Czechia Wins World Cup: First Triumph After Canada Loss

MINNEAPOLIS – The Czech hockey players beat Denmark 7:2 at the Junior World Championship in Minneapolis and claimed their first win at the tournament.

The defenders of the bronze medals prevailed three times with a numerical advantage, defender Tomáš Galvas scored a goal and two assists. Goalkeeper Matyáš Mařík performed reliably.

Coach Patrik Augusta’s team lost to favored Canada 5:7 at the start of the championship, but did not hesitate in the second match of Group B. They gained a key advantage in the second period, after which they led 5:2. In addition to Galvas, Adam Jiříček and Václav Nestrašil also did well, scoring two points for a goal and an assist.

The Czech team had an ideal start to the meeting. In the 3rd minute, Číhař put him in the lead, who deflected Galvas’ shot. 27 seconds later, however, Poletín was sent off and the Danes equalized. Goalkeeper Mařík destroyed several chances of the opponent, but in the end Petersen overcame him.

In the 11th minute, defender Olesen received a five-minute penalty for a foul on Číhař, and Kubiesa’s accurate shot put the favorite back in the lead. However, the Czechs did not add another goal in the long numerical advantage, Sikora only hit the post.

After the end of the power play, Mařík distinguished himself by handling Bjergstad’s solo attack. The goalkeeper from České Budějovice kept the team strong even when Klím was sent off, the stick helped him when Larsen finished.

At the beginning of the second period, Mařík eliminated another independent attack, this time by Klyvo, and then in the continuing power play, Nestrašil increased the Czech lead. But the Danes were able to reduce again, Larsen scored immediately after the rebound.

In the middle of the match, Mařík made a key save when he knocked out Green’s goal post with concrete. And his teammates subsequently bounced off the Danes. First, after Novotné’s action, Jiříček established himself, then Klíma set up a goal for Hoch. A successful passage from the Czech point of view was ended by the crossbar after Curran’s shot.

In the third period, the Czech lead was increased by Galvas and Žemlička, whose goals were separated by 58 seconds. Benák got several chances in the power play, but he couldn’t beat the goalkeeper Wilde. Linde could have reduced it, but it only hit the post. Just like Novotný later.

The third opponent of the Czech national team will be the Finnish players on Monday from 21:30 CET.

Group B:

Denmark – Czech Republic 2: 7 (1: 2, 1: 3, 0: 2)

Goals and records: 6. Petersen (E. Jakobsen, Olesen), 25. J. Oh. Larsen (Baerentsen) – 3. Číhař (T. Galvas, V. Nestrašil), 12. J. Kubiesa (Sikora, T. Galvas), 22. JV Nestrašil (A. Jurajček, Benák), 32. A. Jurajček (A. Novotný), 36. M. Hoch (J. Klíma), 46. JT Galvas (Sikora, A. Novotný), 47. M. Bun. Referee: Borga (Switzerland), Stachowiak – Gorcoff, Heinen (all USA). Exclusion: 5:3, in addition Olesen (Dan.) 5 min and until the end of the meeting. Usage: 1:3. Viewers: 3067.

Assemblies:

Denmark: Wilde – M. Jakobsen, Rundh, Kramer, Olesen, Amondsen, Bertram, E. Jakobsen – Bundgaard, Linde, Klyvo – Schioldan, Grossmann, Petersen – O. Larsen, Baerentsen, Green – Stromstad, Cilan, Olsen – Bjergstad. Coach: Struzinski.

Czech Republic: Mařík – A. Jurajček, Fibigr, Pšenička, T. Galvas, Dravecký, Man – V. Nestrašil, Sikora, Čihař – Benák, Curran, T. Poletín – A. Novotný, Hoch, J. Klíma – Kubiesa, Žemlička, Titlbach. Coach: Augusta.

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• Source: CTK