Radim Rulik Furious With Referees After Team Czech’s Olympic Loss
Photo credits: DENÍK.
Written By Gina Anton
MILAN — In a dramatic and tightly contested quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the Czech men’s ice hockey team fell just short, losing 4–3 in overtime to powerhouse Canada. While the performance of his players earned praise, Czech head coach Radim Rulík did not hide his disappointment and directed much of his frustration toward the officials after the final buzzer.
Rulík, known for taking a measured approach in the past, was visibly upset in his post‑game comments. His anger was directed not toward his own players but about what he saw as inconsistent and unfavorable refereeing throughout the match and the tournament. Rukík suggested that the officials gave too much leeway to the Canadian side and failed to apply a consistent standard to crucial moments.
“What they're allowing against us is unacceptable,” Rulík said. “After every game, we send them two or three clips where they confirm that the opponent should have been penalized. I don't understand it. I just don't get it. I feel like everyone is afraid to call anything against Canada. We were basically playing against six players. I don't want to make excuses, and no one has to agree with me, but the video backs me up. In this respect, it's not a fair tournament. It was happening to us even against Denmark. The mix of NHL and European referees hasn't worked.”
Despite his criticism of officiating, Rulík did not diminish the effort of his team. He praised the Czech squad for their determination, resilience, and adherence to their game plan, noting that they matched a world‑class opponent through regulation and beyond. Yet the sting of overtime defeat, combined with his feeling of being poorly served by the officials, left Rulík and many Czech hockey fans with lingering frustration.
Whether Rulík’s comments will trigger any official review or response from Olympic or IIHF refereeing supervisors remains to be seen. For now, his post‑match critique adds another layer to one of the most talked‑about games of the Olympic hockey tournament.
