Ondrej Becher saved his best for last.
The 19-year-old import forward for the Prince George Cougars tallied five points including a hat-trick as Czechia stormed back to beat Finland 8-5 in the Bronze Medal Game at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden this morning (Friday).
Czechia erased deficits of 2-0 and 5-2, scoring six unanswered goals.
Becher started the comeback in the final minute of the second period, scoring shorthanded on a breakaway, to trim the deficit to 5-3.
Ondrej Becher shorthanded on a breakaway!🇨🇿🚨 @czehockey #WorldJuniors #CZEFIN pic.twitter.com/XL5Grrt1kg
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024
After a Jiri Kulich power-play goal to trim the deficit to one, Becher tied the game on the power-play with less than two minutes remaining beating Finnish goalie Niklas Kokko.
Fifteen seconds later, Becher set up the game-winner from Tomas Hamara after winning a crucial offensive zone face.
Ondrej Becher ties it with 1:58 to go! Time to call it a comeback? #WorldJuniors @czehockey pic.twitter.com/suy3DqdSx0
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024
PANEBOŽE PROBUĎTE NÁS! Tomáš Hamara otáčí skóre 68 sekund před koncem!!!
🇨🇿⚔️🇫🇮 6:5#CZEFIN #narodnitym #ceskyhokej #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/KsFJx1n2eB
— Český hokej (@czehockey) January 5, 2024
Everett Silvertips forward Dominic Rymon added a single for Czechia to make it 7-5.
Becher then completed his hat-trick by slamming the puck into an empty net after winning a neutral zone draw.
The Czechs outshot Finland 31-23 and went a perfect 3-for-3 on the man advantage.
Becher sits fourth in the tournament scoring with 10 points, including three goals.
Czechia had five WHL players on its roster, which included Becher, Rymon (Everett) along with rearguards Marel Alscher (Portland Winterhawks) Matteo Koci (Kamloops Blazers) and Victoria Royals forward Robin Sapousek.
BRONZE MEDALS for @czehockey at the 2024 #WorldJuniors.🥉🥳 #CZEFIN pic.twitter.com/r2jBW68LCa
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024