Olympics-Ice hockey-Czech Republic down Denmark to set up Canada meeting in quarters

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Ice Hockey - Men's Qualification Play-off - Czech Republic vs Denmark - Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy - February 17, 2026. Martin Necas of Czech Republic celebrates with Ondrej Palat of Czech Republic and Filip Hronek of Czech Republic after scoring their first goal REUTERS/David W Cerny

MILAN, Feb 17 (Reuters) - The ⁠Czech Republic outlasted Denmark 3-2 in the men's ice hockey qualification play-off on Tuesday, ⁠setting up the unenviable task of playing hot favourites Canada in the quarter-finals.

Forward Martin ‌Necas drew first blood in the second period and assisted on a goal from David Kampf less than five minutes later, while captain Roman Cervenka capped the scoring for the Czech team with what proved to be the game-winner.