40
16:44
third conclusion:
Even after 40 minutes, the Czech Republic is still 1-0 ahead of the USA. The North Americans came out of the dressing room with a lot of energy, played more physically than in the first half and created more chances. In the meantime, the US boys have fired more than twice as many shots on target as the Czechs (15:7). However, the attempts are still largely harmless and Karel Vejmelka can collect everything without any problems. The Czechs were only a bit more active offensively in the last few minutes, but this time they weren’t too goal-oriented. The final 20 minutes are about to start in Tampere!
39
16:41
Kari Jalonen’s team now successfully keeps the opponent away from their own goal and confidently defends the narrow lead. It’s going to the last minute.
38
16:38
But the power play has at least ensured that the Europeans have taken control again a little bit.
37
16:37
The Czech Republic also remains without a majority hit at first. Pastrňák and his colleagues are in the lead for a long time and let the disc circulate a lot, but they forget about the finishes. Once Hronek has space in the right face-off circle, but cannot find his way to Červenka with his pass. The US is replenishing.
35
16:32
John Hayden
Minor penalty (2 minutes) for John Hayden (USA)
Now the Czechs are allowed to go on the power play for the first time! Hayden can only stop Pastrňák with a trip and goes to the bench.
34
16:32
The front row of the Czechs continues to sound the alarm. Not only the three offensives, but also defender Hronek is always dangerous.
32
16:31
Another disc loss by the Americans is almost expensive again! This time it’s Jiří Smejkal, who makes his way towards the US goal, but hesitates briefly and is intercepted by Luke Hughes. Very strong action from the 18-year-old top talent!
31
16:28
The Czech Republic is once again in the lead. Filip Hronek takes a slapshot from the blue line and fires the puck inches wide of Jeremy Swayman’s goal. Then it’s off to the power break!
29
16:25
Shortly before the end of the power play it gets really dangerous again! Vejmelka can only let the disc smack and the slot is poked wildly. The thing heads for goal twice, but Jiří Smejkal clears at the last moment.
28
16:24
Is there more for the USA in the second majority game? Nate Schmidt and Co. immediately push and establish themselves at the front. It is Schmidt who pulls the trigger a little later from the blue but shoots down a Czech defender.
27
16:22
Roman Cervenka
Minor penalty (2 minutes) for Roman Červenka (Czech Republic)
It couldn’t be more unnecessary! The Czech Republic suddenly has six players on the ice and gets a penalty for it. Červenka sits it down.
27
16:21
The US boys are now getting a little more physical and getting more out of the game. The Czech Republic is concentrating on the defensive and repeatedly launches raid-like counterattacks.
25
16:18
There are now significantly more interruptions than in the first third. Nate Schmidt moves into the Czech third with steam, but is blocked at the end. On the other side, a wrist shot from Krejčí lands at Swayman.
24
16:16
The referees have come together and are discussing a potential offside situation for the US boys. However, not much happened afterwards, so it is amazing how long the interruption lasts.
22
16:12
The USA come out of the catacombs with a lot of power and fire the first target at the Czech box. Karel Vejmelka closes the short corner confidently.
20
15:56
third conclusion:
Seconds before the siren, goalie Vejmelka grabs a boldy shot again, then it goes into the cabins. The first 20 minutes in Tampere’s Nokia areena go 1-0 to the Czech Republic! The Europeans were the more effective team in a first section characterized by high speed but also by a number of inaccuracies and took the lead through Blümel. Krejčí almost hit the post for a second goal. The US boys had more of the game towards the end and are up 8:3 in shots on goal, but there was little that was compelling. See you soon!
20
3:50 p.m
It’s going to the last minute! At the moment, the actors are mainly sticking to the gang and little ice hockey is played.
18
15:49
Almost the 0:2! David Pastrňák prepares with a wonderful cross pass through the goal area from the right and his longtime Boston teammate David Krejčí chases the hard rubber from the left to the outer post!
16
15:44
The Americans are now stepping up their forechecking efforts and also conquering one or the other target in the Czech third. They only do little with it afterwards and, apart from a deflected long-range shot, bring nothing to Karel Vejmelka’s box.
14
15:40
The game runs incredibly smoothly and with few interruptions. The US boys slowly recovered after conceding and took the lead in goal scoring statistics with 4:3. However, there was nothing dangerous about it.
11
15:37
The arrival of NHL star David Pastrňák did the Czech team a world of good. With his aura alone, the former top scorer and all-star in the world’s best league causes chaos among opponents.
9
15:34
The Eastern Europeans want to use the momentum and continue to make steam. From the offensive face-off, the disc comes to Jiří Smejkal, who immediately pulls the trigger in the high slot, but aims exactly at Swayman.
8th
15:30
Matěj Blümel
Goal for the Czech Republic, 0:1 by Matěj Blümel
Czech Republic takes the lead! The Americans lose the puck up front at the blue line and then it’s lightning fast. Hynek Zohorna sends Matěj Blümel on the journey and he appears a little later in front of Jeremy Swayman. With a strong body trick, he loads the Boston Bruins goalie and slides in from the left.
7
15:29
The US boys are going straight into their 22nd power play at this World Cup and want to score their sixth goal. But that doesn’t work, because the Czech Republic blocks the spaces very well and only lets a shot from Ben Meyers through, which goalie Vejmelka takes away.
5
15:25
Tomas Hertl
Minor penalty (2 minutes) for Tomáš Hertl (Czech Republic)
The first penalty goes against the Czech Republic! Hertl has to go into the cool box for two minutes for a hook.
4
15:25
There’s a good pace right away. Both teams consistently bridge the neutral zone quickly, often playing the disc deep. But we’re still waiting for the first shot on goal.
2
15:23
Jeremy Swayman and Karel Vejmelka are the goalies who are initially sent onto the ice. So far the two have had nothing to do.
1
15:21
Here we go! The USA are in blue today, the Czech Republic wears red and white.
15:19
After the surprising penalty defeat against Austria, the Czech Republic got back on track with clear victories against Latvia (5:1) and Norway (4:1). Above all, the top row around the two experienced players David Krejčí and Roman Červenka and NHL striker David Pastrňák has recently shaken up the opposing defenses. Head coach Kari Jalonen gets his top trio back on the ice today to snag the last point missing for the quarter-finals.
15:10
The USA have shown two faces so far in this tournament. In the clear defeat against Finland and the narrow overtime win against Austria, David Quinn’s team revealed some weaknesses, especially in the offensive game. But then you could then defeat Great Britain sovereignly and finally bring in a respectable success in a duel with the strong Swedes. Just in time for the hot phase, two more NHL professionals joined the American World Cup squad. The two attackers Matthew Boldy and Ryan Hartman, who were recently eliminated from the playoffs with the Minnesota Wild, are now strengthening Team USA.
14:53
Even before this penultimate group game, things are looking pretty good for both teams in terms of the quarter-finals. Behind the duo of Finland (16 points) and Sweden (15 points), the USA and the Czech Republic are in third and fourth place with ten points each. Since the Latvians behind them have eight points to their credit and have already played six games, a single point is enough for both nations to make it through to the knockout stages. The Czechs in particular would like to seal their progress today, as the game against hosts Finland is scheduled for the last matchday, while the USA have nominally easier opponents in Norway.
14:49
Hello and welcome back to the Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland! At 3:20 p.m. in Group B today there will be a duel between the USA and the Czech Republic.