Szturc And Czechia Stun Americans In Quarters At World Juniors
August 18, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Forward Gabriel Szturc with Czechia
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Kelowna Rockets forward Gabriel Szturc and Czechia made the tournament's biggest upset thus far, sending the Americans packing with a 4-2 victory in last night's quarter-final matchup at the 2022 World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alta.
Entering the game the Czechs were considered the underdog, having only won one of four games during the preliminary round, while the Americans were a perfect 4-0.
The Americans jumped out to a 1-0 lead 12:03 into the first, but Hamilton Bulldog Jan Mysak tipped a shot to tie up the game before the end of the first.
Cape Breton Eagles forward Ivan Ivan and Saginaw Spirit forward Matyas Sapovaliv pushed Czechia ahead in the second with a pair of goals.
With a scramble in front of the net, the U.S. crashed the net making it a one-goal game with 11:31 to play in the third. Czechia kept their cool, adding an empty netter in the final minutes of the game to regain a two-goal cushion.
Szturc posted a shot on goal through 18:22 of ice time.
The U.S. outshot Czechia 30 to 24, Tri-City American goalie Tomas Suchanek stood tall all night long for Czechia making 28 saves.
Czechia will now face Canada on Friday in a 1:00 pm PT semifinal matchup, Sweden and Finland will battle in the other matchup.
Images from this story
 Forward Gabriel Szturc with Czechia (Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images) |
Western Hockey League Stories from August 18, 2022
- 2022 ENMAX Training Camp Schedule Set - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Five Silvertips Are Semifinal-Bound as Finland, Canada, Czechia All Advance - Everett Silvertips
- Szturc And Czechia Stun Americans In Quarters At World Juniors - Kelowna Rockets
- Rysavy, Czechia off to World Junior Semifinals - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Announce Hiring of Kyle Gustafson as Associate Coach - Portland Winterhawks
- Kamloops Blazers Promote Robbie Sandland to Assistant GM - Kamloops Blazers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Kelowna Rockets Stories
- Ten Rockets Participating in NHL Development Camps
- Two Rockets Selected in 2025 NHL Draft
- Rockets Name Legendary WHL Coach Don Hay as Associate Coach; Martin Named Head Coach
- Rockets Alumnus Duncan Keith Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
- Rockets Unveil 2025-26 Regular Season Schedule as Memorial Cup Countdown Begins
