IIHF U18: USA Rallies in the Third to Defeat Czechia 4–2

Team USA stormed back in the third period to earn a thrilling 4–2 victory over Czechia at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, erasing a late deficit with three unanswered goals. The win showcased the Americans’ grit, depth, and late-game execution in a high-stakes Men’s Worlds matchup.

Goals from Blake Fiddler, Will Horcoff, and Jacob Kvasnicka sealed the comeback, capping off a fast-paced, physical contest between two disciplined teams.

First Period

The opening frame saw both teams feel each other out with structured defensive play and timely goaltending. Team USA struck first midway through the period. At 08:03, forward #25 Mikey Berchild buried an even-strength goal off a crisp passing play from #18 L.J. Mooney and #10 Drew Schock, giving the Americans a 1–0 lead.

Czechia’s best opportunity came late in the period when #14 Will Moore was assessed a high-sticking penalty at 19:27, setting up a power play to start the second. Both goaltenders—#29 Patrick Quinlan for the U.S. and #2 Michal Orsulak for Czechia—were solid between the pipes.

Second Period

Czechia capitalized early in the middle frame. On the carryover power play, #3 Radim Mrtka found the equalizer at 20:26, finishing a setup from goaltender #2 Orsulak, who registered the lone assist. The goal tied the game 1–1 and shifted momentum in Czechia’s favor.

Physical play intensified as the period progressed. Multiple minor penalties were handed out, including roughing calls at 45:26 against #26 Matthew Lansing (USA) and #25 Matej Pekar (CZE), and a too-many-players penalty for the U.S. at 46:36. Neither team found the go-ahead marker before the horn sounded, sending the game into the final period deadlocked.

Third Period

The final frame delivered high drama and back-and-forth action. Despite being down a skater, Czechia struck first. At 43:33, #8 Vit Zahejski scored a stunning shorthanded goal, jumping on a loose puck and finishing cleanly past Quinlan. The assist went to #19 Stepan Cerny, and Czechia took a 2–1 lead.

Team USA answered with resilience with a bit of defiance mixed in.

At 55:47, defenseman #3 Blake Fiddler ripped the tying goal through traffic, thanks to a well-executed setup by Mooney and Berchild, knotting the game 2–2.

Momentum fully swung to the U.S. just two minutes later. At 57:43, #22 Will Horcoff crashed the net and poked home the go-ahead goal, assisted by #14 Will Moore and Fiddler, giving Team USA a 3–2 edge.

Czechia pulled their goalie in the final minute in a desperate attempt to even the score, but the United States sealed the victory. With just seven seconds left on the clock (59:53), #7 Jacob Kvasnicka found the empty net after a heads-up pass from #9 Jack Murtagh, locking in a 4–2 final score.

IIHF Photo Gallery – Czechia vs United States – 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship

Standings After Day One

Up Next

Team USA’s comeback effort showcased their depth, composure, and physicality. They’ll look to build on this momentum as tournament play continues. Czechia, meanwhile, will need to regroup ahead of their next matchup, knowing they held the lead deep into regulation.

Team USA is set to face Switzerland today, April 24, 2025, in their second preliminary round game of the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. The game will take place at 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET) at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas, and will be broadcast live on NHL Network.