Czech Red U16 Team Falls Short in the Bronze Battle, While Team White Defeats Hungary for Fifth Place

On the final day of the championship, both U16 teams competed in placement matches. The Czech Red team played for the bronze medal against the United States, but the Americans outshot our players. The Czech White team managed to beat Hungary, securing fifth place.

U16: Czechia Red vs. USA 1:3 (1:0, 0:1, 0:2)

Goals and assists: 7. Chýle (Hradil, Fiala) - 23. Basilio (Nasuti, Goss), 39. Moore (penalty shot), 44. Weldon.

In the bronze medal game in the U16 category, the Czech Red team faced off against the USA. The match was intense and emotional from the very first second. The Czechs started more aggressively and took the lead in the seventh minute with a goal by Jonáš Chýle. The Americans pushed hard to equalize before the end of the period, but goalie Ondřej Charvát made several excellent saves to maintain a shutout.

The second period started evenly, but in the 23rd minute, Ian Basilio scored to tie the game at 1:1. The Czechs had several opportunities to regain the lead, but their efforts were hampered by frequent penalties. Grof, Hasal, and Chýle were all sent to the penalty box. On the USA side, Jackson Nasuti received a five-minute major penalty. The score remained 1:1 after the second period.

In the third period, both teams pushed hard to take the lead. In the 39th minute, the Americans converted a penalty shot, which Joey Moore scored with confidence. The Czechs tried to equalize, but more penalties slowed their efforts. Shortly after Filip Grof returned from the penalty box, Mac Weldon scored the USA’s third goal, which decided the game. In the final minutes, the Czechs pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort, but it didn’t change the outcome. The Czechs finished in fourth place. The game once again featured a video challenge.

Reactions from Czech Red U16 Head Coach Pavel Štefka:

“In today’s game, the issues that plagued us throughout the tournament were evident. We failed to convert power plays and the chances we created, while conceding goals on the penalty kill, which ultimately decided the game. We are disappointed with the tournament, as we aimed for a medal, especially after last year’s U16 victory in Liberec. Our only solace is the win against a strong Canada, but overall, the disappointment prevails.”

U16: Czechia White vs. Hungary 6:2 (3:1, 1:1, 2:0)

Goals and assists: 2. Našinec (Pavlík, Kořínek), 7. L. Mašek (Havlík, Martinů), 9. Kořínek (Našinec, Maxima), 16. Kořínek (Našinec, Martinů), 33. Roztočil (Kořínek, Našinec), 35. Martinů - 5. Boroznaki (Apostol, Brehel), 20. Ákos Brehel (Szénási, Boroznaki).

The Czech White team started the game strongly, taking the lead in the second minute. Našinec opened the scoring after a combination with Kořínek and Pavlík. The Hungarians quickly responded when Boroznaki capitalized on a power play to tie the game at 1:1. However, the Czechs continued their aggressive play, with goals from Mašek and Kořínek extending the lead to 3:1.

In the second period, the Czechs maintained their pressure and added a fourth goal. A series of penalties followed, allowing Hungary a five-on-three power play, which they used to cut the deficit to 4:2. No more goals were scored in the second period, so the teams headed to the locker rooms with Czechia leading 4:2.

The third period was filled with stoppages, scuffles, and penalties. The game was often fragmented, with the referees handing out over 100 penalty minutes. This style of play detracted from the overall flow of the game. Nevertheless, the Czechs managed to add two more goals, sealing a 6:2 victory and securing fifth place in the tournament.

Reactions from Czech White U16 Head Coach Jan Orlich:

“We were well-prepared for this game. We wanted to win and build on the previous victory against Hungary. The match occasionally got out of hand, but the players managed it and saw it through to a win. We are very happy with the outcome. The boys played great throughout the tournament, and we are very proud of their performance against the USA. We hope they can continue these successes in the future.”