More catch-up on the weekend games. Here are my notes for CZE vs. SWE:
Jiricek:
- Jiricek had an outstanding game. I read the comments before watching and posters stated they didn't notice him much, which makes a lot of sense! He played a very solid, simple stay-at-home game. He made more than a few fantastic plays however, that would only be noticed if you really focused on him.
- He was nearly perfect defensively in his own zone. He outraced and outmuscled multiple SWE forecheckers. He could find and connect the outlet pass and if there wasn't a pass to be made, he held the puck on the boards. One play, he had two SWE checkers on him. Jiricek won the board battle and kicked it to an outlet. Another shift, Jiricek outraced a forechecker and CZE immediately went up the ice for a scoring chance. That same shift, he bodied a SWE puck carrier into the boards in the neutral zone. When he's not in the boards, he's in front of the net, always touching or tieing up an opponent.
- Speaking of the neutral zone, he was excellent there too. He had multiple stick checks that prevented rushes, as well as two body checks. One of those stick checks allowed CZE to counter attack and immediately score. While he didn't get an assist, the counter attack started because of Jiricek's stick check. Another play, after keeping the puck in on the PP, Jiricek simultaneously made a backhand pass and barrelled over a SWE player. This resulted in another CZE goal and this time he got an assist.
- There were two knocks I found this game. The first was he didn't do much in the offensive end. He was obviously assigned as a stay-at-home D this game and was more focused on preventing counter attacks than generating offense. The second knock was he was on the ice for two goals against. The second goal was not his fault at all, as CZE turned the puck over at the same time Jiricek's D partner decided to pinch. The first goal against wasn't his fault either, however he could have played it better. He prevented a SWE rush and moved the puck up the ice where his teammate immediately turned it over. This resulted in a 2-on-2. I think Jiricek thought it was a 2-on-1, so he opted to take the passing lane instead of pressuring the shooter. The shooter beat Veljmelka clean.
- The best way to sum up his game comes from the commentator stating "the action has been on the SWE side of the ice in the 3rd'. Jiricek was out a lot in the 3rd and constantly forced pucks back into SWE's end. This might be a coincidence, however the exact same thing happened in his game vs. GBR. If you're watching the WC, be sure to focus on #5 for CZE. He makes subtle plays that yield overwhelming positive results.