The following is an article by Norm Cowley of the Edmonton Journal describing last night's game. I couldn't attend because I host a radio program (unrelated to hockey) on Thursdays: CZECHS MODEL OF CONSISTENCY Different opponent. Same story. For the second time in as many exhibition games at the Spruce Grove Agrena, the Czech Republic walked away with a 7-0 victory... This time, Germany was the victim of a five-goal third period period as the Czechs responded to a between periods pep talk from head coach Jaroslav Jagr. "I'm only happy with the last period," Jagr said afterwards through an interpreter. "It's in our nature that we didn't appreciate the other team in the first two periods and we didn't play with the effort needed." The Czechs managed only one goal in each of the first two periods but came out flying in the third as they continued to look like one of the top contenders in next week's world junior hockey championship. Tomas Blazek and Jaroslav Kudrna each fired two goals and added an assist while Milan Hejduk and Vaclave Prospal chipped in a goal and two assists each. Patrik Elias had a single. Petr Sykora, the young centre considered a high NHL draft pick next year, was held off the score sheet. He actually put the puck in the net late in the third period but the goal was disallowed. "It's the same like the game against the Russians," Jagr added. "I knew we had excellent goaltending and I'm happy with how it's developed." While Pavel Nestak fashioned the shutout in the 7-0 victory over the Russians, Tomas Vokoun was between the pipes Thursday. At the other end, Germany's Oliver Hausler made some big saves during the first 40 minutes but he was finally overwhelmed by the Czechs in the final period. Germany returns to the Agrena for the final exhibition game in the three-game series at 7PM tonight against Russia. The Czechs also wrap up their exhibitiion schedule against the United States in Lacombe. END OF ARTICLE I'll be headed to Lacombe tonight. Arthur Berman [log in to unmask] THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER!!! GO BU!!!