Canada defeated Czechia 4-3 on Wednesday thanks to a thrilling overtime goal by Mitch Marner in the quarter-final round at Milano Cortina 2026, but the game could have been defined by an earlier goal if Czechia had come out on top.

With just under eight minutes remaining the third period, Czech forward Ondrej Palat was on the receiving end of a Martin Necas pass in the offensive zone that he buried glove side to give Czechia a 3-2 lead and inch them closer towards a potential upset victory.

The scoring chance was sprung as a result of a blocked Canadian shot near the blueline by Tomas Hertl – a play where video shows Czechia appeared to have six skaters on the ice and involved in play.

The puck had been cycled through behind the Czechia net with five Czech skaters on the ice – Michal Kempny, David Pastrnak and Radko Gudas were positioned around the crease, with Necas pressuring Canada’s Thomas Harley, who was attempting a shot, and Hertl out to block the shot.

As Harley attempted his shot, Palat entered the play on the opposite side of the ice, coming off the bench.

Hertl made the block, Necas took off down the ice with the puck, and Palat, one of the trailing attackers, received the pass and beat Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington to give Czechia a 3-2 lead.

The Canadian bench and coaching staff did not appear to question anything about the play to the referees, nor did the broadcast team did not make any note of the extra player on the ice.

As TSN’s James Duthie reports, the Czech side was almost as surprised as the Canadian to learn about the play after the game. Duthie reports that only one player on Czechia was aware that there were six skaters on the ice during the play.

Duthie also said that the Canadian bench was not aware that there were too many players on the ice.

Among everyone here who didn’t see it, including the Canadian bench, were most of the Czechs. Just talked to a bunch of their players who had no idea. Were shocked when I showed them the screenshots. Only one acknowledged he knew they had 6 on. https://t.co/wFVusESip3

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) February 18, 2026

Four minutes later, Canada found its tying goal on a tipped shot by Nick Suzuki in front of the net before Marner’s winner secured the victory in overtime.

Canada now awaits their opponent in the semifinal game, which will take place on Friday.