limited Czechia's red-hot power play to just one goal. Dylan Cozens notched the equalizer in the final minute of the frame to give Canada momentum heading into the intermission.

Then the onslaught started.

Adam Lowry, 19-year-old Kent Johnson, and Mathew Barzal scored in the second period to extend Canada's lead to 4-1. Cole Sillinger found twine in the third before Cozens added his second to make it 6-1.

Chris Driedger was stellar between the pipes, making 24 saves. He also stopped David Pastrnak on a penalty shot in the third period.

Canada is seeking back-to-back gold medals having defeated Finland in the final a year ago. Canada took home silver in 2019 after losing to the Finns. There was no tournament in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Czechia will take on the United States in the bronze-medal game.

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