Unbelievable but true, the Canadian side just got pulled a fast one that will be talked about for a long time in homes across Canada.
Footage captured during the matchup against Czechia clearly shows eight players in white uniforms on the ice at the moment of a crucial goal that nearly sent Canada home.
A monumental officiating error that completely changed the complexion of the game in the third period. Let’s be honest, a two-man advantage is already hard enough to defend — imagine when they have eight players out there.
It’s the kind of situation that should never happen at this level of international competition.
Take a close look at the video below — you can see white jerseys scattered all over Canada’s defensive zone without a single referee raising an arm.
“There were EIGHT (!!!) Czech players on the ice when they score the go-ahead goal in the third period vs. Canada:
– CBC Olympics
It’s solid execution by the Czechs to get away with it, but it’s embarrassing for the federation.
Let’s be honest, if this happened at the Bell Centre on a Saturday night, the crowd would be throwing hot dogs onto the ice because it’s that absurd. The frustration is palpable among fans watching their national team fall victim to such a blatant lack of vigilance.
Attention now turns to whether tournament officials will address the incident and clarify how such a significant mistake occurred.
A daylight robbery in the neutral zone
In the NHL, such a mistake would be reviewed in thirty seconds by the Situation Room in Toronto, but here it seems like everyone was asleep at the wheel.
We expect a firm response from officials, as the image is already circulating widely across the web and social media.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen too many players on the ice, but eight at once is virtually unheard of — especially in an Olympic quarterfinal.
Fortunately for Canada, the controversy ultimately did not alter the outcome.
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New video confirms eight Czech players on ice during goal that nearly knocked out Canada
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