“The match had a similar course as in Helsinki. We played very well in the first period, in the second 20 minutes we had a lot of turnovers in the middle zone, so we stopped playing forward completely. However, we were able to get back into the match in the third period, which is positive. We again showed 40 minutes of good hockey and also 20 minutes when the opponent was better and faster,” said the 62-year-old Jalonen after the 2:1 win over the Helvétský kríž.
At the same time, the Finnish strategist warned the players before the match to avoid a similar breakdown as in the second act against Suomi. In vain. The deaf passage at the same stage of the match came again.
Photo: Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP, ČTK/AP
Jiří Černoch tries to make his way in front of the Swiss goal.Photo: Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via APČTK/AP
“At least it’s a raised finger for the players,” admits Jalonen, trying to find the causes of his team’s blackout.
“We’re losing too many pucks in the midrange. At the same time, that area is extremely important, you have to win fights there, play at speed, do not let the opponent go beyond the blue line. And vice versa, getting to the opponent’s goal, where you can then put the opponent under pressure. But luckily we got knocked back from that,” Jalonen was pleased that Košťálek broke the goalless streak in the third period, which was followed up by Smejkal and the Swiss only managed to reduce Corvim in the end.
The key factor in the success was once again the goalkeeper’s performance. Langhamer followed up on Thursday’s Hrubcev and caught even 45 shots of the Swiss. “He was excellent and gave us a chance to win. But the team has a good core, such a team spirit. I like that the boys enjoy hockey, enjoy the matches to the fullest and enjoy the national team,” Jalonen found other positives.
On Sunday, the Czechs will finish the Swiss Games against the Swedes, and if they get at least one point, they will win the second tournament of the Euro Hockey Tour series. The goalkeeper who will face the Three Crowns will be announced by Jalonen only on the day of the match. He then promises to make a few changes in the attack.
The start of forward Chlapík is uncertain, having already missed the match against the Swiss when he injured his ankle while getting off the team bus in Helsinki. “First of all, we need to talk to Filip and find out how he is doing health-wise. It is quite possible that he will be absent on Sunday as well,” admits the Finnish coach of the Czechs.
