A game where one team is dominated so thoroughly shouldn't turn into a nail biter late in the 3rd, but it's probably for the best to have the tight game in the 3rd versus the walkaway win it could have have easily been.
- Poehling was really poor tonight. That PP goal against was on him and he was mostly quiet elsewhere. He's too big, strong, and quick to be that unnoticeable.
- Jack Hughes looked great after the layoff. Could have easily had 3-4 points if his teammates had some better finish. Drury and Cates both should have buried passes from him in the 3rd on the same shift.
- Samberg and Kemp were very good. Best defensemen tonight.
- Evan Barratt needs to be a lot better. He's been a huge disappointment. Penn State's offensive run and gun system isn't translating here.
- Cates still gets way too much ice time, but at least tonight he earned it. If he was more skilled he would have had a hat trick tonight.
- Primeau was barely tested in this game as outside of the goal against, most of the Czech shots (and there weren't many) were fairly harmless and from the outside. He should be well rested for the semifinal.
- Dostal was excellent for the Czechs. Only reason this wasn't a blowout loss for the Czechs.
- The Czech team whined like they were playing soccer. There were missed calls both ways, but with the amount of flops they took and the nasty cross checks there were throwing in front of the net it's hard to be upset with the referees. You're not going to get many PPs when you barely touch the puck.
Can Slovakia pull the third upset of the QFs and set up a more favorable semifinal, or will we have a powerhouse matchup?
