GDT: Quarterfinal • Jan. 2 • Czech Republic vs. Slovakia

[DrunkElkCZ]

Slovak great PK and appalling Czech PP...

 

[that is unfortunate]

Does Canada have the easiest way to the finals in the history of this tournament?

 

[tobu]

the team you beat 8-0 was mentally unprepared, the kids never played in such a big arena, let alone in front of 22K fans cheering against them... the average crowd they were used to was more or less 1K... ever since that beating, the team bounced back, mentally strong and pretty much shut-out their opponents, I'll include even USA which scored 3 wide-angle goals

 

[joey16]

I must say this was one of the worst match I have ever seen at WJC. Mistake-free hockey isn't seen here much but this didn't even have the pace.
Very well deserved win for Slovaks though, they wanted to win much more, that was obvious. Congratulations and good luck in the semis

 

[Swipes]

It's interesting how can one coach make out of pretty talented group of players total crap

That is indeed an incredible art.

Still, there's always next year......I feel like I say that every year

 

[uakena]

It's pretty given that we beat you with system tonight rather than skill.

Why is that?

 

[Alerion]

Does Canada have the easiest way to the finals in the history of this tournament?

It may not look too bad on paper but we still have to get the job done.

 

[DrPabloRamirez]

Does Canada have the easiest way to the finals in the history of this tournament?

Sure not, because Czechs lost. Slovakia will be better and more dangerous opponent in semifinal.

 

[joey16]

I just literally loled at Nemecek being picked as one of our three best players of the tournament.
Who does it pick? Is it coaching staff?

 

[Swipes]

Sure not, because Czechs lost. Slovakia will be better and more dangerous opponent in semifinal.

If we had Bokros and you had Prerost, I think we'd win.

But congrats to you guys, good luck in the semi-final.

 

[tobu]

Why is that?

We won because we had a system, solid D, take-aways and counters. Czechs had no system at all, I have no idea what they were trying to play tonight...

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Whoa, Slovakia gets it done. Missed the game, going to have to see the highlights. Congrats to the Slovaks.

 

[FinPanda]

Congrats Slovakia!

 

[jcbio11]

Good game by Slovakia, the better team won. Player of the game for the Czechs, their goalie, was the only reason why the game was kind of close.

The PK was top notch once again and a good offensive performance as well. Felt like the Slovaks controlled the pace of the game.

On to the medal rounds.

 

[Kamzik]

Slovakia plays for a medal for the third time in their 20 year WJC history.

 

[joey16]

That is indeed an incredible art.

Still, there's always next year......I feel like I say that every year

It's true, sadly. But I'm kinda glad we lost here, we just didn't deserve it. All the tournament was one big disappointment (except for one match) and that would be overlooked if we advanced and made at least even the 4th place. Everyone would be happy and they would even give credit to Prerost for that. I can see it now.

I feel like the next year will be the year. Of course, there must be Jakub Petr on the bench. Or some other real coach.

 

[masinaLFC]

Top players for SVK - Godla, Bondra, Skalicky, Reway, Jaros, Cehlarik, Cernak.. Rosandic as propably the most experienced player from that team has been pretty bad..

 

[Kamzik]

Top players for SVK - Godla, Bondra, Skalicky, Reway, Jaros, Cehlarik, Cernak.. Rosandic as propably the most experienced player from that team has been pretty bad..

Good call on Skalicky. I think that was his best game for Slovakia in his two years in the tournament.

 

[Snippit]

Slovaks shutout streak at 121 minutes. Since the Canada game, they've allowed 4 goals in 4 games, 3 of which in one game.

 

[jcbio11]

Slovaks shutout streak at 121 minutes. Since the Canada game, they've allowed 4 goals in 4 games, 3 of which in one game.

Also I guess by now they have the best PK in the tourney.

 

[Swipes]

It's true, sadly. But I'm kinda glad we lost here, we just didn't deserve it. All the tournament was one big disappointment (except for one match) and that would be overlooked if we advanced and made at least even the 4th place. Everyone would be happy and they would even give credit to Prerost for that. I can see it now.

I feel like the next year will be the year. Of course, there must be Jakub Petr on the bench. Or some other real coach.

Yes, that's true. We didn't deserve a medal based on how we played this tournament. And you're right that credit would be given to Prerost.

Yep, I'll looking forward to seeing Petr made the head coach (fingers crossed!)

 

[Urbanskog]

Slovaks shutout streak at 121 minutes. Since the Canada game, they've allowed 4 goals in 4 games, 3 of which in one game.

I guess you didn't count the Germany match, in which they let 2 goals.

 

[martin1983]

Slovaks shutout streak at 121 minutes. Since the Canada game, they've allowed 4 goals in 4 games, 3 of which in one game.

FIN 1:2 SVK
USA 3:0 SVK
GER 2:5 SVK
CZE 0:3 SVK

So you say that 1+3+2 = 4, are you sure?

 

[Snippit]

I guess you didn't count the Germany match, in which they let 2 goals.

Whoops. I probably forgot about those because I turned it off after the first 10 minutes

Was thinking it was a 2-0 win, but that was Finland.

 

[uakena]

We won because we had a system, solid D, take-aways and counters. Czechs had no system at all, I have no idea what they were trying to play tonight...

I agree with you that there is talent differential between these two teams, but it didn't feel like the result of the game was decided by some coaching smarts, rather the than one team earning the win. There is reason commentators mentioned urgency and what not when speaking about czech players (it's not like they had a bad luck, rather they didn't show up).