Adam Jiricek scored with 1:21 left in overtime to secure a 2-1 win for Czechia over Finland in a Group B game at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The victory came on the tournament's fourth day in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Matej Kubiesa had given Czechia the lead earlier on a power play.
The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship continued on Monday in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, with Czechia earning a crucial overtime victory against Finland at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus.
Czechia, now 1-1-0-1 in Group B, took the lead at 1:52 of the first period when Matej Kubiesa, eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, scored on the power play. Kubiesa initiated the breakout, passing to Vojtech Cihar of the Los Angeles Kings, who fed Tomas Galvas before Kubiesa finished from the top of the left face-off circle.
Finland equalized late in the third period at 19:40, with Emil Hemming of the Dallas Stars converting a one-timer from the front of the net after a pass from Leo Tuuva with goaltender Petteri Rimpinen pulled for an extra attacker. Rimpinen, from the Los Angeles Kings, made 23 saves in the loss, while Finland fell to 2-0-1-0.
In overtime, Petr Sikora of the Washington Capitals found Jiricek, also of the St. Louis Blues, alone in front after he momentarily lost his way in the offensive zone. Jiricek deked the puck between his skates and roofed it under the crossbar. Czechia goaltender Michael Orsulak, eligible for 2026, stopped 22 shots for the win.
"Just gold hands," Czechia coach Patrik Augusta said of Jiricek. "He showed confidence and really good skills. A great pass by Sikora also to find him there."
After Finland tied the game, Augusta rallied his team: "I just told them, don't feel sorry for yourself. That's hockey, those things happen, and just let's go out there and win the game. And they were good enough to do it."
Finland captain Aron Kiviharju reflected, "I thought we would have done a better job in the second, but we're not able to get our engine going there. But I really liked our way we did our things in the third... obviously a bad ending for us."
Czechia defenseman Radim Mrtka, the No. 8 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, made his tournament debut after missing the first two games due to an undisclosed injury. He played 17:11 and said, "I love to play for the national team, so it's been a pleasure, and I'm grateful that we won that game."
Both teams are back in action Wednesday, with Czechia facing Latvia at 3:30 p.m. ET and Finland taking on Canada at 8:30 p.m. ET. All games are broadcast on NHL Network in the U.S. and TSN in Canada.
