The real question is: will we score against Canada today?
So this was +-4 players our best european core against average team Canada which playeed first match together? Don't know what to say....
Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but with regards to goalies - Czechs have Neuvirth, Pavelec, Mrazek - all did not want to go?
Pavelec, Neuvirth - they didn't pass medical test in their respective teams.
Mrázek - contract situation (he's RFA)
Thanks for prompt response!
I expect to see regular updates from those lucky enough to be in attendance at today's game.
Have fun.
No need, the game is being streamed on tsn.ca. All is good in the world.
And what do you expect from european core + Pleks, Pasta? We were also missing Kempny, Cervenka or Kovar. They played real solid game, and they were not outplayed by Canada. We could see huge difference on PP, our power play is still terrible and our defencemen are not good enough in supporting offense. 5v5 play was pretty good with a lot of chances, we just couldn't burry anything... I mean, yeah it was first game for Canada but does it really matter? That is one elite team, they can bet anyone 1on1 and cycle the puck, you just can't expect much more from our team than what we did yesterday except for PP.
Average team Canada? Far from that. Maybe their defense and goaltending is average compared to their standards but the forward group is nearly elite.
It was a good game from our side if we consider everything.
I really liked Jarusek and Koukal, Pasta was again catalyst for our offense (but man, his post-game interviews are pretty terrible). Kubalik, on the top line, was once again invisible, same for Vincour.
And what do you expect from european core + Pleks, Pasta? We were also missing Kempny, Cervenka or Kovar. They played real solid game, and they were not outplayed by Canada. We could see huge difference on PP, our power play is still terrible and our defencemen are not good enough in supporting offense. 5v5 play was pretty good with a lot of chances, we just couldn't burry anything... I mean, yeah it was first game for Canada but does it really matter? That is one elite team, they can bet anyone 1on1 and cycle the puck, you just can't expect much more from our team than what we did yesterday except for PP.
Average team Canada? Far from that. Maybe their defense and goaltending is average compared to their standards but the forward group is nearly elite.
It was a good game from our side if we consider everything.
I really liked Jarusek and Koukal, Pasta was again catalyst for our offense (but man, his post-game interviews are pretty terrible). Kubalik, on the top line, was once again invisible, same for Vincour.
I have a question here about Mrazek case. He refused to come because he is not having a contract. Is this seriously an issue? Even if he's get injured there I highly doubt they wouldn't offer him contract. Maybe less money? But common, I can not find any logical reason on Detroit side why they wouldn't offer him proper contract because he has "broken ankle" from WHC. They would be completely crazy leaving him to other teams....
Btw. what's the probability he would get injured?
I would agree if you are 4th liner on the NHL/AHL edge then there could be a risk that nobody wants you after that. But guys like Mrazek, Krejci, Plekanec, Palat. They will always be attractive for some teams.... I quite don't get it but I dont have any inside of that....
I agree with this. Taking all things into consideration, we played very solid against stacked Canada. Jarusek gets better every game.
Also, I wonder how the **** do the PP trainings look like. All our age categories (U16, U17, U18, U19, U20, Men) have PP and PK problems. Every. ****ing. Time. I won't be surprised if we end up with the worst PP, PK and shooting % in the WCH.
Yup, it's really unnecessary. Since the first day of training camp, Cervenka knew that he will be on Worlds. And quite frankly, I am okay with that, there's really not much to choose from. And Cervenka is capable of providing offense on big ice, he had good chemistry with Plekanec. Let's see how Cervenka does in 'real' games, games that matters. I am curious to see him play against Canada at tuesday.
Why is Vrana not here?
He was adapting nice to the AHL and the Caps have enough depth on offense to not give him a call in case.
He is one of my favourite up and coming players league wide. His skating and i.q are great.
17 players for the tournament at the moment :
Francouz, Furch
Jeřábek, Jordán, Kempný, Kundrátek, Å imek, Kolář
Pastrňák, Plekanec, Červenka, Kovář, ŘepÃk, Birner, KaÅ¡par, Kousal, Zohorna.
for example : Sekáč, Koukal etc. are still waiting.
Jagr has signed 1 year extension with Florida Panthers. He will now commit to national team for WHC, lead Czech Republic to the GMG, he'll win Gold for Czech Republic with OT goal, he will also lead tournament in scoring. Tournaments MVP. It's all happening, you hear it here first!
This is really weird...