The Canadian team, filled with stars, arrived in Milan with the singular goal of claiming gold again. They effortlessly won all three matches in the group stage, one of which was a convincing 5-0 victory over their quarter-final opponents, the Czech Republic. However, despite this earlier defeat, the Czechs ended up third in their group and had to fight through the round of 16, where they struggled but managed to win against Denmark. The Czech performance raised doubts about their readiness for the quarter-final, but they surprised everyone.

In the quarter-final matchup, expectations shifted as a different Czech Republic team hit the ice. Even after Canada's 19-year-old star Macklin Celebrini scored early to give his team a 1-0 lead, the Czechs responded with resilience—equalizing and taking a 2-1 lead before the end of the first period. What followed was a tense battle, demonstrating the Czechs' improved form and determination to prove their earlier struggles were behind them.

As the second period began with a Canadian power play, Nathan MacKinnon capitalized to tie the game at 2-2, displaying Canada's ability to recover under pressure. The match served as a reminder that in high-stakes competitions like these, past performances can be misleading, as teams can rise or fall in form, emphasizing the unpredictability of tournament hockey.