Czechia caught with six players on the ice for controversial goal against Canada in Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics quarter-final

If they had failed to overcome Czechia in overtime, Canada would have had a genuine grievance to make, owing to the fact Czechia scored a goal with an extra man on the ice. The Czech's third goal, which took them 3-2 ahead in the third period, was scored with six men on the ice, and almost condemned Canada to an exit at the quarter-final stage. Canada prevailed in overtime 4-3.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics have been packed with drama and controversy, and that is showing no signs of slowing down.

On Wednesday, ice hockey attempted to get in on the action with an incident that could have had enormous repercussions.

Those watching Canada take on Czechia will have been shocked that referees failed to notice that the latter side had an extra player on the ice when they scored their third goal.

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Canada outlasted Czechia in overtime in the quarter-finals to win 4-3 thanks to a goal from Mitch Marner, setting up a semi-final with Finland and a potential final clash with the United States.

Until their win was confirmed, Canada were just trying to survive.

They had lost captain Sidney Crosby due to a lower body injury, and midway through the second period they trailed by a goal.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

In the third period, Ondrej Palat scored for the Czechs, giving their fans hope of Olympic glory and an underdog win over the hockey heavyweights.

How that goal was scored, however, was immensely controversial, as it quickly became apparent that Czechia had six men on the ice.

Thomas Harley saw his shot blocked and Martin Necas raced to the other end of the rink, teeing up Palat to score.

Nick Suzuki and Drew Doughty struggled to sort out their defensive coverage, and a quick replay revealed why, with the Czech side having a man advantage.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Officiating ice hockey is an incredibly tricky affair due to the game's speed. Things on the ice can happen in the blink of an eye, and it is easy to miss.

But, it was blatant that Czechia had six men on the ice and if Palat's goal had stood as the winner, there would no doubt be loud furore from the Canadian supporters in Italy.

Thankfully, for Canadians, that reality did not come to pass.

Suzuki scuppered Czech hopes, tipping in Devon Toews' shot to force the game to overtime.

Then Marner scored less than two minutes into overtime to give his team a 4-3 win and progress to the semi-finals.

After losing 4-3, Czechia head coach Radim Rulik voiced his own frustration with the officiating, and said he felt that his side was the one playing against six players.

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"The referees really worry me. What they’re allowing against us is unacceptable," Rulik said.

"After every game, we send them two or three clips where they confirm that the opponent should have been penalised. I don’t understand it. I just don’t get it. I feel like everyone is afraid to call anything against Canada.

"We were basically playing against six players. I don’t want to make excuses, and no one has to agree with me, but the video backs me up.

"In this respect, it’s not a fair tournament. It was happening to us even against Denmark. The mix of NHL and European referees hasn’t worked - everyone calls the game differently."

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