The final result might not have been what Martin Rysavy and the Czech Republic wanted at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship, but the news for the bigger picture was still as positive as could be.
The Moose Jaw Warriors prospect scored the lone goal of regulation for his squad against the United States, but the Czechs would go on to drop a 2-1 shootout decision in Frisco, Texas.
Rysavy’s goal came with 4:03 remaining in the first period, taking a feed from Petr Moravec from behind the net and ripping a shot from the top of the crease high glove side on U.S. goaltender Kaiden Mbereko.
Martin Ryšavý opens the scoring, Petr Moravec and Jakub Altrichter with the assists. 1-0 CZE #U18Worlds pic.twitter.com/Fn8CJTi9mt
— Czech Prospects (@CZprospects) April 30, 2021
Rysavy would have three more shots on goal and finished the game plus-one.
The U.S. tied the game 2:35 into the third period and would score the only goal of the shootout to secure their win.
The Czech Republic picked up a single point with the shootout loss, and as a result clinched at least fourth place in Pool B and a spot in the quarter-finals. They close out the round robin against Russia on Saturday, with the quarters beginning Monday.
Team Canada -- including Moose Jaw Warrior defenceman Denton Mateychuk, former prospect Corson Ceulmans and goaltending coach Matt Weninger -- are back in action tonight when they take on Switzerland before closing out their round robin Saturday against Belarus.
