WJC: 2025 Czech Team

Czechboy

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Forwards are interesting too

Masta was lowered to 15 TOI while Sale and Holinka were near 20. Stancl and Hradec also got near 20.

Novotny with more looks than Cihar.

New whipping boy Petr got about 7 minutes and 75% on the dot but was a minus 1. Zidlicky got to 11 minutes which is higher for him.
 

Pavel Buchnevich

"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Dec 8, 2013
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Nice game, friends.

We’ll meet again at the U18 Worlds in April/May.

That was one of the closest USA-Czechia games I can remember over the years. Shows how much more competitive you guys are becoming.

I think goaltending and shooting talent was all there was in that game and I suspect you guys might’ve won the xG. Can’t remember ever thinking the xG was close in a junior game between the two nations. 5 or 6 years ago I might’ve expected a 5 or 6 goal victory.

This was a back and forth one goal game until the very end.
 

Pavel Buchnevich

"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Dec 8, 2013
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U18 is our kryptonite.. we could see the Prague Gold medal team and they'd lose.lol Can't quite explain it.

Good luck in finals and getting that elusive back to back (I am surprised it hasn't happened before)
Am I crazy or this Czech team seemed well coached?

Thought you guys had a very good strategy to throw pucks behind our defensemen and go get it using your size and speed.

We couldn’t get out of our zone for long stretches.

Even if the American players were generally a little more skilled I felt that neutralized that advantage and the game was played on Czech terms.

It seemed to me like the Eiserman snipe and the Augustine save on Jecho were the two main “inflection points” in the game.
 
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Czechboy

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Czechs last 4 opponents in Ottawa

Sweden
Canada
USA
Sweden

That has to be the worst draw in history to try and win a medal from.lol
 

Czechboy

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Am I crazy or this Czech team seemed well coached?

Thought you guys had a very good strategy to throw pucks behind our defensemen and go get it using your size and speed.

We couldn’t get out of our zone for long stretches.

Even if the American players were generally a little more skilled I felt that neutralized that advantage and the game was played on Czech terms.

It seemed to me like the Eiserman snipe and the Augustine save on Jecho were the two main “inflection points” in the game.
Double coached almost.. the NT coach Radim Rulik is also there. It's a HOF behind the bench too (A czech one). August himself was a good player and he Smid and Reichel up there and Pavelec in the stands (sitting with Rulik and a very cute girl who took our photo a few days ago). So lots of support and wisdom.

I thought we played a great game. Score will say 4-1 but that did not feel like a 4-1 loss.

I'm a big Eiserman fan and haven't followed why he fell in draft but that snipe was outstanding.. not many can do that. Save on Jecho was very nice. Augusta is now, I think, the most winnng goalie in tourney history!

Oh well, bring on Sweden.. a chance at Bronze is beautiful!
 

Pieck

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Dec 13, 2017
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This team was fun to watch, really felt like a team of destiny at times but when Augustine made that crazy save in the 3rd period it just seemed like it wasn’t meant to be

One thing that stood out all tournament was how good the Fibigr-Port pairing was. It’s not often you see such a reliable 3rd pair with actual chemistry and good production. On Czech teams especially, not too long ago the 3rd pairing was just some random guys that you’d want off the ice ASAP. Great to see the improvement

I’ll miss watching Sale at this tournament. It was nice to see his growth each year. Too bad he won’t get a gold, but 3 medals in 3 years would be nice
 

Goodman68

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We kind of defeated ourselves with our own mistakes. The game was good, but we fatally failed to manage the decisive moments of the match. First, our own power play (which, due to our mistakes, turned into a PK and conceding of the decisive goal) and then a line change mistake. The match then didn't go well for Dvořák, who had a big part in the result.
 
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BigBadBoar

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Dec 20, 2017
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Two wrong player changes in the 3rd period turned out to be decisive. First, the too many players penalty which took away the momentum in the attacking zone. Then, the mistake before the 3rd goal. It was a good game overall, of course you have to take some risk when the clock is running down and you are still one goal behind. No risk - no gain in such situations. Both teams had a couple of great chances in the 3rd period when it was still 1-2. It was all about which team would eventually score, and unfortunately the US did. Still a very good show from this Czech team in the tournament.
 

czechcanadian

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Top 3 D by minutes you ask?

Fibigr, Gavlas and Jiricek

Why is that important you ask?

Because they are all back next year.

Port was also around 19 to 20 minutes

Husa and Dvorak were the odd men out. Dvorak just hasn't been as good as I had hoped to be honest. I love him. I think he's great. I'm not saying he's bad but I hoped for more.
Dvorak definitely played more minutes last night. Outside of that first US goal, he was quite good.
Also really nice to have some returning players.
Jiricek was awesome last night too.

IMO he was better overall than Galvas.

Galvas was not good. Looked tense compared to other games. Hardly had any impact outside of giving pucks away.
Certainly didn’t help his chances of being drafted. Hopefully he rebounds tonight.
 
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wgknestrick

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Czechs played very well, but Augustine was the difference (as he has been in almost every US game). There is zero shame in that effort and everyone should be proud of what they accomplished this year. It's hard for Czechia to compete against much more populated countries, but they did.
 
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Czechboy

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Dvorak definitely played more minutes last night. Outside of that first US goal, he was quite good.
Also really nice to have some returning players.
Jiricek was awesome last night too.

IMO he was better overall than Galvas.

Galvas was not good. Looked tense compared to other games. Hardly had any impact outside of giving pucks away.
Certainly didn’t help his chances of being drafted. Hopefully he rebounds tonight.
I find Galvas is less effective against the big boys. He looks great against equal or weaker comp with all his skating. But he doesn't stand out as much in the Big 4 games to me. I think that is what the scouts see too. He's 150pounds and that is tough. I expect him to be on all star team next year and to have a very nice Tichachek type Euro role. Hope I'm wrong, he gets redrafted and makes the NHL but I'm skeptical. And only because of the weight. Maybe he puts on about 30 pounds and remains fast? Even at 180lbs and 5'11.. he'll be in tough for NHL work despite that skillset. It sucks!

Jiricek has improved with every game and looks every bit the first rounder.

I'll echo above.. the Fibigr/Port tandem was a work of art.
 

Czechboy

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How I saw it and you can disagree but state your views so I can criticize back

MVP is Hrabal.. zero question. NONE. 1 bad goal in 6 games and he was solid in the bronze shootout

Sale, Stancl, Sikora, Fibigr, Port, Jecho, Hradec all played above expectations.

Galvas was great
Jiricek did end up our best defender

Coaches were amazing
Next years team is better!

G - Milota
F - Kos, Sikora, Novotny, Chihar, Jecho and BENAK
D - Galvas, Fibigr, Jiricek and MRTKA

That is a hell of a start.. lots will change in a year but that core is beautiful.

Toss in a Titlbach, Katlocky, Dravecky, Skok, Curran (!!), Zaheskiy, Pekar, Folo, Poletin to fill out the roster. Plus whatever 'surprise' player emerges next year.
 

Mike Liut

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How cool would it be if Stancl, Jecho, Kos and Juricek all played together on the Blues in a few years. The Blues are pretty stacked with prospects, so it might not be that easy, but I’d love to see it. Stancl and Juricek are probably locks.
 

Czechboy

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How cool would it be if Stancl, Jecho, Kos and Juricek all played together on the Blues in a few years. The Blues are pretty stacked with prospects, so it might not be that easy, but I’d love to see it. Stancl and Juricek are probably locks.
Lock is Jiricek if he can stay healthy
Next is Jecho IMO
Than Stancl and Kos

I hope they ALL make it but St Louis is doing a lot of good things!
 

Goodman68

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Jul 11, 2016
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I can't sleep, so I'll evaluate the players now..
Hrabal- he had a fantastic tournament
..Defense..
Galvas- he played great, he still supports the attack, even in difficult situations he doesn't give up the puck unnecessarily
Jiříček - his performance in the tournament grew. His ability to hold the puck and play to the forward at the right moment is unique for a Czech defenseman (his brother is the closest to him). Together with Galvas, the two best defensemen, they can play again in a year, that's great
Dvořák - apart from the match with the USA, he was solid. Practically invisible in the offensive
Husinecky - for the drama that accompanied his nomination.., he fulfilled his role as Galvas' defensive partner excellently
Port, Fibigr- they played reliably and confirmed the legitimacy of the nomination
..Forwards..
Štancl, Hradec, Sikora- they created our best line. Štancl the best scorer, physically strong, Sikora our most creative forward, despite his subtle figure he was able to assert himself man to man
Šalé- very good, although not great, but he has nerves of steel

Maštalířsky, Holinka, Kos- were very good, I don't have much to criticize
Jecho- weak skating, but the goal against Canada will not be forgotten
Felcman- slight disappointment, I expected a little more
Židlický- has good movement, no one could expect more from him. Unnecessary suspensions spoiled his contribution to the team

Novotný, Čihař- both were much better than the last player, I didn't understand why they weren't in the lineup. Novotný showed fearlessness, good skating, in a year he will be one of the most important players on the team
Petr- no one should be angry with me, but this player was a complete mistake in the lineup, his only notable moment was when he "returned" like a lazy lemur on his own power play against Canada and caused the match to be tied. I hope this was his last match in the national team
.
Overall, complete satisfaction, Augusta did a great job, it was clear that the team knows what and how to play:thumbu:
 
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Pavel Buchnevich

"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Dec 8, 2013
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Jiricek and Novotny were the two who stood out to me.

I don’t watch for the same things as you guys. Can’t watch every team for every single detail with every player, but I believe I watched all your games and those were the two that caught my eye from a future NHL perspective.

I like Adam J. more than David J. I hope David can figure it out, but to me, Adam is a lot safer and has a game that will translate well to the NHL if he can just stay healthy. I don’t want to call him injury prone (it’s only been one big injury, right?), but it did set him back. I think he would’ve been top 10 easily last year without the injury. He has some faults. I don’t think he’s amazing offensively or amazing defensively, but he’s good at everything, skates well, and moves the puck very efficiently.

Novotny still looked like a young guy figuring out how to play at the U20 level, but he had some very promising moments. A lot of “almost” moments where he was close to being very effective, but a little lacking. He showed no fear and showed the potential to be a leading player in this tournament for Czechia and potentially the whole tournament the next two years. I don’t think he’s as good as Katolicky, but I’m starting to consider it. As much as I like Dravecky and Mrtka, I think he’s looking like the best Czech 2007 right now.
 

Czechboy

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Jiricek and Novotny were the two who stood out to me.

I don’t watch for the same things as you guys. Can’t watch every team for every single detail with every player, but I believe I watched all your games and those were the two that caught my eye from a future NHL perspective.

I like Adam J. more than David J. I hope David can figure it out, but to me, Adam is a lot safer and has a game that will translate well to the NHL if he can just stay healthy. I don’t want to call him injury prone (it’s only been one big injury, right?), but it did set him back. I think he would’ve been top 10 easily last year without the injury. He has some faults. I don’t think he’s amazing offensively or amazing defensively, but he’s good at everything, skates well, and moves the puck very efficiently.

Novotny still looked like a young guy figuring out how to play at the U20 level, but he had some very promising moments. A lot of “almost” moments where he was close to being very effective, but a little lacking. He showed no fear and showed the potential to be a leading player in this tournament for Czechia and potentially the whole tournament the next two years. I don’t think he’s as good as Katolicky, but I’m starting to consider it. As much as I like Dravecky and Mrtka, I think he’s looking like the best Czech 2007 right now.
It's a great problem to have! So many intriguing prospects.

Adam jiricek is a beautiful skater and looks very promising but his shot is meh.

David has the great shot and better offensive instincts but skating and defending may not be as strong.

I prefer David of the 2 but it's not going well for him at all.

Novotny looks like a first rounder to me but I gave my biases.

Katolicky also looks like a first rounder to me.

I did not love dravexky at hlinka but occasionally see some highlights and he looks amazing. He may be a great steal for us.
 
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