We entered the match actively, we had to hope for that. We were better and luckily we built up a lead. A minor crisis came in the second period. We didn’t give chances, the Kazakhs were able to reduce and it looked like anything for a while. But the advantage was still on our side. We still had the game in hand.
Mainly thanks to the three power-ups used. We are improving them, but I think there is still work to be done. Pucks fly faster now, that’s what’s needed. Especially against these tough opponents. We finally shoot from the first. Both Kubalda (Dominik Kubalík) and Košťálek hit it well. It will certainly help the confidence of players who are expected to score goals in numerical advantages.
Kubalda even prevailed twice, classically with his cannon. I know him well from Pilsen and he is simply Mr. Shooter. Especially in power plays, when he gets a good pass, he can hit it. From the first, up, around the player. It’s his floor.
Another three points were added by Lukáš Sedlák. Shows he’s a pushover. He can finish and pass. It performs well. But it’s a shame that we are plagued by more and more injuries. Due to the resignation of Filip Chytil, we then had to play three centers. At least some players got more up to speed.
In addition to Kaut, Daniel Voženílek also got his first chance. And he brushed it off. He wasn’t lost at all. It’s a shame about those two opportunities, he didn’t give one and once he didn’t get a recording. But it will definitely be valid for the team.
I liked the atmosphere even against Kazakhstan. It’s the World Cup, the show around it is just great. And I’m even more looking forward to home Latvians, it will be a full house. But I don’t expect an easy match. Latvia has lost twice and really needs to get going. Anything can happen. We need to recover quickly, but I believe the boys can do it and win.
| HIT EXTRA TO THE HOCKEY WORLD CUP |
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| The Sport.cz editorial team will offer fans regular coverage of the Czech team’s matches during the World Hockey Championship. In the studio, a selected expert from among hockey personalities and the editor of Sport.cz will discuss the given match with the moderator. Studio Příklep extra will always start fifty minutes before the initial throw-in. |
Tomas Vlasak
He was with the national team for a golden hat-trick at the world championships from 1999 to 2001. The former outstanding striker played 135 matches for the national team, scoring 43 goals. He also played at the 2004 World Cup, where the Czechs reached the semi-finals. He is the champion of the Russian Super League with Omsk, in the domestic extra league he won the championship with Pilsen. He tried the highest competition in Finland, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland, in the NHL he has 10 games for Los Angeles. For the past seven years, he has held the post of sports manager at HC Škoda Plzeň.
