Czechia became the first team in the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Men’s World Championship to finish its group stage schedule on Sunday afternoon, defeating Denmark by a score of 9-1. The Czechs currently sit first in the group with nine points, but could fall to second before Group B is done. Nonetheless, they know they will remain in Bratislava for Wednesday’s quarter-finals.
“I think we played easier,” said defenceman Ondrej Ruml, who had two assists in the game. “We tried to shoot everything from the top and it was easier to play our game than yesterday (against Germany).”
The Czechs now have two days off. “I think it’s a really good thing because we can rest tomorrow or have an easier practice and then be ready for the quarter-finals,” said Ruml.
As for the Danes, they could have wrapped up a quarter-final berth with a win. They’re still in good shape to advance, however, as they lead Germany by a point heading into Monday’s action.
“I think we came out pretty well in the first period, we took some good things from the game against the USA, but we kinda fell off the last two periods and we just met a better team today,” said Danish captain Mikkel Poulsen.
Czechia outshot Denmark 40-10 in the game. Defenceman Vaclav Nedorost had a goal and four assists for Czechia and forward Dominik Ripa, the overtime hero against the USA, scored once and added two helpers.
“Last game, we lost against Germany, so we talked about what we could do better this game,” said Nedorost. As for his game point-wise, he said, “I’m pretty happy I was able to help the team take the win.”
Not wanting a repeat of their performance against Germany, the Czechs returned to their forechecking style that was successful against the USA and Sweden, and scored the game’s first two goals.
The first goal at 4:35 was the result of Ripa driving to the net. He was taken down by a Danish defender, but with goalie Daniel Navrbjerg distracted by the chaos in front of him, Michal Sebesta roofed the puck from a sharp angle. Six minutes later, Ruml’s point shot hit the stick of Daniel Huk and sailed past a screened Navrbjerg.
Denmark’s lone goal of the game came 47 seconds later when Sebastian Degn found Lucas Althof in the slot, and his quick shot beat Martin Psohlavec to the glove side to make it a 2-1 game after one period.
Two goals in the first half of the middle frame effectively put the game away for Czechia. Three minutes into the period, it was another deflection goal, with Dominick Byrtus shooting and David Sedlacek tipping. Then, just shy of the game’s midpoint, Navrbjerg was once again dealing with heavy traffic and was beaten by a shot to the glove side by Josef Holejsovsky. Danish coach Flemming Green challenged the play for goaltender interference but the goal stood, extending the Czech lead to 4-1.
Sedlacek’s second of the game made it 5-1 late in the second period, and then Ripa scored his second of the game and Nedorost got his goal early in the third, making it 7-1. After Victor Damgaard replaced Navrberg in the Danish goal, Matej Tomanek and Sebesta's second rounded out the scoring, making it a 9-1 final score
