Canada holds off Czechia for 3-2 win, advances to semifinals at women's worlds

Canada's Renata Fast, left, celebrates with teammates Nicole Gosling, centre, and Rebecca Leslie after scoring her side's third goal during a quarterfinal match between Canada and Czechia at the Women's Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning, Denmark, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

HERNING — Renata Fast’s second-period goal stood as the winner as Canada held off Czechia 3-2 in the women’s world hockey championship quarterfinals Friday.

Sarah Fillier and Rebecca Leslie also scored for Canada, which went undefeated in four games with a plus-25 goal differential in pool play.

Ève Gascon made 14 saves at KVIK Hockey Arena.

Kristyna Kaltounkova replied with a pair of power-play goals for Czechia, while Noemi Neubauerov tallied two assists.

Klara Peslarova stopped 38 shots in the Czech net.

Canada will face Finland in Sunday’s semifinals. The Finns, who fell 2-0 to Canada in Group B action, blanked Germany 6-0 on Friday.

After a goalless first period, Canada struck twice early in the second. Fillier scored 1:29 into the period when she pounced on a loose puck in front of the net, then Leslie ripped a wrist shot past Peslarova on the power play at 4:12.

Kaltounova scored on a net-front scramble to cut the deficit at 11:01, but Fast restored Canada’s two-goal lead with a point shot at four-on-four play before the period finished.

Kaltounova, who was selected first overall by the New York Sirens in the Professional Women’s Hockey League 2025 draft, beat Gascon off a rebound five minutes into the third period for her second of the game.

The 24-year-old later took an elbowing penalty, putting Canada on the power play with 83 seconds remaining.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press