World Juniors HC Dave Cameron makes his feelings known after Canada's upsetting elimination by Czechia

Canada’s head coach, Dave Cameron, reflected on the team’s quarterfinal loss to Czechia at the World Junior Championship. Canada lost 4-3 after Adam Jecho scored the winning goal on a power play with 39.4 seconds left. Petr Sikora, Jakub Stancl, and Eduard Sale also scored for Czechia. Goalie Michael Hrabal made 29 saves.

Hockey reporter Scott Wheeler tweeted Dave Cameron’s remarks:

“I think this tournament was exactly what I knew it was going to be coming in. It was going to be 3-4 teams that could win it, there was going to be no easy to win games, you’ve got to win those sudden death games. It just verified that that’s exactly what it is.”

Canada’s goals came from Tanner Howe, Porter Martone and Bradly Nadeau. Nadeau scored a late equalizer with just over four minutes remaining, but Andrew Gibson’s penalty gave Czechia the advantage to secure the win.

Canada struggled throughout the tournament, finishing with the lowest shooting percentage among ten teams. They also had discipline issues, particularly in their 4-1 loss to the U.S., where they gave up three power-play goals.

Canada canceled the morning skate prior to the quarterfinal game. Previously they had canceled practice before a loss to Latvia and the USA.

Responding to the reason, Cameron said:

“Because we’re exhausted. There’s no system for tired hockey players.”

This is Canada’s second consecutive quarterfinal exit at the World Juniors. Czechia, last year’s silver medalists, will now play against the United States in the semifinals. Sweden and Finland will compete for the other spot in the final.

Coach Dave Cameron’s previous remarks on the 4-1 loss to the U.S.

Canada's lack of discipline hurt them earlier in a 4-1 loss to the United States at the World Juniors. The Canadians gave up three goals to American power plays. That day coach Dave Cameron expressed his disappointment with the team:

"I can't address it, they know it," Dave Cameron said (via Sportnet). "They know the penalties are penalties. They have to decide. It's simple as that... It's an individual thing, it's a character thing... They've been dangling there, and they really got burned tonight. I think lesson learned."

Cole Hutson had given the U.S. the lead with a power-play goal in the first period. Bradly Nadeau tied the game in the third. But Danny Nelson quickly put the U.S. ahead again. Cole Eiserman added another power-play goal, and Ryan Leonard sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

Carter George made 24 saves for Canada, while U.S. goalie Trey Augustine had 38. Despite chances on the power play, Canada couldn’t score.