Team USA gives up six third-period goals in bronze medal game loss to Czechia

TAMPERE, Finland — After an explosive start to the bronze medal match of the 2022 IIHF Men's World Championship, Team USA allowed six goals in the third period in an 8-4 loss to Czechia.

Esko, Minnesota, native and Minnesota-Duluth alum Karson Kuhlman scored two goals in the first period, one shorthanded, and Adam Gaudette got one of his own on the power play to give the Americans a 3-1 lead after the opening 20 minutes. The lone Czechia goal in the first was scored by Jiri Cernoch.

Things were close on both sides in the second frame, but only Czechia would tack on another score. Jiri Smejkal's goal 12 minutes into the second period decreased the American lead to 3-2 heading into the third.

The final frame is not one Team USA is going to remember fondly. David Pastrnak notched a hat trick — including goals in both the opening and closing minutes of the period — and David Kampf scored twice to lift the Czechs to victory.

Czechia tied things up at three on Pastrnak's first of the period just 51 seconds in, then scored twice more in less than three minutes to take the lead on goals from Roman Cervenka and Pastrnak.

The Czechs scored a shorthanded goal, an empty net goal and a power play goal in the third.

Thomas Boredeleau scored the lone U.S. goal with 1:19 left in regulation to bring the Americans within three, but Pastrnak completed his hat trick in the final minute with a power play goal to bring up the final 8-4 score.

Czechia earned its sixth IIHF Men's World Championship bronze medal and the country's first medal at the tournament since 2012.

Minnesota natives Nate Schmidt and Ben Meyers both tallied assists in the game in addition to Karson Kuhlman's two goals. Matt Boldy of the Minnesota Wild also tacked on an assist. Seth Jones had 29:46 of ice time for the Americans.