Figured I’ll go through
Československý sport – the main CSSR sports newspaper - and their coverage of major international tournaments with a focus on Holeček. I've only managed to cover the first 4 major international tournaments of Holeček’s prime. Should give you clearer picture anyway.
WHC 1971
Preview: Czechoslovaks surprised by winning the Moscow Izvestia Cup in December 1970. This tournament and defeating Soviets established Jiří Holeček as a new starter. Although Soviets were favored going into the championship, not as much as later people would think. Big things were expected from the Czechoslovak team.
CSSR started shockingly bad. Lost the 1st game against USA 1-5.
March 20:
“Perhaps could be said that Holeček allowed one cheap goal. Yet the defeat cannot be attributed to him. The whole team took part in it.”
Sakač started next game. CSSR lost to Sweden 5-6.
March 22:
“There were ‘windows’ in deciding moments, whether in defensive activities of forwards, or in slow reactions of goalie Sakač, who didn’t play well…”
Holeček back in nets. CSSR wins over W. Germany 9-1.
Game report doesn’t mention Holeček. It praises both German goalies.
Next game. CSSR vs. USSR 3-3. Goalies on both sides had strong game.
March 25:
“Konovalenko was a big asset of the team of world champions…”
“Suchý noticeably improved, Holeček played very confidently, but also because the defense in front of him played with wit and sacrifice.”
Two out of three goals, surrended by Holeček, were scored in PP.
Tarasov:
“Goaltender Holeček surprised me with great performance.”
Pitner:
“Holeček’s todays performance came close to the performance he had showed in December last year. He had a few weaker moments but overall played reliably and I hope he’ll be an asset of our team.”
CSSR vs. Finland 5-0.
March 27. With regards to Holeček, game report only mentions he didn’t have much of work in the 3rd period.
CSSR vs. USA 5-0
March 29:
“Holeček played with extraordinary poise.”
“Even though it took half an hour till a first puck went behind Wetzel’s back, the biggest individual of the opponent’s team, there were no doubts about our team’s victory.”
CSSR vs. Sweden 3-1.
March 30:
“Who on the ice was this time so perfect that in this fierce battle made no mistake? Perhaps only – Holeček. He played again with unusual concentration and insight. The only goal, he let in 9 seconds before ending, could not have truly been saved because of a ‘windmill’ of players gathering in front of him.”
Holeček saved a penaly shootout of Hammarström in the 1st period.
After Czechoslovaks scored a 2nd goal on PK at the start of the 2nd period:
“Swedes then literally launched the ‘crusher’ but their surge was stopped by one man – Holeček.”
“As we have previously indicated, Holeček was the biggest individual of our team. Official statistics… speaks thus far that he’s been the first goaltender of the championship… And he really showed what he’s capable of. Moment, when blocked a ‘waist-high’ shot moving behind his back with his pad while lying down, was accompanied by astonishing and admiring buzz for a long time.”
CSSR vs. W. Germany 4-0. Holeček sat out, Sakač got a start.
March 31:
“Sakač was this time a very attentive goalkeeper.”
German goalie Schramm
“was biggest asset of the German squad.”
CSSR vs. USSR 5-2.
April 2:
“Chernyshev and Tarasov team bet on a surprise, they set a rapid tempo – a surprise really arrived! An unparalleled performance of Jirka Holeček. Performance probably determining, who’s going to be declared the best ’71 WHC goaltender. In the first 10 minutes, a ‘fire’ was truly set up around our goalposts but there was goalie whose reflexes and focus were unyielding.”
“The men of the game were both Holeček and ageless Jan Suchý who has been returning to his most outstanding shape game after game.”
April 3:
AP Agency reported about the CSSR-USSR game:
“Winning team’s goalie Jiří Holeček dominated in a brilliant match, he laid the groundwork for suprising victory with his performance. Every action of Václav Nedomanský presented an utmost danger to the opponent. As well as Jan Suchý, who turned into forward especially in the last period.”
CSSR vs. Finland 4-2
April 5:
“In our team, Holeček was totally reliable, from defensemen, Jan Suchý really got to play a lot as he likely stopped more pucks by his body than our goalie…”
Stats & awards:
World Championship 1971
1. Jiří Holeček (CSSR): 8 games / 12 goals allowed / 216 saves / 0.9474
2. Vladislav Tretiak (USSR): 5 games / 6 goals allowed / 80 saves / 0.9302
3. Jorma Valtonen (FIN): 7 games / 17 goals allowed / 223 saves / 0.9292
4. Marcel Sakáč (CSSR): 3 games / 8 goals allowed / 85 saves / 0.9140
5. Christer Abrahamsson (SWE): 9 games / 27 goals allowed / 284 saves / 0.9132
6. Viktor Konovalenko (USSR): 7 games / 18 goals allowed / 165 saves / 0.9016
7. Anton Kehle (W. GER): 8 games / 39 goals allowed / 319 saves / 0.8911
8. Dick Tomasoni (USA): 2 games / 6 goals allowed / 48 saves / 0.8889
9. Mike Curran (USA): 2 games / 9 goals allowed / 71 saves / 0.8875
10. Carl Wetzel (USA): 8 games / 38 goals allowed / 299 saves / 0.8872
11. Josef Schramm (W. GER): 4 games / 23 goals allowed / 167 saves / 0.8789
12. Urpo Ylönen (FIN): 4 games / 25 goals allowed / 171 saves / 0.8724
13. William Löfqvist (SWE): 1 game / 6 goals allowed / 29 saves / 0.8286
IIHF Directoriate´s Best Goaltender: Jiří Holeček
All-Star Team Voting: 1. Jiří Holeček (32 votes out of 60 ballots), 2. Jorma Valtonen (19 votes), 3. Carl Wetzel (4 votes), 4. Viktor Konovalenko, Christer Abrahamsson (2 votes)
OG 1972
Qualifying round. CSSR vs. Japan 8-2.
February 4:
“Japanese goalie Ohtsubo displayed remarkable agility and alert many times.”
No mention of Holeček who played the whole game.
CSSR vs. Poland 14-1.
Dzurilla in net.
February 7:
Poles started Kosyl, later exchanged him with Tkacz. Tkacz played better according to game report.
No mention of Dzurilla. He faced 10 shots, recorded 9 saves (zero shots against in the 1st period).
CSSR vs. USA 1-5.
Another American upset. Holeček started and was replaced by Dzurilla after 2nd period. Holeček was not singled out for any goal. In fact, he received no criticism from anybody. But his 4 GA from 13 SA look bad. 3rd period Dzurilla allowed 1 goal and stopped 3 saves. Mike Curran faced 81 shot attempts, 52 shots against and recorded 51 saves. Very uneven game to say the least.
February 8:
“…goalies did everything they could.”
"Curran shone among the winners, the team's victory grew out of his confidence."
Kostka:
“Goalie Curran has the biggest merit on the USA team’s victory, he was literally unbeatable.”
CSSR vs. Finland 7-1.
Strong bounceback. Dzurilla singled out as a
“real asset of the CSSR team”
February 9:
“Defensemen would have gotten A+, except for Tajcnár’s mistake who perfectly anticipated Järne’s beatiful shooting position and so – he passed to him. Otherwise Finns would have left with zero! Dzurilla calmed down his teammates right from the beginning – and us in the stands. Thanks!”
“Valtonen just can’t play any other than solid, others performed below their usual standard.”
Pitner:
“Already before the tournament we decided that the goalie, who starts, will be the one in currently better shape. It is Dzurilla and there’s no reason for changing the goalie. Finnish goalie Valtonen is good but he didn’t have luck this time.”
CSSR vs. Sweden 2-1.
February 11:
Describing 1st period:
“Actions of Swedes were more dangerous. One of them constantly cycled around Dzurilla.”
“We defended carefully and Dzurilla was outstanding.”
On the 2nd period goal of Lindh:
“Dzurilla had no sight on that.”
Generally:
“Luckily we had Dzurilla between the posts and he had just the right form which we like to remember on! He stopped everything – and there was no small amount!”
CSSR vs. USSR 2-5.
February 14:
Dzurilla starts, receives 3 goals, is replaced by Holeček in 24th min. Holeček allows the remaining 2 goals.
“In the 2nd period, Dzurilla accidentally deflected the puck into his own net and was replaced by Holeček. Switching goalies in a match with USSR rarely brought fruit. Just recall how many times Dzurilla exchanged his spot with Nadrchal and reversely in the past…”
“A pity that Dzurilla couldn’t repeat his marvelous performance against the Swedes.”
Typical 1970s Czechs-Soviets game. Lots of penalties.
“It was essential that during penalty kill, [Soviets] kept the space in front of Tretiak completely cleared.”
Chernyshev on Tretiak, post-game:
“He’s young, we believe in his talent. He delivered a great performance today.”
Pitner:
“Dzurilla was not the same support to his team as he was in the game against Sweden… Depression, which the team couldn’t shake off, had come on the team after received goals.”
February 17:
Soviet press’ game evaluation is quoted. Among other things:
“Czechoslovak coaches made a mistake when they prioritized Dzurilla in the game against Soviet players, who wasn’t mentally prepared for the clash.”
Stats:
Olympic Games 1972
1. Mike Curran (USA): 5 games / 15 goals allowed / 194 saves / 0.9282
2. Vladimír Dzurilla (CSSR): 5 games / 7 goals allowed / 87 saves / 0.9255
3. Leif Holmqvist (SWE): 3 games / 7 goals allowed / 82 saves / 0.9213
4. Vladislav Tretiak (USSR): 4 games / 10 goals allowed / 116 saves / 0.9206
5. Christer Abrahamsson (SWE): 2 games / 6 goals allowed / 54 saves / 0.9167
6. Jorma Valtonen (FIN): 5 games / 24 goals allowed / 140 saves / 0.8537
7. Alexander Pashkov (USSR): 1 game / 3 goals allowed / 17 saves / 0.8500
8. Walery Kosil (POL): 5 games / 26 goals allowed / 115 saves / 0.8156
9. Jiří Holeček (CSSR): 2 games / 6 goals allowed / 26 saves / 0.8125
10. Andrzej Tkacz (POL): 2 games / 13 goals allowed / 52 saves / 0.8000
(stats without the qualification round)
WHC 1972
Preview: After 13 years, Czechoslovaks hosted another championship at home. They were supposed to host a tournament earlier but couldn’t due to ’69 invasion. Soviets came close to lose their nearly 10-year golden streak in previous years. They weren’t as dominant as they were in the mid-60s. Czechs beat them in 1969 and 1971. Swedes could play with them too. Soviets anyway have eventually found their way to win again and again, even during this transition period when a lot of their 1960s stars were getting old and retired. Naturally, a lot of pressure was put at the Czechs playing in front of home crowd, most of all on their goaltender…
CSSR vs. Switzerland 19-1.
Lopsided game. Holeček played but no mention of him nor of the netminders suffering in the Swiss net.
CSSR vs. Sweden 4-1.
April 10:
“Holeček in goal perhaps didn’t have too much work, yet he shone with a few good saves.”
“Abrahamsson in the Swedish team was not as much of a support as ‘Honken’ Holmqvist in his prime years.”
CSSR vs. W. Germany 8-1.
April 11:
“Dzurilla was reliable although he didn’t have a special opportunity for more dazzling saves.“
„Kehle basked in the arms of luck throughout the entire game. Whatever he didn’t reach for – a goalpost came for rescue."
CSSR vs. USSR 3-3.
April: 13
“It was indeed a grand hockey and a grand game. All actors involved were its heroes but one of them stood a head above the rest: Jiří Holeček, whose performance marked a huge moral boost for our entire team. He played like few goalies ever did against the Soviet machine. He didn’t lose sight even in the most complicated situations.”
“Tretiak played reliably.”
CSSR vs Finland 5-3.
April 15:
“To break through the defensive wall of the opponent, solidified by outstanding Valtonen in goal, was not even a little bit easy.”
"The initial onslaught from the Finnish team was literally lightning-fast. Right in the opening minutes, Holeček had numerous unexpected opportunities to prove his skills, often stepping in at the last possible moment behind a disoriented defense."
“Holeček was an asset to our team.”
"The Finns held their strength until the end and were truly a tougher opponent for us this time than the Swedes. With the outstanding Valtonen, assertive defenders led by Rantasila and Numelin, and the dangerous Turunen line, they formed a team over whom yesterday’s victory was a genuine achievement."
Československý sport polled 5 former Czechoslovak NT players for their best 5-man unit of the, just finished, 1st half of the tournament. Rudolf Potsch, Jaroslav Jiřík, Vlastimil Bubník, František Vaněk, Ján Starší all unanimously named Holeček in their provisional “all-star team”. Starší put Tretiak in brackets behind Holeček.
April 17:
Puchkov (USSR assistant coach):
“CSSR plays better hockey in Prague than in Sapporo. It has good goalies, the team in sum is more balanced.”
CSSR vs. Switzerland 12-2.
Dzurilla in net.
CSSR vs. Sweden 2-0.
April 18:
“Excellent Holeček again.”
"Both sides played very carefully and cautiously, waiting for a mistake, yet the game had a good pace, and the goalies — both Honken Holmqvist and our own Holeček — had plenty of chances to shine. It was essentially a great duel between two great 'H's, and we were at a loss as to whom to favor, as both kept a clean sheet after the first period."
"And Holeček remained the unbeatable final authority."
„Holeček is the asset, the pillar.“
"Honken had his day again and held the team up."
CSSR vs. W. Germany 8-1.
April 19:
Goalies not mentioned on either side. Dzurilla got a start, Holeček rested.
CSSR vs. USSR 3-2.
Very tight game with low shots against on both sides, with the Czechoslovaks ultimately prevailing. Tretiak ended with just 14 saves while Holeček with 19. First Czech gold medal in 23 years. When Nedomanský scored the 1st goal in 9th min., and Farda the 2nd goal in 10th min., Tretiak hadn’t yet stopped a single shot.
April 21:
"What was decisive, however, was our defensive play led by goalie Holeček. All five of our defenders... excelled from the very beginning with complete composure and the necessary intensity in one-on-one battles. Our forwards also significantly aided our defensive effort by not allowing the opponents enough space to develop their attacks, thereby dulling the greatest weapon of the Soviet team. The USSR players could not even utilize their excellent speed and combination play, as most of their actions ended at the edge of our defensive zone."
"In comparison to us, however, the Soviet team did not have such compact defensive lines, and Holeček outperformed Tretiak. These two factors were decisive for the final result."
April 22:
Sovietskij Sport, writer Dmitri Ryzhkov quoted:
"Add to that the fact that goalie Holeček likely secured the title of the best goalie in the world with many of his saves, and you'll understand why our scoring was so meager."
CSSR vs. Finland 8-2.
April 24:
„Dzurilla was an asset, defensemen played well and forwards skated up-and-down diligently.“
Billy Harris, Canadian coaching Team Sweden, was asked
"If you were the coach of a Canadian professional team, whom would you include from the Prague championship?“
Harris responded:
„Today, I heard the selection for the journalists' All-Stars. I completely agree with it; I would choose all six players. And in addition, I’d throw in Yakushev and Sjöberg."
April 25:
Many current and former players were asked about their impressions taken from the championship.
Holeček:
"Next season, however, it will be even tougher; the standards for world champions are always stricter. I want to stay in the national team for at least two more years, as the experiences we had in Prague are memories for a lifetime. Everyone reassured me that I would be named the best goalie of the tournament, but in the end, the award went to the Finn Valtonen. When you're so close to it, it stings a bit."
Stats & awards:
World Championship 1972
1. Vladimir Shepovalov (USSR): 4 games / 2 goals allowed / 53 saves / 0.9636
2. Jiří Holeček (CSSR): 6 games / 10 goals allowed / 137 saves / 0.9320
3. Vladimír Dzurilla (CSSR): 4 games / 6 goals allowed / 63 saves / 0.9130
4. Vladislav Tretiak (USSR): 7 games / 15 goals allowed / 156 saves / 0.9123
5. Curt Larsson (SWE): 2 games / 3 goals allowed / 29 saves / 0.9063
6. Leif Holmqvist (SWE): 7 games / 20 goals allowed / 164 saves / 0.8913
7. Jorma Valtonen (FIN): 9 games / 41 goals allowed / 271 saves / 0.8686
8. Christer Abrahamsson (SWE): 3 games / 10 goals allowed / 64 saves / 0.8649
9. Alfred Molina (SWI): 7 games / 45 goals allowed / 279 saves / 0.8611
10. Rainer Makatch (W. GER): 5 games / 16 goals allowed / 90 saves / 0.8491
11. Anton Kehle (W. GER): 5 games / 32 goals allowed / 138 saves / 0.8118
12. Gérald Rigolet (SWI): 6 games / 51 goals allowed / 199 saves / 0.7960
13. Franz Funk (W. GER): 4 games / 28 goals allowed / 105 saves / 0.7895
14. Stig Wetzel (FIN): 2 games / 7 goals allowed / 18 saves / 0.7200
IIHF Directoriate´s Best Goaltender: Jorma Valtonen
All-Star Team Voting: 1. Jiří Holeček (86 votes out of 121 ballots), 2. Alfred Molina (12 votes), 3. Jorma Valtonen (11 votes), 4. Vladislav Tretiak (10 votes), 5. Leif Holmqvist (2 votes)
WHC 1973
Preview: Although the CSSR team were reigning champion, Soviets were heavily favored entering this championship. Summit Series at the season‘s start and subsequent exhibition games showed the USSR squad in absolute top shape. Add that the championship was held in Moscow, and take into account injuries / illnesses to many Czechoslovak players, including their star forwards Martinec and Nedomanský… and you’ll see why the expectations for the CSSR team were not as high as previously.
CSSR vs. Poland 14-1
April 2:
„We were aware that Polish hockey players made noticable progress in performance, and that they have good Kosyl in goal.“
„Poles played deeply below their capabilities. Netminder Kosyl literally resignated at times…“
„Holeček had several opportunities to prove that he’s in good shape.“
CSSR vs. Sweden 0-2
April 3:
"Holeček was the man in his place from the very beginning. He stopped many hard shots and resolved several dangerous situations in front of his net."
"Our defeat was decided in the last 5 minutes of the game, when it seemed that the match would end in a goalless football score. In the 55th minute, during one of the scrambles in front of Holeček's net, Söderström scored... However, just before that, this player had literally missed the biggest chance of the match when, in the 52nd minute, he was completely alone in front of Holeček, but our goalie made an excellent save. In the 58th minute, Lundström broke through the wall of bodies in front of our net and scored the second goal. It was decided; the defeat could not be averted. The Swedes were truly the better team."
„Holeček was definitely big player of the game even though the first goal was very unlucky.“
Svensson (Swedish coach):
„Goaltenders on both sides showed good play.“
CSSR vs. W. Germany 4-2
April 4:
„Lineup change occured in goal too, Crha got the first opportunity.“
„It’s pointless to evaluate individuals when the whole team played bad with the exception of goalie Crha who played reliably and sweated a lot especially in the 2nd period during the series of our players‘ 4 penalties in a row.“
"At the beginning of the final period, Paleček was sitting in the penalty box, and a few seconds later, Kühnhackel broke into our defensive zone, was fouled, and the referees commanded a penalty shot. There was a long discussion on the opponent’s bench about who should take the penalty. Egger took on the task, rushed powerfully, Crha tactically moved forward, the German attacker shot, but missed the goal."
Kiessling, German coach:
„Goalie Kehle in our team showed a very good performance.“
CSSR vs. USSR 2-3
April 6:
„In 7th minute we received a goal when Holeček blocked Tsygankov’s shot in front him at first but didn’t caught the folowing Volchkov‘s slapshot.“
"In the second period, our play improved further; the foundation was still a solid defense, but we were already more daring in our attacks. Tretiak had to intervene several times at the last moment. However, we were the ones who conceded a goal. During one of the rare chances, Volchkov gained control of the puck deflected by Holeček, found the open Bodunov, and he scored confidently."
Game summary didn’t mention goalies on either side at all:
"Our team impressed with the discipline with which it carried out the coaches’ tactical plans. Every player worked hard. However, our biggest shortcoming was that we couldn’t finish our offensive plays effectively; we often overcomplicated with passing instead of taking strong shots. In this regard, the Soviet forwards outperformed us—their ability to navigate the offensive zone well, and especially their ability to shoot decisively, determined the USSR team's victory. In our team, the strongest performers this time were the defensemen… The USSR team, as mentioned, had assertive defensemen, notably Tsygankov and Lyapkin, while among the forwards, we were most impressed by Yakushev and Anisin's line."
CSSR vs. Finland 4-2
April 9:
"If in previous matches our team had a poor start, everything they tried in the first ten minutes against the Finns went perfectly. They led 3-0, and goalkeeper Valtonen barely touched the puck — he was just retrieving it from the net."
"With their second shot on Holeček’s goal in the first ten minutes, they managed to reduce the score to 1-3. The goal awoke the Finns."
„But they didn’t shoot as much. Holeček had only 6 saves in the 1st period, mostly there were confused scrambles in front of him that smelled like a goal.“
"The power play was worse. We only succeeded the first time; in the following ones, the opponent got off without any punishment. Sometimes, we didn’t even challenge Valtonen."
"The end of the game was more difficult. After the fourth goal, the team let up; in the final twenty minutes, they couldn’t score even into an empty net (Hlinka). They made defensive mistakes, but fortunately, Holeček was in excellent form and allowed the Finns only to adjust the final score."
1st half of the championship was over and the press asked coaches about the best goaltender, defenseman and forward so far. With regards to goalies:
Czech coach Jaroslav Pitner named Abrahamsson.
3 other coaches all named Holeček (Bobrov, Svensson, Lunde).
CSSR vs. Poland 4-1
Crha got a start.
„Goalkeeper Kosyl’s form significantly improved.“
„The only Polish goal was scored as a result of Obloj’s shoot. Crha covered it with glove but the disc fell down into the goal.“
April 10:
„Crha was painfully injured during the yesterday’s training. Third goalie Sakač has been called in to Moscow.“
CSSR vs. Sweden 3-3
April 11 & 12
Swedes missed the injured Abrahamsson in goal.
Söderström „… is an ideal scorer and he beat Holeček from an almost impossible angle.“
"The evenness of the contest, the high tempo, and the intensity at the edge of what was bearable characterized the beginning of the final part of the match. In this situation, it was reasonable to think that the team that scored a [third] goal would win. We managed to do that after a clever and well-thought-out play by Jiří Holik and Hlinka. From that moment on, we were literally camped out in front of the Swedish goal for several minutes. Löfqvist intervened several times only by chance."
Swedish 3rd goal was scored during nearly 2min. long 5-on-3 power play which was followed by 3min. long 5-on-4. The score was tied. During the PP:
„Goaltender Holeček was miraculous.“
"It was a tough and exhausting match in which our team did not disappoint with its performance. Starting with Holeček in goal, who was once again a great support, all the players gave everything they had."
Svensson:
"As a former goalkeeper, I highly appreciate the performances of both goalkeepers; for Holeček, it's his standard, while Löfqvist had a tougher task and handled it well."
CSSR vs. W. Germany 7-2
April 12:
"For most of the time, the play was in front of their goal, where the small Merkle again demonstrated his skills, but he had already been beaten at least five times. However, we couldn’t hit the empty net; instead, the posts rang, and the crowd was left in amazement."
No mention of Holeček.
Československý sport, April 13:
"JIŘÍ HOLEČEK, the man in his position. He is a great support for the Czechoslovak team, and nearly all participants in the championship agree that he is the number one goaltender. Let’s hope that his current high form lasts until the final whistle.
The hockey goalkeeper. The man who bears perhaps the greatest burden of each match. Players on the ice can disappoint, and nothing may happen. If the goaltender fails, everything is lost. Our hockey is fortunate to have excellent goalies, both in the past and present. Today, the number one is Jiří Holeček, even though he wears jersey number 2. He was the hero of the Prague championship, even though the World Championship directorate ultimately named the Finnish Valtonen as the best goaltender. However, everything indicates that in Moscow, Holeček will not miss out on this honor, just like he didn‘t miss out on it two years ago at the championship in Switzerland."
CSSR vs. USSR 2-4
April 14:
"The Soviet team displayed a high level of play yesterday, with only goalkeeper Holeček proving to be an insurmountable obstacle for them at crucial moments. Had it not been for his excellent form, our defeat would have been more pronounced."
"The Czechoslovak team gave their all yesterday, but it wasn’t enough even for a tie. From the team of former world champions, only goalie Holeček demonstrated excellent form. He resolved so many complicated situations and saved so many difficult shots that he deserves full credit. The others worked hard as well, but at every moment, there was a noticeable difference in understanding, speed, shooting readiness, and physical condition."
"...the Soviet team ultimately won the match with their excellently practiced power plays. They converted three out of four, with the first one coming just 17 seconds in and the second after 68 seconds. Our players also had several chances, perhaps the biggest being Farda's in the 29th minute, when he was completely alone in front of Tretiak, but he couldn’t beat him with either of his two shots. In the final minute, Jiří Holík also hit the post."
Bobrov:
„I consider Holeček, Jiří Holík and Nedomanský the best players from CSSR team.“
Boris Maiorov evaluates National teams, with regards to goalies:
Speaking of Tretiak:
„Defense showed stable performance. Tretiak’s form remains unclear. Only Czechoslovak team tests him and that’s not enough.“
Speaking of Holeček:
„I think that this time, the Cs. team was missing individuals with skills capable to turn games in key moments in their favor, to decide the outcome. Netminder Holeček is only such character, I think in Moscow, he proved his qualities.“
CSSR vs. Finland 8-0
April 16:
“Martinec with Novák were given perhaps the best chance in the 4th minute, when they were completely alon in front of Valtonen. They didn’t manage to deceive the Finnish netminder though.”
“The promising development of the match was spoiled by the second period, during which there was a series of penalties. Our team lost its rhythm; playing shorthanded and even four-on-four didn’t suit us well. In those moments, the Finns grew bolder, becoming frequent visitors in front of our goal, but they did not succeed. Jiří Holeček dominated in such a sovereign manner that he once again confirmed his outstanding qualities. Unfortunately, our goalkeeper played just as perfectly in Moscow as he did a year ago in Prague. It’s a pity that this cannot be said for all of our players."
„Valtonen was not that confident man in the Finnish team, as we had known him a year ago. It’s a question why Läppänen didn’t start instead. Läppänen undoubtedly shadowed Valtonen with his performance here in Moscow.“
Jiří Hertl (central coach of the CSSR hockey association):
“In Moscow Championship, everybody except Holeček, Jiří Holík and Kochta played below their standard.”
April 17:
Jaroslav Pitner:
“Several players delivered everything what was in their abilities. First and foremost, Jiří Holeček.”
Stats & awards:
World Championship 1973
1. Jiří Crha (CSSR): 2 games / 3 goals allowed / 51 saves / 0.9444
2. Antti Leppänen (FIN): 6 games / 10 goals allowed / 149 saves / 0.9371
3. William Löfqvist (SWE): 7 games / 13 goals allowed / 182 saves / 0.9333
4. Jiří Holeček (CSSR): 8 games / 17 goals allowed / 212 saves / 0.9258
5. Alexander Sidelnikov (USSR): 3 games / 4 goals allowed / 48 saves / 0.9231
6. Vladislav Tretiak (USSR): 7 games / 14 goals allowed / 163 saves / 0.9209
7. Christer Abrahamsson (SWE): 4 games / 10 goals allowed / 89 saves / 0.8990
8. Walery Kosyl (POL): 10 games / 58 goals allowed / 344 saves / 0.8557
9. Robert Merkle (W. GER): 4 games / 27 goals allowed / 158 saves / 0.8541
10. Anton Kehle (W. GER): 9 games / 55 goals allowed / 314 saves / 0.8509
11. Jorma Valtonen (FIN): 4 games / 29 goals allowed / 151 saves / 0.8389
12. Henryk Wojtynek (POL): 2 games / 18 goals allowed / 38 saves / 0.6786
IIHF Directoriate´s Best Goaltender: Jiří Holeček
1st All-Star Team: Jiří Holeček
