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Martin Necas fires bold chirp at Team Canada ahead of quarterfinal clash


Daniel Lucente
Feb 17, 2026  (3:29 PM)
Martin Necas of Czechia in action against Canada in a men's ice hockey group A match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Martin Necas just poked Team Canada, and the Olympic quarterfinal suddenly feels personal.

Czechia is headed for a rematch after squeezing past Denmark 3-2 in the qualification round Tuesday.
Necas drove the comeback with a power-play goal and an assist.
Now it’s Canada again on Wednesday, the same group that blanked Czechia 5-0 on Feb. 12.
That’s why the quote ripping around X hit so hard, because it’s not cautious, it’s a chirp.
"We let them win the first one because we knew we were not going to win two in a row against Canada.”

- Martin Necas

Even if you call it a joke, it’s a loud one when you just got shut out in the prelims.
The numbers say he’s earned the microphone, with a three-game multipoint streak and six points at the tournament (3-3-6).

Martin Necas wants Team Canada to feel it

Czech fans have waited forever to see someone talk back to Canada, not just survive them.
Tactically, the only way that line lands is if Czechia attacks earlier, holds pucks longer, and actually forces Canada’s defense to turn.
The Denmark game showed the blueprint, quick puck movement to the top and a one-timer that beat Frederik Andersen clean.
But Canada’s pace and layers are a different animal, and Czechia knows it.
Radko Gudas basically said the quiet part out loud, if you want a medal, you beat the best.
Necas isn’t a kid either, drafted in 2017, first round, 12th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, and he’s 27 now.
This chirp feels like a switch, Czechia choosing swagger over respect, because playing scared already got them a 5-0 loss.
If they’re going down Wednesday, Necas is making sure it isn’t politely.
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Martin Necas fires bold chirp at Team Canada ahead of quarterfinal clash

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