Ice Hockey Worlds: Norway Cruise Past Czechs 4-1, End 14-Year Quarter-Final

Norway stun Czech Republic to reach World Championship quarter-finals

Norway scored four unanswered goals against the Czech Republic, with goals from Salsten, Brandsegg-Nygard, Ronnild, and Ostby to seal a historic win.

After shocking Sweden, Norway defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 to advance to the Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-finals for the first time since 2010...

Norway continued their fairytale run at the Ice Hockey World Championships on Monday, beating the Czech Republic 4-1 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years. The win came after their earlier upset against Scandinavian rivals Sweden.

Before today, Norway had beaten Czechia only once, back in 2010, and had never scored four goals against them in a single game.

Both teams return to action tomorrow on the final day of the preliminary round. The Czech Republic face Canada in a highly anticipated matchup, while a win for Norway against Denmark would secure second place in the group and likely set up an easier quarter-final opponent.

  

Norway carried strong momentum into the game after their win over Sweden, and started quickly with two goals in seven minutes to take a 2-0 lead against the Czech Republic.

Havard Ostrem Salsten opened the scoring at 2:59 when he picked off a loose pass from Filip Hronek and beat Dominik Pavlat low under the glove.

The early 2-0 lead lifted Norway’s confidence, and four minutes later they made it 3-0. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard finished off a 2-on-1 play after a pass from Petter Vesterheim, sliding the puck past Pavlat.

The Czech Republic pulled one back at 15:47 of the first period when Jaroslav Chmelar sent a floating shot past Henrik Haukeland to give the favorites a way back into the game.

Big time performance from @norskishockey! 🇳🇴🔥 #MensWorlds #IIHF

🔗 Game recap: https://t.co/jME1zHOelA pic.twitter.com/G5akCXRE5T

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 25, 2026

The second period became a tight, defensive battle. Norway held firm and limited the Czechs to low-danger chances. They then extended the lead to 4-1 when Martin Ronnild tapped in a goal at 8:10 of the third period.

Kristian Ostby sealed the win at 14:17 with a high shot over Pavlat’s glove to complete Norway’s 4-1 victory.