Czechia enters the Olympic men’s hockey qualification round in Milan needing a win over Denmark on Tuesday to keep its tournament alive and set up a quarterfinal against top-seeded Canada. A loss would end its run with only one victory — a 6-3 result against France — and invite scrutiny of a team that expected more.
Mixed Results in the Preliminary Round
The preliminary round brought mixed results for Czechia. Canada dominated Czechia 5-0, while France briefly led in a wild middle frame before Czechia pulled away with a 6-3 victory. Additionally, Switzerland edged the Czechs 4-3 in overtime after a late Czech equalizer. Players and staff acknowledged that the group has yet to deliver a complete 60-minute performance but believe the team has made progress with each outing.
Czechia’s focus now shifts to tightening details. Coaches want fewer turnovers, quicker decisions in the defensive zone, calmer puck management, and more communication on the ice. Speed is viewed as a key advantage, provided the team avoids lateral, slow-developing plays. The group points to strong commitment and work rate but accepts that execution must improve with elimination at stake.
Denmark presents a physical, defense-first challenge. The Danes outshot Germany 38-26 in a 3-1 defeat, pushed the United States before falling 6-3, and beat Latvia 4-2 — a notable result given Latvia’s win over Germany. Czechia expects a close, hard-checking game at Santagiulia Arena.
The winner advances to face Canada in the quarterfinals, offering Czechia either a chance at a statement upset or an abrupt exit from Milan. With the stakes higher than ever, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Czechia can rise to the occasion and secure their spot in the next round.