World Championships

[imMagnum]

Here are my notes on the SVK vs. SUI game:

Slafkovsky:
- This was a very volatile game for Slaf. He made lots of high risk, high reward plays that resulted in high danger chances for both teams. He sniped a quick release with Siegenthaler defending him, but he also gifted SUI a breakaway goal as well.

- Slaf's 1st period was probably the worst of the tournament, as he had a poor turnover and a weak back check on SUI's first goal. SVK was bad overall however, and his coach noticed this. Slaf started the second period by moving up to the first line with Tatar and was double shifted. Immediately, his line generated momentum and his linemate rang a wrister off the pipe. He made hard cross ice passes that landed on his teammates' tape and was the first one to loose pucks in the OZone. He could've had more points than just the goal, but like every SVK game, his teammates couldn't finish Slaf's setups. His highlight was when SVK was down by one and he was double teamed in the slot. Slaf made a very quick spin shot (he's 6'4 and somehow extremely agile) that rebounded off the SUI goalie right to Tatar. In classic Tatar fashion, he missed the wide open net.

- I also believe he was misused on SVK's terrible PP. Slaf has an excellent shot, yet his role on the PP is to screen the goalie. It was certainly frustrating watching SVK constantly miss the net while their best shooter was on screen duty. He did drive SUI players nuts in front of the net on the PP. He baited Siegenthaler to take a really dumb penalty (Jonas put him in a headlock) and SVK got a full two minutes of a 5-on-3 because of it. SUI should've got another penalty as another defender gave Slaf a vicious cross check when he was nowhere near the puck. Not only are teams adjusting their strategy to prevent the 18 year old from generating chances, they are forced to be greasy as well.

- The biggest knock on Slaf is that he attempts the high risk plays a lot. They panned out in the first three games, however SUI was ready for him this one. It will be very interesting to see how he adapts to being the primary focus of opposing teams.

Nemec:
- This is my fourth game watching Nemec this tournament and unfortunately he's unable to defend against World Championship competition. I don't want to rag on him too hard, but just like his previous games, he does not move his feet in the defensive end. He only ever seems to activate when the puck ends up on his teams stick.

- His first shift of the game, he glided behind an aggressive SUI puck carrier that circled the net twice, generating no defensive pressure at all and allowing a scoring chance. Later in the 1st, after remaining stationary in his own end, his teammate grabbed a loose puck. Nemec activated and began to rush, however the teammate turned the puck over. Nemec then turned around and glided back to defend the counter attack, only to run into his teammate in the process. Hischier had tons of room to do Hischier things because of this and created an excellent scoring chance. Still in the 1st, Nemec defended a SUI offensive transition. The SUI player took a wrist shot, Nemec made himself skinny by going tall and vertical, and did not attempt to get his stick in the way. The SVK goalie made the save, and the SUI player easily got another shot off the rebound, as Nemec didn't have the speed or position to tie him up. He did have a great stick on one transition, so his defensive game wasn't completely bad.

- This was probably Nemec's best game with the puck. While he didn't lead any rushes this game, his passing was fantastic. He made a really strong two line pass that started a solid SVK attack. His best pass was a hard back door one targetting Tatar. In classic Tatar fashion, he missed the wide open net.

- I've mentioned in previous reviews that Nemec takes wristers from the point anytime he gets the puck. He actually gets the puck through traffic often. Nemec certainly has the potential to generate points through deflections and passing. He also took his first clapper this tournament on a 5-on-3 in the final minutes. Unfortunately, he missed the net and the puck rolled all the way down into his own zone.

- Nemec also took a high stick to the throat this game. It definitely hurt him, however he stayed on the bench and was able to pay the remainder of the game.

 

[Guttersniped]

Did Jiricek get hurt? Or why did he only play 42 seconds today?

Nope, he’s not hurt, at least according to the game thread on main board, but was bumped down to 7D.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Nope, he’s not hurt, at least according to the game thread on main board, but was bumped down to 7D.

He’s been playing as the 7th D all tournament. But he only got one shift this game.

Just looked he’s been the 8th D the last 2 games. So he was playing 7th D minutes and is now playing as the 8th D. Which meant one shift this game I guess. It looks like they got Michael Kempny.


This is a little surprising to me but I don’t think he’s really done enough at all to earn more ice time or be imovable. He’s been mostly just fine, and not overly involved, with a few bright spots (power play, goal) and also some not so great moments (turnovers, goals against where he could do more).

He has time and hopefully he’ll get more opportunity again but I think it’s a little disappointing that he hasn’t show more. He hasn’t gotten involved in the offense at all aside from the powerplay (believe he has 2 shots including his pp goal). He hasn’t gotten tons of opportunities but I’ve seen opportunities pass by and he wasn’t able to get involved.

Also, for a defensemen being described as a physically dominant shut down defensmen he really hasn’t shown that at all other than the odd shove, holding a guy off or the one play where he kind of rubbed a guy out after he dumped the puck in to go for a change. I think I’ve seen him get beat physically and knocked off the puck more than he’s done to others. I wasn’t able to watch a decent amount of the 3rd game but I don’t think he even registered an official hit in the games I was able to watch. I also don’t think he’s been that good defensively despite not being challenged that much. His skating hasn’t look very good to me either.

I’m guessing this is all part of why he’s become the odd man out. There’s a couple reports on his game in here that I think were pretty exaggerated. Especially when I compare them to the Nemec reports who IMO has definitely been better in pretty much every aspect of the game.

Maybe he’s still recovering from his injury and not back to 100% yet but unless he starts getting more opportunity, turning things around and he finishes strong this tournament probably isn’t gonna boost his stock.



I don’t know if Nemec has necessarily done a ton to boost his significantly but he’s looked good and gotten more and more involved since the start of the tournament. I think Slafkovsky has solidified himself as the likely number 2 and even put some more pressure on Wright.

 

[imMagnum]

He’s been playing as the 7th D all tournament. But he only got one shift this game.

Just looked he’s been the 8th D the last 2 games. So he was playing 7th D minutes and is now playing as the 8th D. Which meant one shift this game I guess. It looks like they got Michael Kempny.


This is a little surprising to me but I don’t think he’s really done enough at all to earn more ice time or be imovable. He’s been mostly just fine, and not overly involved, with a few bright spots (power play, goal) and also some not so great moments (turnovers, goals against where he could do more).

He has time and hopefully he’ll get more opportunity again but I think it’s a little disappointing that he hasn’t show more. He hasn’t gotten involved in the offense at all aside from the powerplay (believe he has 2 shots including his pp goal). He hasn’t gotten tons of opportunities but I’ve seen opportunities pass by and he wasn’t able to get involved.

Also, for a defensemen being described as a physically dominant shut down defensmen he really hasn’t shown that at all other than the odd shove, holding a guy off or the one play where he kind of rubbed a guy out after he dumped the puck in to go for a change. I think I’ve seen him get beat physically and knocked off the puck more than he’s done to others. I wasn’t able to watch a decent amount of the 3rd game but I don’t think he even registered an official hit in the games I was able to watch. I also don’t think he’s been that good defensively despite not being challenged that much. His skating hasn’t look very good to me either.

I’m guessing this is all part of why he’s become the odd man out. There’s a couple reports on his game in here that I think were pretty exaggerated. Especially when I compare them to the Nemec reports who IMO has definitely been better in pretty much every aspect of the game.

Maybe he’s still recovering from his injury and not back to 100% yet but unless he starts getting more opportunity, turning things around and he finishes strong this tournament probably isn’t gonna boost his stock.



I don’t know if Nemec has necessarily done a ton to boost his significantly but he’s looked good and gotten more and more involved since the start of the tournament. I think Slafkovsky has solidified himself as the likely number 2 and even put some more pressure on Wright.

I somewhat agree with your assessment. I thought Jiricek would boost his stock during the tournament and that certainly hasn't happened so far. He doesn't contribute offensively like you've said. He's been good defensively. I'd like to see him be more physical as a stay-at-home defender. He did have two hits against SWE, which was his best game. It seems as if Jiricek is afraid to make mistakes so he opts to play a very low risk game.

I highly disagree that Nemec has been better in all zones. He's been better in the OZone, but again his offensive game is just wristers from the point and the rare attempted backdoor pass on the PP, none of which have hit his target. Jiricek's and Nemec's breakout passing is even IMO, as Nemec gets more attempts and naturally misses more, while Jiricek attempts breakouts far less but has missed only once this tournament. Nemec does occasionally rush with the puck, primarily in the CAN game, while Jiricek doesn't touch the puck passed center ice unless he's on the PP. With the puck, a slight edge has gone to Nemec.

Defensively, Nemec hasn't had a single good shift playing cycle defense all tournament. If that's potentially exaggerated, feel free to refer me to the shift he played well, or even a period if you'd like. Getting sticks in lanes, board battles, moving feet, net front battles, it all goes to Jiricek. I think Nemec has one more shot block, but again, Nemec doesn't actually try to block shots. He goes skinny and vertical when someone shoots around him, while Jiricek will go into a shot blocking stance. I have to emphasize how little Nemec moves his feet in the DZone. The final 1:30 in the second period vs. CAN will tell you all you need to know about Nemec defensively. Nemec's transition defense has been solid, when he actually moves. He's probably had the same amount of transition breakups as Jiricek, with Jiricek having much less ice time. Nemec's also blown more defensive transitions than Jiricek. Compare how Jiricek handled Asplund's transition vs. how Nemec handled Anderson's transition. The effort levels are night and day. I don't think Jiricek has actually allowed a 1-on-1 shot through him this tourmamet. Multiple have gone through Nemec and Nemec gets beat to the rebounds as well. Without the puck, Jiricek has been at least a tier above Nemec.

You mentioned Jiricek could've done more on the goals against and I don't know what youre referring to. He could've handled the 2-on-2 a little better, but it was his teammate that turned it over and Veljmelka who got beat clean and unscreened. No way he catches Asplund who had multiple strides on him. Do you mind referring to the goals against you mean?

I 100% agree with you on Slafkovsky. I stated pre-tournament that Jiricek's WC play would make the poll closer and was I ever wrong! I actually switched my vote lol. I've been neglecting scouting Wright because I thought he was a sure thing to MTL. He still likely goes there, but Slaf certainly may be the BPA with a ton of upside. I could see MTL taking Slaf and looking like geniuses later.

 

[glenwo2]

Sounds like the Golden-Boy D-Men that some here are trumpeting that Fitz draft at #2 aren't doing so well.

 

[kudla]

Slaf will play with Tatar today.

 

[Guttersniped]

He’s been playing as the 7th D all tournament. But he only got one shift this game.

Just looked he’s been the 8th D the last 2 games. So he was playing 7th D minutes and is now playing as the 8th D. Which meant one shift this game I guess. It looks like they got Michael Kempny.


This is a little surprising to me but I don’t think he’s really done enough at all to earn more ice time or be imovable. He’s been mostly just fine, and not overly involved, with a few bright spots (power play, goal) and also some not so great moments (turnovers, goals against where he could do more).

He has time and hopefully he’ll get more opportunity again but I think it’s a little disappointing that he hasn’t show more. He hasn’t gotten involved in the offense at all aside from the powerplay (believe he has 2 shots including his pp goal). He hasn’t gotten tons of opportunities but I’ve seen opportunities pass by and he wasn’t able to get involved.

Also, for a defensemen being described as a physically dominant shut down defensmen he really hasn’t shown that at all other than the odd shove, holding a guy off or the one play where he kind of rubbed a guy out after he dumped the puck in to go for a change. I think I’ve seen him get beat physically and knocked off the puck more than he’s done to others. I wasn’t able to watch a decent amount of the 3rd game but I don’t think he even registered an official hit in the games I was able to watch. I also don’t think he’s been that good defensively despite not being challenged that much. His skating hasn’t look very good to me either.

I’m guessing this is all part of why he’s become the odd man out. There’s a couple reports on his game in here that I think were pretty exaggerated. Especially when I compare them to the Nemec reports who IMO has definitely been better in pretty much every aspect of the game.

Maybe he’s still recovering from his injury and not back to 100% yet but unless he starts getting more opportunity, turning things around and he finishes strong this tournament probably isn’t gonna boost his stock.



I don’t know if Nemec has necessarily done a ton to boost his significantly but he’s looked good and gotten more and more involved since the start of the tournament. I think Slafkovsky has solidified himself as the likely number 2 and even put some more pressure on Wright.

This was the 1st time Jiricek was officially dropped to the 4th pair.



The line-ups are also posted here and these match the official ones posted before the game by the team via tweets:
Czech Republic live scores, results, fixtures, Norway v Czech Republic live | Hockey, Europe

Jordan has been listed as the 7th for the first two games. Jiricek was listed as being on 3rd pair.

Jiricek’s ice time in the first game, 5-1 W vs Great Britain, was 13:23.
Ice time was
1) Hronek RHD 23:28 [1st pair]
2) Simek LHD 17:44 [1st pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 17:40 [2nd pair]
4) Sklenicka LHD 16:46 [3rd pair]
5) Scotka LHD 14:06 [2nd pair]
6) Jordan LHD 13:57 [4th pair]
7) Jiricek RHD 13:23 [3rd pair]
They might have had the line-ups start w/ LHD & RHD together.

I don’t have special team ice times for players but each team took 4 penalties for 8 PIM. (Total PP time was 4:14 CZE : 4:35 GBR)

Jiricek was on the ice for CZE Goal 3:0 (which he scored on the PP) and CZE Goal 4:0 (EQ goal).

Jiricek’s ice time in the second game, 3-5 L vs Sweden, was 13:50.
1) Hronek RHD 23:02 [1st pair]
2) Scotka LHD 17:58 [2nd pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 16:35 [2nd pair]
4) Jordan LHD 16:29 [4th pair]
5) Simek LHD 16:00 [1st pair]
6)Jiricek RHD 13:50 [3rd pair]
7) Sklenicka LHD 13:47 [3rd pair]

In this game, it was Czechia w/ 6 penalties (12 PIM) vs Sweden w/ 4 penalties (8 PIM). (Total PP time was 5:06 CZE : 7:33 SWE)

Jiricek was on the ice for SWE Goal 1:3 (EQ goal), SWE Goal 1:4 (EQ goal), CZE 2:4 (PP goal he assisted on), and CZE 3:5 (EQ goal).

Then Kempny was able to join the team because the Caps were eliminated and he was put on the top pair in the 1-2 OT loss against Austria.

Jiricek’s ice time dropped to 11:54 in that game but he was still officially listed as being on the 3rd pair.

1) Kempny LHD 19:37 [1st pair]
2) Hronek RHD 19:31 [1st pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 18:15 [2nd pair]
3) Scotka LHD 16:19 [2nd pair]
5) Sklenicka LHD 15:50 [4th pair]
6) Simek LHD 13:09 [3rd pair]
7) Jordan LHD 12:02 [4th pair]
8) Jiricek RHD 11:54 [3rd pair]

Each team had 2 penalties and 4 PIM. (Total PP time was 4:00 CZE : 4:00 AUT)

As you can see from the tweet in the top, Jiricek was dropped to the 4th pair in 5-1 win over Latvia and, yep, he played 0:42.

1) Hronek RHD 20:09 [1st pair]
2) Jordan LHD 18:29 [4th pair]
3) Kempny LHD 18:04 [1st pair]
4) Sklenicka LHD 17:54 [3rd pair]
5) Simek LHD 17:39 [3rd pair]
6) Scotka LHD 13:09 [2nd pair]
7) Kundratek RHD 12:21 [2nd pair]
8) Jiricek RHD 0:42 [4th pair]

Each team had 3 penalties and 6 PIM. (Total PP time was CZE 2:08 : LAT 3:30)

EDIT: Fixed the ice time with IIHF website because apparently Flashscore just takes a lot of drugs and guesses. So my mistake in using that site.

IIHF - Schedule and Results 2022 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

 

[My3Sons]

This was the 1st time Jiricek was officially dropped to the 4th pair.



The line-ups are also posted here and these match the official ones posted before the game by the team via tweets:

Czech Republic results - Hockey, Europe

Explore the Czech Republic latest results, today's scores and all of the current season's Czech Republic results on Flashscore.com.

www.flashscore.com

Jordan has been listed as the 7th for the first two games. Jiricek was listed as being on 3rd pair.

Jiricek’s ice time in the first game, 5-1 W vs Great Britain, was 13:41.
Ice time was
1) Hronek RHD 25:05 [1st pair]
2) Simek LHD 18:35 [1st pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 18:03 [2nd pair]
4) Sklenicka LHD 17:31 [3rd pair]
5) Scotka LHD 14:05 [2nd pair]
6) Jordan LHD 13:55 [4th pair]
7) Jiricek RHD 13:41 [3rd pair]
They might have had the line-ups start w/ LHD & RHD together.

I don’t have special team ice times for players but each team took 4 penalties for 8 PIM, with one set of matching penalties. And one of Czechia’s penalties was at 19:25 in the 3rd period.

Jiricek’s ice time in the second game, 3-5 L vs Sweden, was 15:14.
1) Hronek RHD 23:46 [1st pair]
2) Scotka LHD 17:56 [2nd pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 16:46 [2nd pair]
4) Jordan LHD 16:30 [4th pair]
5) Simek LHD 16:03 [1st pair]
6)Jiricek RHD 15:14 [3rd pair]
7) Sklenicka LHD 14:19 [3rd pair]

In this game, it was Czechia w/ 6 penalties (12 PIM) vs Sweden w/ 4 penalties (8 PIM). The Czechs had to kill off a 5-on-3 twice and there was one set of matching penalties.

Then Kempny was able to join the team because the Caps were eliminated and he was put on the top pair in the 1-2 OT loss against Austria.

Jiricek’s ice time dropped to 12:16 in that game but he was still officially listed as being on the 3rd pair.

1) Hronek RHD 20:28 [1st pair]
2) Kundratek RHD 18:50 [2nd pair]
3) Scotka LHD 16:32 [2nd pair]
4) Kempny LHD 15:56 [1st pair]
5) Sklenicka LHD 14:05 [4th pair]
6) Simek LHD 14:01 [3rd pair]
7) Jordan LHD 13:19 [4th pair]
8) Jiricek RHD 12:16 [3rd pair]

Each team had 2 penalties and 4 PIM, the Austrian had to kill a 5-on-3 for 18 seconds.

As you can see from the tweet in the top, Jiricek was dropped to the 4th pair in 5-1 win over Latvia and, yep, he played 0:42.

1) Hronek RHD 20:09 [1st pair]
2) Jordan LHD 18:29 [4th pair]
3) Kempny LHD 18:04 [1st pair]
4) Sklenicka LHD 17:54 [3rd pair]
5) Simek LHD 17:39 [3rd pair]
6) Scotka LHD 13:09 [2nd pair]
7) Kundratek RHD 12:21 [2nd pair]
8) Jiricek RHD 0:42 [4th pair]

Each team had 3 penalties and 6 PIM. There was one set of matching penalties and another overlapped for 1 minute.

So Jiricek on the fourth pair can dovetail with Nico on the third line. I can see that working well.

 

[Mgd31]

Holtz to World Championships maybe?

 

[Devils731]

Holtz to World Championships maybe?

Maybe?

 

[Mgd31]

Maybe?

Man what a legend this kid is

 

[imMagnum]

Sounds like the Golden-Boy D-Men that some here are trumpeting that Fitz draft at #2 aren't doing so well.

The D holding their own as 18 year olds against a tournament full of NHLers is impressive. Tough to choose them over an 18 year old forward that is playing as good as some of those NHLers though.

 

[stastny12]

Okay, I expect Slafkovsky level up his performance today against Kazakhstan. The kid needs to stop making so many "risky" plays and be more direct around the net. He has all the tools.

 

[Devs3cups]

Nice screen by Slaf, post by the d-man and wide open net missed by the Slovak player.

 

[Blackjack]

y'all a little too horny. Goddamn.

 

[Devs3cups]

Nice play by Slaf bringing the puck in the zone and giving to the trailer, nice chance.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Is this game televised/streaming anywhere?

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

Is this game televised/streaming anywhere?

NHL Network

 

[Captain3rdLine]

This was the 1st time Jiricek was officially dropped to the 4th pair.



The line-ups are also posted here and these match the official ones posted before the game by the team via tweets:

Czech Republic results - Hockey, Europe

Explore the Czech Republic latest results, today's scores and all of the current season's Czech Republic results on Flashscore.com.

www.flashscore.com

Jordan has been listed as the 7th for the first two games. Jiricek was listed as being on 3rd pair.

Jiricek’s ice time in the first game, 5-1 W vs Great Britain, was 13:41.
Ice time was
1) Hronek RHD 25:05 [1st pair]
2) Simek LHD 18:35 [1st pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 18:03 [2nd pair]
4) Sklenicka LHD 17:31 [3rd pair]
5) Scotka LHD 14:05 [2nd pair]
6) Jordan LHD 13:55 [4th pair]
7) Jiricek RHD 13:41 [3rd pair]
They might have had the line-ups start w/ LHD & RHD together.

I don’t have special team ice times for players but each team took 4 penalties for 8 PIM, with one set of matching penalties. And one of Czechia’s penalties was at 19:25 in the 3rd period.

Jiricek’s ice time in the second game, 3-5 L vs Sweden, was 15:14.
1) Hronek RHD 23:46 [1st pair]
2) Scotka LHD 17:56 [2nd pair]
3) Kundratek RHD 16:46 [2nd pair]
4) Jordan LHD 16:30 [4th pair]
5) Simek LHD 16:03 [1st pair]
6)Jiricek RHD 15:14 [3rd pair]
7) Sklenicka LHD 14:19 [3rd pair]

In this game, it was Czechia w/ 6 penalties (12 PIM) vs Sweden w/ 4 penalties (8 PIM). The Czechs had to kill off a 5-on-3 twice and there was one set of matching penalties.

Then Kempny was able to join the team because the Caps were eliminated and he was put on the top pair in the 1-2 OT loss against Austria.

Jiricek’s ice time dropped to 12:16 in that game but he was still officially listed as being on the 3rd pair.

1) Hronek RHD 20:28 [1st pair]
2) Kundratek RHD 18:50 [2nd pair]
3) Scotka LHD 16:32 [2nd pair]
4) Kempny LHD 15:56 [1st pair]
5) Sklenicka LHD 14:05 [4th pair]
6) Simek LHD 14:01 [3rd pair]
7) Jordan LHD 13:19 [4th pair]
8) Jiricek RHD 12:16 [3rd pair]

Each team had 2 penalties and 4 PIM, the Austrian had to kill a 5-on-3 for 18 seconds.

As you can see from the tweet in the top, Jiricek was dropped to the 4th pair in 5-1 win over Latvia and, yep, he played 0:42.

1) Hronek RHD 20:09 [1st pair]
2) Jordan LHD 18:29 [4th pair]
3) Kempny LHD 18:04 [1st pair]
4) Sklenicka LHD 17:54 [3rd pair]
5) Simek LHD 17:39 [3rd pair]
6) Scotka LHD 13:09 [2nd pair]
7) Kundratek RHD 12:21 [2nd pair]
8) Jiricek RHD 0:42 [4th pair]

Each team had 3 penalties and 6 PIM. There was one set of matching penalties and another overlapped for 1 minute.

Doesn’t really matter where they’re listed IMO. I just look at the TOI.
Where did you get the ice times from?
I was looking at the IIHF website and is says he had 13:50 vs Sweden.

Not watching but it looks like Slafkovsky just got an assist in a game tying goal.

 

[MauDevils]

Slafkovsky assist.

 

[Oneiro]

Really good game from Slaf today. Solid backchecking, nice job keeping the puck in tight on the PP, setting up a lot of chances for his teammates who can't finish them.

Very pleased.

 

[devilsfan35]

Slaf needs to shoot more. He keeps setting up Tatar but he can’t finish

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

Wow. penalty shot too.

 

[MauDevils]

Dangerous pass.

 

[devilsfan35]

Holy deke