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From the very start, both teams created chances, but the scoring began only in the second period. Finland took control with two powerplay goals, while Czechia failed to convert its own opportunities. The hosts cut the deficit in the 54th minute, but Finland answered quickly and went on to add an empty-netter to seal an important 4:1 win. With the loss, Czechia now needs to beat Canada by at least three goals to make the semi-finals.
Penalties: 8:7. PP goals: 0:2. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Mejzlík, Čamra – Axman, Maňák.. Attendance: 1905.
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Early on, Czechia gave up a powerplay for a line-change error, but fended it off well. Just after the penalty, Jiko Laitinen’s shot was stopped by Poletín. Dominik Řípa had a breakaway but was denied by Gammals. Vojtěch Švancar later earned a penalty shot but failed to score. He had another chance soon after but couldn’t beat the Finnish goalie, with the first period of play plagued with interuptions and high tempers ending goalless.
In the second period, Finland broke through. Max Laatikainen set up Oscar Hemming for a goal, and just before a Czech penalty expired, Wilmer Kallio’s shot was tipped in by Luka Arkko. Despite Czech pressure—including shots from Tomek and Vaněček—Finland stayed solid with Gammals holding firm between the pipes.
Czechia started the third period aggressively but couldn’t score on a powerplay. Jiří Maxa had a great wraparound chance but couldn’t finish. In the 54th minute, Jan Trefný assisted Petr Tomek for Czechia’s sole goal of the night. However, Finland quickly responded through a Suominen shot and Suvanto rebound goalb to make it 3:1. Luka Arkko later added an empty-net goal to make it 4:1 to win Finland their first game of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.