Aneta Tejralova served a two-game suspension from the PWHL after a hit to the head of Sarah Fillier. The Czech hockey star went out of her way to apologize at the Olympics.
It was a strong display of sportsmanship!
The sport of hockey can often be violent. For these two hard-fought opponents to put aside their differences on the international stage is a testament to their respect for each other and the game.
Sarah Fillier took a nasty hit from Aneta Tejralova.
The initial incident took place at the end of December during a game between the Seattle Torrent and the New York Sirens. Tejralova plays for the for former. Fillier players for the latter.
At 5-foot-5, 137 pounds, Fillier laid a (clean) open-ice hit on Tejralova early in the first period. That did not go over well with Tejralova, who is nearly 10 pounds lighter at the same height.
She retaliated on her opponent with a vicious, targeted hit near center ice. It was brutal.
Fillier laid on the ground for an extended period of time while her teammates went after the attacker on her behalf. Tejralova attacker also received a five-minute major penalty and ejected from the contest for misconduct.
— – (@Spicoli_____) February 10, 2026
Fortunately, Sarah Fillier was able to return to the ice after a brief moment on the bench. Aneta Tejralova leave the game early and served an additional two-game suspension.
An apology at the Olympics!
The Torrent and the Sirens have not played since Dec. 30. Tejralova and Fillier had not seen each other since.
They met again on the ice at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Aneta Tejralova is a captain for Team Czechia. Sarah Fillier is a star for Team Canada. Canada dominated Czechia by a final score of 5-1.
Both PWHL players just so happened to bump into each other after the game. Tejralova made sure to take a moment to apologize to Fillier for her big hit in December. She said she didn’t mean it and asked if Fillier opponent was okay. Fillier said yes and wished Tejralova the best of luck the rest of the way.
After reviewing the footage with some improved audio – it appears, this was a personal apology from Tejralova for a hit she delivered on Fillier in the PWHL earlier this season that resulted in a 2 game suspension.
— Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) February 9, 2026
Tejralova: “I didn’t mean it…. Are you okay?”
Fillier: “Oh… pic.twitter.com/wllbaXzKGJ
This kind of thing is what sports are all about. Everybody loves the big hits and the controversy. Me too. But it is the moment where those athletes break bread during an international competition that serve as a great reminder— it’s all love at the end of the day. A game is a game. People are people.