Czech Republic versus USA hockey in World Juniors semi-finals preview, important matches

OTTAWA Standing between the U.S. and its second consecutive trip to the gold medal game at the World Junior Championships is a Czech team that just defeated Canada in Canada and punched its ticket to a fourth consecutive semifinal. Team USA meets Team Czechia on Saturday at 7:30 PM ET at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa.

It's a great match between teams of competing styles, but also teams with a lot of international experience and very similar numbers at this tournament so far. This will certainly be a difficult match.

Team USA is coming off a first-place finish in Group A, including an overtime loss to Finland. The Czech Republic finished second in Group B with their only defeat against Sweden. All the top seeds won their quarterfinals, so we have the top four teams on record still alive in this tournament.

Here's what you need to know about Team USA and Team Czech Republic

Team USA based on the numbers going into the semifinals

• Record: 4-0-1-0
• Goals scored for: 29 | Rank: T-1
• Goals against: 12 | Rank T-3
• Power play efficiency: 7-for-21 (33.3%) | Rank: 2
• Penalty killing efficiency: 15-for-19 (78.95%) | Rank: 5
• Team Save Percentage: .920 | Rank: 3

According to the figures, Team Czech Republic will advance to the semi-finals

• Record: 4-0-0-1
• Goals scored for: 29 | Rank T-1
• Goals against: 12 | Rank: T-3
• Power play efficiency: 5-for-18 (27.8%) | Rank: 5
• Penalty killing efficiency: 18-for-22 (81.8%) | Rank: 4
• Team Save Percentage: .916 | Rank: 5

Most important matches in the US-Czech Republic semi-final

American speed versus Czech defense speed

The US is a fast team, probably faster than Canada, that will pose challenges for the Czech defense corps, who were perhaps the unsung heroes of the quarterfinal victory against the tournament hosts. They all played quite well managed minutes, with no Czech defender playing more than 20 minutes in the match.

It is a nice luxury to be able to spread out the minutes and rely on your D-corps. Now that group will get a day to rest and see what they can do with the American attack, which will pose different challenges than Canada.

The US has a team that can do a bit more east-west and will use their feet well in transition. The American D-corps is just good enough at moving pucks throughout the lineup to get them forward quickly. As a result, the US can get behind the defense and send more pucks to the net from close range.

Keeping the top line in check is one thing, but the US finally has an effective mix on their second line in Danny Nelson (NYI), Oliver Moore (CHI) and Brodie Ziemer (BUF), forcing each team to work to get out of the problems to come. their region. Nelson was one of the most underrated players in this tournament. He has been an important factor, especially at five-a-side when it comes to generating and getting scoring chances.

Across the US lineup, the speed factor will be a potential differentiator. But the Czech defense was able to contain Canada's skill and speed with a commitment to team defense, taking away the middle of the ice and not cheating on offense.

Adam Jiricek (STL) and Jakub Dvorak (LAK) are a solid duo that will play a lot of key minutes, while Tomas Galvas and Vojtech Husinecky will be the main duo that will see most of the ice. Galvas is also a dangerous power play weapon.

Even the Czech Republic's third duo, Vojtech Port (ANA) and Jakub Fibigr (SEA), have made their presence known at this tournament. They are not pushovers and play big minutes.

Every player, one through seven at the back, has what it takes to fuel this American scoring attack.

Depth on depth matchup will be even

This Czech team has some legitimate depth throughout the lineup. Eduard Sale (SEA) played this tournament as an elite winger and was a real leader for the Czech Republic both as captain and offensively. But he is not a one-man show.

Adam Jecho (STL) has played down the Czech Republic's lineup but is still getting quality minutes and he scored the match winner late against Canada. Petr Sikora (WSH), together with Jakub Stancl (STL), can be a real difference maker on the second Czech line.

Meanwhile, Miroslav Holinka (TOR) will be the man you see in some of the most critical shifts. He played more than 21 minutes against Canada because this technical staff explicitly trusts him in all situations.

We've already mentioned how good the Czech Blue Line is too. It's going to be a battle.

The US, like them, will need contributions from its third and fourth lines. Carey Terrance (ANA) has become the new anchor of a third line that also includes Teddy Stiga (NSH) and a rotating cast of wingers, including Trevor Connelly (VGK).

The US top six can do the job, but if they get shut down you need some other guys to step up.

That can also be somewhat mitigated by America's best defensemen, but as we've seen in games, the rest of that blue line is at its best when the game is simplified immensely. The US depth defenders do not have to deploy too much offensively anyway. There is plenty of talent up front.

Trey Augustine vs. Michael Hrabal

Michael Hrabal (UTA) can literally say something: no goalkeeper in the history of the World Juniors can beat Canada twice in the quarter-finals. It's never happened before, so he gets that distinction. Meanwhile, he will face a fellow NCAA goaltender who has already won a gold medal in this tournament. So there is another beast for Hrabal to kill.

Trey Augustine (DET) is expected to start for the USA in the semi-finals and medal match. He's been here twice before. He lost one against Canada as a 17-year-old and beat Finland in a close game last year, where he was probably the best player in the US.

There is no doubt that this is a legitimate goaltending duel. Hrabal has played all but one match at this tournament so far, posting a .921 save percentage across four starts. Augustine has made three appearances, with a tough start against Germany and Finland, but a great performance against Canada. His save percentage is .914.

Augustine is now USA Hockey's all-time leader in wins by a goaltender at the World Juniors with 11. I'll try to extend that lead, but will be up against a goaltender who has, for the most part, done his best in this tournament, except for a defeat against Sweden.

This will be an exciting goaltending battle between two guys returning to college campuses after this tournament, with Augustine returning to Michigan State and Hrabal returning to UMass.

Players to Watch in USA vs. Czech Republic Semi-final

Eduard Sale, Czech Republic, LW (SEA)

He is one of the most reliable scorers in this tournament so far, with five goals. He played this tournament with tremendous poise and precision. If he goes all out, he can be as good as any striker in the tournament, with enough touch and hockey sense to make the opposition pay. His goal in the final seconds of the first period against Canada put the entire team on their heels. He is hungry for more than competing again in the bronze medal game.

Danny Nelson, US, C (NYI)

One of Team USA's true drivers at this tournament, Nelson was an offensive force, strong on the power play and possibly the USA's most consistent player at five-on-five. His size and strength are there, but he adds more touch and finish to his game. Honestly, he should probably have a few more points. Nelson is tied for the team lead with four goals.

Adam Jiricek, Czech, D (STL)

After getting injured in this tournament last year, Jiricek has come back and played a big role, just like his brother David did two years earlier. He has four assists while making good decisions with the puck and being disruptive in his own zone. He's been on the ice against goals before, but I think his ability to move pucks and read plays will serve him well in this game.

Zeev Buium, US, D (MIN)

I thought Buium has gotten better with every game in the tournament, but we still haven't seen him really attack. With Czech talent at all positions, the US needs contributions from the entire lineup, and a little more from Buium would likely go a long way. He has four points and is averaging 24 minutes per game. I expect that he will be used intensively at an early stage.

Jakub Stancl, Czech Republic, C/W (STL)

Stancl leads the Czechs with eight points and puts himself in the right place at the right time. There's nothing super flashy about his game, but he has some size and can play in the middle of the ice. He has been crucial for the Czech Republic to ensure Sale doesn't always have to be the go-to guy.

James Hagens, USA, C (2025)

I really liked Hagens throughout the tournament, but he didn't have any points in any of the American matches against stronger opponents in the preliminary round. He is a driver along the lines of Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, but was still looking for that real breakthrough against one of the big teams. Hagens needs to be a factor in the matches with the strictest controls and this will be his best chance to show that. He is currently tied for second in the tournament with eight points.

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