Last night the Czech Republic beat a game and skilled, but
unlucky Finnish team 3-0 at the Spruce Grove Agrena to open the world
junior hockey championships.
        Finland took the first offensive rush but the first quality shot
went to the Czech's Tomas Blazek.  At 2:02 Misak Dangasniami of Finland
was called for elbowing, but the first shot on the power play went to
Finland when Kimmo Timonen had a chance on a counterattack.  On a rush
following that shot, however, Krupa put the Czechs on the board with a
good shot helped by traffic in front.  Assist to Jan Hlavac.
        This goal was to hold up for the game, and was to be the only
scoring until the third period.  After matching roughing penalties at
3:25 the Finns showed off their skating ability with a beautiful
exhibition.  The Finns came close on a shot from Jere Karalahti, and then
almost scored on a great give and go, following which the Czechs skated
back for a good counterattack.  Pavel Trnka took a tripping penalty for
the Czechs at 7:14, once again giving the Finns a chance to show off
their skating and passing ability.  They, however, could not finish off
their gorgeous plays and as the penalty ended the Czechs skated back and
drew an interference penalty to Rajamaki at 9:43.  The Czechs don't have
the Finn's "style points" on the power play but did have sustained pressure.
        At the 15 minute mark Finn Goalie Jussi Markkanen stoned Zdenek
Nedved from in close.  He was frustrated at not scoring and took a
slashing penalty at 15:01.  This Finnish power play gave Czech goalie
Pavel Nestak a chance to show his skills when he made a wonderful save
after some nifty Finnish passing.
        Tempers flared at 16:22 and another set of matching roughing
penalties were called.  This bad tone continues and at 19:45 Czech
Miloslav Guren took a stupid penalty for roughing, allowing the Finns to
open the second period on the power play, except a few seconds later,
perhaps in the spirit of "fairness" Finn Antti Aalto was also called for
roughing.
        This was a very entertaining period.  The Finns were best 4x4 and
on the power play when their skating skills could be better utilized on
the small ice surface.  The Czechs play a more North American style, and
many of their players play here.  This was an even period in play, with of
course the Czechs having the edge on the scoreboard.
 
        Although the teams began the second period 4x4 this time the
Czechs got off three quality shots.  At the five minute mark Jani
Hassinen had a stirling chance on a great pass from Aalto, but he missed
the net.  At 9:50 Czech Marha's shot was stopped by the Finn goalie.  At
10:04 Ladislav Kohn tood a holding the stick penalty as the Finn's
applied the pressure.
        On the Czech power play their star player, Petr Sykora, was hurt
in the corner, and did not return.  The Edmonton Journal reports this
morning that he has a separated shoulder.  This is a serious loss for the
Czechs who had already lost three other players to injury.  I thought
Sykora may have been held a bit on the way down, but he had no
complaints  saying  in the Journal, "I just lost my balance and wiped out."
        The Czechs continued their pressure, drawing an interference
penalty on the goaltender Markkanen at 13:26.  The Finns easily killed
off this chance, then blew another opportunity of their own on a clear
shot in front of net.
        The Czech's Frantisek Ptacek went off for interference at 17:47.
Just after the power play Jussi Tarvainen almost put the puck past Nestak
on the backhand.  Overall the play in this period was rougher and more
ragged.
 
        At 2:05 of the third period the Czech's got the insurance goal
they needed, especially as it was now clear Sykora, who logs a huge
amount of ice time, would not be coming back.  Thomas Vlasak scored a
nice quick shot with an assist to Petr Buzek.
        At 6 minutes the Czechs applied more pressure and got a clear
shot on goal by Marha with a rebound, both good saves by Markkanen.
        After a Czech penalty at 11:20 to Pavel Trnka the Finns peppered
the net with shots, but could not score.  Some shots also missed the
net.  After the penalty Nestak made a great save on a bouncing puck.
Clearly the puck was not bouncing for Finland.
        This period had some great end to end action with good chances
for both teams.  At 17:37 Finnish hopes ended when Aalto took a cross
checking penalty.  Petr Cajanek was hurt and helped off the ice on the
play.  Finland pulled their goalie with 2 minutes left despite being
shorthanded.  At 19:37 Marek Malik scored an unassisted empty net goal to
end the scoring and the game.
 
        Losing Sykora is a severe blow for the Czechs.  I know that
before this injury I have felt that the local media have been ignoring
the Czechs.  They have a solid team and play well.  The Finns, if
anything, have been anonymous.  It is said this is an off year for them.
At times they looked brilliant out there, but of course style is not what
wins games if you can't put the puck in the net.
 
Arthur Berman  [log in to unmask]
THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER!!!
GO BU!!!