U18 Recap: Canada Advances to Semifinal After OT Win Over Czechia
Allen, TX – Canada is through to the semifinal at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship following a 3-2 overtime win over Czechia on Wednesday.
Victoria Royals centre Cole Reschny linked up with Royals teammate Keaton Verhoeff for the overtime winner to keep Canada’s gold-medal defence alive.
The two Vancouver Giants representatives in the game – forward Cameron Schmidt and defenceman Ryan Lin – combined for eight shots on goal, but didn’t register a point. Schmidt, who is 2025 NHL draft-eligible, also had a breakaway in overtime, but was denied by goaltender Frantisek Poletin.
Giants goaltender Burke Hood is also representing Canada internationally for the first time, but is the third goaltender and has not seen any game action.
Reschny scored twice in the contest, while Tri-City Americans defender Jackson Smith had the other Canada tally, meaning all three goals came from WHL players.
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Assuming the United States beats Latvia in Wednesday night’s quarter-final, Canada will face Slovakia in the semifinal on Friday, who they beat 9-2 in the tournament opener.
Giants prospect Tobis Tomík helped Slovakia advance to the semis, registering a primary assist in their 3-2 quarter-final win over Germany on Wednesday.
