Para Worlds Preview: Canada vs. Czechia
Tuesday, May 30 | 7 p.m. MT | Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan | Preliminary Round
Coming off a big win on Monday night, Canada’s National Para Hockey Team is back to work as it faces off against Czechia in its second preliminary-round game at the 2023 World Para Hockey Championship.
Last Game
Canada started the tournament off with a bang, routing Korea 15-1 on Monday night. Dominic Cozzolino registered four goals and four assists while recording his 100th international career point with Team Canada. James Dunn and Tyler McGregor both had five-point nights, with McGregor reaching his 200th international career point with the first goal of the game. Canada outshot Korea 42-6. Czechia is coming off a 7-1 loss to the United States on Monday morning. Filip Vesely had the lone goal for the Czechs, capitalizing on a turnover in the second period. Martin Kudela made 22 saves as Czechia was outshot 29-10.
Last Meeting
Canada blanked the Czechs 7-0 in the 2022 Para Hockey Cup semifinals last December in Bridgewater, N.S. Liam Hickey and Dominic Cozzolino each had five points, combining for two goals and eight assists, while Tyler McGregor recorded a hat trick and had a helper for a four-point night.
What To Watch
If it isn’t McGregor making history with his 200th point wearing the Maple Leaf, then how about Raphaëlle Tousignant? The 20-year-old trailblazer made history on Monday by becoming the first woman to play for Canada’s National Para Hockey Team at a major international event. In her first game of the tournament, Tousignant made an impact on the ice, recording a shot on net and coming just short of registering her first goal with Canada's National Para Hockey Team.
Michal Geier has been an offensive staple for Czechia ever since his debut at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, recording six points (4-2—6) in Beijing in his fourth Paralympic experience. Czechia is also backed by a pair of veteran netminders, Martin Kudela and Michal Vapekna, with the latter surrendering just five goals at the most recent Paralympics in Beijing.
Look Back
Canada’s record against Czechia is one of perfection, having won all 12 games.
These countries first met at the 2009 world championship on Czech ice, where Canada downed the hosts 3-0 in a game that saw Billy Bridges, Canada’s all-time leading scorer, net a pair of goals.
All-time record: Canada leads 12-0-0 Canada goals: 51 Czechia goals: 2
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