Canada clinches top spot in Group B with 4-1 win over Czechia in Para ice hockey

MILAN – In a battle for the top seed in Para ice hockey Group B, Canada defeated Czechia 4-1 for a direct ticket to Friday’s semifinal at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Captain Tyler McGregor led the offence with a  goal and two assists as Canada concluded the preliminary round with a 3-0 record.

“It was nice to play a game with some energy, some emotion. I just love that we got through it together,” McGregor said after the game. 

Canada once again showed its potent power play with three of its  goals scored with the man advantage.

The victors peppered Czech goalie Patrik Sedlacek with 26 shots to Czechia’s 12. Sedlacek made nine saves in a scoreless first period.

 Canada faced its hardest test so far and  there were some hiccups along the way

“A bit sloppy at times but that’s kind of the chaos, the adversity, that we want to face, and we wanted to overcome in the course of this short tournament, to set ourselves up for a semi-final game against China,” McGregor said after the game.

James Dunn opened the scoring, his fifth of the tournament, moments after a scary mistake from the Canadians. 

On a delayed penalty, Canada pulled its goalie but there was a miscommunication on the ice and the puck nearly wound up in its own net.

Vincent Boliy netted Canada’s second goal, also on the power play burying his own rebound. McGregor also pounced on a rebound on the power play for Canada’s third marker and his 10th point of the tournament. He is tied for second place in scoring at the Games. 

Dom Cozzolino added his historic 200th-career point with an assist on McGregor’s goal. 

Czechia got on the board in the third period as  Zdenek Habel ripped down the right side and eluded the defence to beat Corbin Watson with a quick shot on the short side. It marks the first goal Canada has allowed all tournament. 

Liam Hickey added an empty netter, his eighth point of the tournament. D

Veteran Para ice hockey legend Greg Westlake missed Tuesday’s game after he suffered an injury in Monday’s clash with Japan. The forward is hopeful to return for the semi finals.

Canada faces China on Friday  in the semifinal at 2:05 p.m. ET.