{"id":461805,"date":"2026-02-18T07:30:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T07:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/461805\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T07:30:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T07:30:58","slug":"necas-powers-czechia-sets-stage-for-quarterfinal-clash-with-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/461805\/","title":{"rendered":"Ne\u010das Powers Czechia, Sets Stage For Quarterfinal Clash With Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

MILAN \u2014 Martin Ne\u010das is turning the Olympic stage into his personal showcase.<\/p>\n

The dynamic winger drove Czechia into the quarterfinals on Tuesday, scoring the opening goal and adding an assist in a tense 3\u20132 victory over Denmark. Once again, when the moment demanded composure and creativity, Ne\u010das delivered.<\/p>\n

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The Colorado Avalanche star has been electric throughout the tournament, now totaling seven points in four games. That production ties him for second overall in Olympic scoring alongside Switzerland\u2019s Timo Meier, trailing only Canada\u2019s Connor McDavid, who leads the field with nine points in three contests.<\/p>\n

The opening period unfolded cautiously, with both teams probing for weaknesses but generating little in the way of high-danger chances. Czechia held a slight 8\u20136 edge in shots, yet neither side was able to seize momentum in a tightly checked, feeling-out frame.<\/p>\n

The tempo shifted dramatically in the second.<\/p>\n

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Ne\u010das broke through at 25:39 on the power play, hammering a one-timer from the faceoff dot. It was the first true flash of dominance in the game \u2014 and a sign of things to come. He was arguably the most dynamic player on the ice throughout, and that edge began to tilt the contest in favor of the Czechs.<\/p>\n

Denmark answered swiftly. Alexander True netted his first-ever Olympic goal at 29:02 to tie the game 1\u20131, finishing off a clean sequence in tight.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, just good play by Joachim there, finding me back, and I just had to put it in the empty net, so that was nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The response from Czechia was immediate and emphatic.<\/p>\n

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In a blistering stretch spanning less than two minutes, the Czechs struck twice to reclaim control. David K\u00e4mpf buried a goal at 30:15 from the top of the crease, with Ne\u010das contributing a deft saucer pass for the secondary assist. Moments later, at 31:24, Roman \u010cervenka snapped a top-shelf finish past the goaltender off a feed from David Pastr\u0148\u00e1k, stretching the lead to 3\u20131 and firmly swinging the momentum in Czechia\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n

Czechia now faces a daunting test, drawing Canada in the quarterfinal at 7:10 p.m. local time Wednesday \u2014 less than 24 hours after the final horn sounded \u2014 a punishing turnaround against the tournament’s heavy favorite.<\/p>\n

\"Image\"<\/p>\n

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