WJC: 2025 Czech Team

[Czechboy]

That 'spine'

 

[Czechboy]

Inflated by Kazakh win but we did put 9 up on Swiss and Slovaks too.

 

[jj cale]

I'm thrilled with how we've looked. Have my quibbles about roster and such but the team looks good. Aggressive and attacking. Not getting pushed around.

But, as an example, your pool is now all f***ed up and finishing top 2 (which we did) doesn't even guarantee us to avoid US/Canada in a quarter. However, we legitmatiely did ask Craig Button in Ottawa last night about a bronze and he said the same thing you did! So JJ and Craig Button think we can do it!

LOL

I really think you can. It's a team that hasn't shown me any real weakness so far. It's a big team, good skill running through all lines, solid defense and back stopped by a goalie who most definitely can get the job done. It's a good team and the rest of the field don't appear to contain any juggernauts at all and what's most important is that the 2 N.A teams don't appear to be world beaters.

European teams are historically outmatched at tournaments in North America, they just can't seem to get it done here, I mean...their winning percentage for gold at tournaments here must be no higher then like 5 %, But this is a year I can see one of the European teams taking home gold from here, and I like the Czechs teams chances as good as any from what I have seen.

 

[Czechboy]

LOL

I really think you can. It's a team that hasn't shown me any real weakness so far. It's a big team, good skill running through all lines, solid defense and back stopped by a goalie who most definitely can get the job done. It's a good team and the rest of the field don't appear to contain any juggernauts at all and what's most important is that the 2 N.A teams don't appear to be world beaters.

European teams are historically outmatched at tournaments in North America, they just can't seem to get it done here, I mean...their winning percentage for gold at tournaments here must be no higher then like 5 %, But this is a year I can see one of the European teams taking home gold from here, and I like the Czechs teams chances as good as any from what I have seen.

Had to look.. yeah, in the last 10 years one Euro team has won in North America. The Finn's.

That is a bit low.lol

I love the team. I have my gripes for sure but they are wave after wave of consistency and that is nice. Well coached (despite my bitches.lol).

All I care about is the quarter and winning that. I will argue our pool is much weaker and everything is inflated for now. But ask me when we see who the final 4 are.

Curious how Sweden goes tomorrow.

For a run we do have some ingredients

I think we have the best goalie by pedigree and experience. He seems quite good.
We have no ASP but our D is solid and our third pair is 'over qualified'. Both drafted and play great together.
Undrafted Galvas is a wildcard... he does not look or play like an undrafted player at all.
Forwards are deep but not excellent but line 4 to line 1 is pretty even.

But I am not even thinking about a gold medal. I'm thinking about Quarters and a 2-1 game against Latvia/Germany or 4-3 game against Canada/US/Finland. Your pool is one pain in the ass after another.lol

 

[Swipes]

Let's see how we do against Sweden tomorrow, that will be the first proper test.

 

[Czechboy]

Let's see how we do against Sweden tomorrow, that will be the first proper test.

I'm expecting a close game. If win it confirms us a gold threat. If we lose, it might wake us up and make us better for the quarter. Adversity is a good thing. We lost to Canada in last game in Prague in Spring, ended up great!

 

[Czechboy]

No suspension for Cihar. He's a pissy little honeybadger out there! Glad he's not suspended but not saying it's the right call. Did feel like a silly hit but I don't think he was out to kill Satan. He just f***ed up. Obviously, if that had happened to one of our players, I'd want the offending player banned for life.lol

 

[Old Man Jags]

The coaches should consider a young upstart in the Czech league currently making a name for himself at Kladno. Jagr-something or other. Lost 4 teeth yesterday and still managed to get an assist subsequently.

 

[Czechboy]

The sale one is top-notch

 

[Czechboy]

Similar lineup. Petr back in at 13. I like all 4 lines. Have my quibbles. Holinka with Cihar and Novotny looks great on paper. Sale is my fav but line 2 is our best line IMO.

 

[Czechboy]

Here is out top 10 in scoring. 2 undrafted players and 8 drafted ones. 3 guys in Europe and 7 in North America.

 

[Czechboy]

D scoring... Husa is in line 1 and gets top minutes? Why? What is he bringing?

 

[Czechboy]

Top 10 forwards.

I'd say Masta has proven me wrong but go back to the first post on page 1... I always wanted Masta on team. I just don't think he is PP1 and line 1.

Despite 5 points, Sale has been our best forward.

 

[Czechboy]

I thought we played well. The penalties were beyond ridiculous. Easily fixed.

Set us up for a nightmare quarter despite finishing top 2 which is amazing because that was our goal.. finish top 2.

One of my favorite round robins of all time!

I don't care who we play.. we have a 50-50 chance.

I think we will tighten up. I'd like to see the coaches tweek the lineup. It won't happen.

I'd move Jiricek and Dvorak to top pair.
Galvas husa as second pair
Keep Fibigr Port

Hrabal starts.

Take Masta of PP1 is my only other change. Keep him on line 1 with Felcman and Sale.

Losing in round robin is not a bad thing... wakes us up. No offence to Sweden.. but how many round robins have they won now? How many golds?

but, my f***en god, stop taking stupid penalties.lol

 

[Czechboy]

Just looking at scoresheet...

Cihar and Novotny got less than 5 minutes TOI... that 3rd line did not work out at all.

Petr as the 13th forward got more minutes.

 

[czechcanadian]

Just looking at scoresheet...

Cihar and Novotny got less than 5 minutes TOI... that 3rd line did not work out at all.

Petr as the 13th forward got more minutes.

One interesting thing was coaches decision to put Petr in for 3 offensive zone faceoffs in 3rd period. He lost all 3. I think Zidlicky and Novotny were with him.

Just weird weird decision..

 

[Czechboy]

One interesting thing was coaches decision to put Petr in for 3 offensive zone faceoffs in 3rd period. He lost all 3. I think Zidlicky and Novotny were with him.

Just weird weird decision..

Line blender?

I think we need small tweaks.

 

[czechcanadian]

Line blender?

I think we need small tweaks.

Over the top 2 lines though? When you’re down 4-2? Like why?

 

[Czechboy]

Over the top 2 lines though? When you’re down 4-2? Like why?

The final 6 guys out was a line blender too! I think he's testing things.. I saw Galvas, Jiricek, Stancl, Salet.. which is exactly what I want to see on PP1.lol Toss in Hradec and I'm a happy camper.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

How has Sale looked so far in the tournament?

 

[Czechboy]

How has Sale looked so far in the tournament?

Been out best forward IMO. But he's not a flashy game breaker. Just a solid pro looking player.

Personally, I don't like who they put him with and feel he'd have more points with 2 players swapped out.

 

[Czechboy]