Defending Champions Czech Republic Beat Switzerland 5-4 in OT

The Czech Republic ice hockey team defeats Switzerland 5-4 in overtime at the World Championship, with Roman Cervenka scoring the winning goal.

The Czech Republic, reigning champions of the IIHF World Championship, secured a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory over Switzerland in their opening match. The game was a replay of last year's final, where Czechia won 2-0. This time, the Swiss team couldn't replicate their group stage performance from the previous year, where they finished second in Group A behind Canada.

Trailing 2-0 and 3-2, the Czech team staged an impressive comeback. However, Switzerland regained the lead, only for Lukas Sedlak to equalize with a crucial goal in the 57th minute, sending the game into overtime. Ultimately, Radim Zohorna didn't score in overtime in this match but Filip Chervenka scored the winning goal in overtime securing a win for the Czech Republic.

The game was decided at 63:30 when captain Roman Cervenka scored the winning goal. Earlier, the Swiss had a strong start, taking the lead just 94 seconds in when Christian Marti's shot from the corner caught Vejmelka off guard, slipping past him above his right shoulder.

Switzerland maintained their momentum, scoring again in the sixth minute when the puck slipped behind the Czech goalie. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside call, denying Sandro Schmid's celebration. The Czechs' first significant chance came in the 18th minute with Ondrej Beránek's breakaway, but a foul prevented him from finishing. David Pastrnak subsequently missed a penalty shot.

Less than a minute later, Damien Riat scored on the rebound, giving Switzerland a 2-0 lead. The Czechs responded with a power play at the end of the first period, capitalizing on a 5-on-3 advantage with Matej Stranský scoring.

In the second period, Leonardo Genoni made key saves for Switzerland until Filip Zadina scored in the 27th minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1 no, it was 2-2.

PRVNÍ DÁNSKÉ BODY NA KONTĚ! ✅

Dramatický zápas se Švýcary má nakonec sladkou tečku. 👊 Roman Červenka rozhodl o vítězství v prodloužení a oplácíme tak Švýcarům porážku ze skupiny loňského šampionátu. 👏#SUICZE #MensWorlds #narodnitym pic.twitter.com/fKzlUSpm2e

— Český hokej (@czehockey) May 9, 2025

After equalizing, the Czechs dominated possession and capitalized on the pressure. Filip Pyrochta scored the go-ahead goal in the 36th minute with a shot from the blue line. Daniel Voženílek added to the lead, using a clever screen to beat Leonardo Genoni.

The Swiss had a stronger start to the third period, capitalizing on a power play with a beautiful combination that resulted in Schmid scoring. They further extended their lead when Sven Andrighetto took advantage of a hesitation from David Pastrňák, skillfully maneuvering between the circles and scoring past goalie Vejmelka in the 49th minute, making it 4-3 in favor of Switzerland.

Obránce Jakub Krejčík po výhře nad Švýcarskem: Zvykali jsme si na širší led. Výkony budou jenom lepší. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ghdCCEtnVu

— Český hokej (@czehockey) May 9, 2025

The Czechs equalized in the 57th minute during a power play, with Lukáš Sedlak scoring from close range. The game went into overtime, where Roman Červenka scored the winning goal in the 63rd minute, thanks to a great pass from David Pastrňák.