Ondrej Boettcher saved the best for last.
The 19-year-old Prince George Cougars import forward scored a hat trick as the Czech Republic stormed back to defeat Finland 8-5 in the bronze medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden this morning (Friday). He scored 5 points.
The Czech Republic overcame deficits of 2-0 and 5-2, scoring six unanswered goals.
Boettcher sparked a comeback late in the second period, scoring shorthanded on a breakaway to cut the deficit to 5-3.
Ondrej Boettcher shorthanded on breakaway!🇨🇿🚨 @chehockey #World Junior #chefin pic.twitter.com/XL5Grrt1kg
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024
After Jiri Klich’s power-play goal cut the deficit to one point, Boettcher tied the game with a power-play beat by Finnish goaltender Niklas Kokko with less than two minutes remaining.
Fifteen seconds later, Becher got a key offensive zone face and scored the winning goal off Tomas Hamara.
Ondrej Boettcher tied it with 1:58 left! Is it time to call it a comeback? #World Junior @chehockey pic.twitter.com/suy3DqdSx0
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024
PANEBOŽE PROBUĎTE NÁS!
🇨🇿⚔️🇫🇮 6:5#chefin #narodnitim #ceskyhokeji #World Junior pic.twitter.com/KsFJx1n2eB
— Cesky Hockey (@czehockey) January 5, 2024
Everett Silvertips forward Dominik Lymon added a single for Czech to make it 7-5.
Boettcher then won a tie in the neutral zone and knocked the puck into an empty net for a hat trick.
The Czech Republic outscored Finland 31-23, using their man advantage to complete a perfect 3-on-3 record.
Becher ranks fourth in the tournament with 10 points, including three goals and seven assists.
Czech has five WHL players, including Boettcher, Raimon (Everett), rearguards Marel Alscher (Portland Winterhawks) and Mateo Koci (Kamloops Blazers), and Victoria Royals forward Robin Saposek. The players were registered on the roster.
Number of bronze medals won @chehockey in 2024 #World Junior.🥉🥳 #chefin pic.twitter.com/r2jBW68LCa
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024