At the Olympic men's hockey tournament in Milan, the Czech team made headlines by giving Canada, a hockey powerhouse, a tough challenge, even leading the game twice before ultimately losing. This matchup was particularly significant given that the Czechs had previously eliminated Canada in junior championships three times in a row. Although they started the tournament poorly, losing 0-5 to this same team, their surprising resurgence in the quarterfinals caught many by surprise, including commentators who noted the unexpected nature of the Czechs' performance.

Coached by Radim Rulík, the Czechs faced a daunting task as they had limited time to recover from their previous match. The fact that they managed to take an early lead against the well-rested favorites dazzled fans and analysts alike. Despite their underdog status, the Czechs led the match at various points, which was a rare occurrence against Canada, who had not faced such a deficit in the Olympics since the 2010 Vancouver Games.

The match highlighted the resilience and determination of the Czech team, displaying a level of skill and competitiveness that many did not expect from them. Even though they eventually lost the match, the game served to strengthen the reputation of Czech hockey on the international stage and created a buzz about the possibilities for their future performances, especially in a tournament dominated by NHL players.