It was arguably Canada’s most competitive game at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships thus far.
In the end, Prince George Cougar goaltender Taylor Gauthier and his teammates won the right to potentially medal at the bubble tournament in Edmonton after shutting out the Czech Republic 3-0 in the quarter-finals Saturday night (Jan. 2).
As a result, fellow Cat Filip Koffer has been eliminated after playing in all five competitive games at his first World Juniors and fourth major international event for his home country.
Gauthier has yet to suit up on the ice (or bench) for Canada, but is still hoping to become the first Prince George Cougar to ever win a gold medal with Canada at the Under-20 event.
The Czechs fought to the very end and seemingly matched the Canadians in the offensive zone with shots going 29-25 in their favour.
Koffer finished the game with a minus-one (-1) rating and 14:09 of ice time, which was the most by a fourth-liner on his bench.
The 19-year-old’s biggest moment of the World Juniors came on Dec. 27 when he scored the eventual game-winning goal against Russia, leading to a 2-0 upset victory for the Czech Republic.
.@PGCougars’ Filip Koffer scores to give 🇨🇿 a 1-0 lead 🆚 🇷🇺 late in the middle period in his country’s 2nd game of the 2021 World Jr.’s! The 4th-liner takes a drop pass & fires the puck past the goaltender | #CityOfPG #WorldJuniors @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/RBGKF5GflB
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 28, 2020
After that game, Head Coach Karel Mlejnek had some encouraging words about Koffer, who was the final cut from the 2020 roster and missed the chance to play on his home soil a year ago.
“It wasn’t an easy game for us but everyone did their part,” said Mlejnek when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters.
“Filip is a very hardworking guy. He’s a power forward that every coach wants to have on his team and we’re happy to have him.”
Koffer’s final numbers included a combined minus-two (-2) despite the Czechs getting outscored 17-10, earned 74:23 of ice time through five games, including a tournament-high 17:43 in the rout of Russia, and five shots on goal.
Unless otherwise, Koffer is still eligible to return for the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championships, which are also scheduled to take place in Edmonton by virtue of COVID-19.
The Czech Republic finished fourth in group ‘B’ play with a 2-2 record, while Canada went undefeated at 4-0 in group ‘A’, earning the number-one seed in the playoff round.
Goaltender Devon Levi posted a 29-save shutout, Dylan Cozens had a goal and an assist for the host country, while Connor McMichael scored into an empty net and defenceman Bowen Byram also scored at Rogers Place.
Gauthier and the Canadians will play their semi-final contest on Monday afternoon (Jan. 4) at 3 p.m. Pacific time against Russia.
Canada beat the Russians 1-0 in their lone exhibition game prior to the preliminary round.
- with a file from The Canadian Press
Koffer finished with 22 shifts & 14:09 of ice time 🆚 🇨🇦, the most among his team’s 4th liners. He finished -1, took 1 face-off & lost.
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) January 3, 2021
Overall, a solid tournament for Koffer! He played his role well, kept Czechs in play & was a quiet force when needed | #CityOfPG #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ZkAAcizZuy
