In the second match at the World Championship in Edmonton, the Czech hockey team suffered their first defeat when they lost to Finland 3:4 after separate raids. In the shootout, Kasper Simontaival decided in favor of the defending bronze medalists. Captain Jan Myšák and another striker Jiří Kulich both scored a goal and an assist for the losers. The next match awaits coach Radim Rulík at midnight on Sunday SELČ against the home team of Canada.
Šapovaliv had the first chance early on, but he couldn’t beat goalkeeper Meriläinen. In the 6th minute, after the penetration of Lambert, Bednář is helped by the crossbar. But at 6:36 they were happy the Czechs were in the lead. Chmelař surprised the Finnish keeper on the right side from an angle.
When Järventie was sent off in the 12th minute, Kulich added. The top scorer in this year’s U18 World Championship scored from the left circle after Myšák’s winning throw-in. Rulík’s selection had already pushed the puck into the Finnish goal shortly before, but it was only after the whistle.
In the 15th minute, he did not take advantage of the hesitation of the Czech defense of Aatu Räta, whose bluffed backhand was eliminated by Bednář with a left foot. At 16:28, the Finns reduced Gut’s penalty. Heimosalmi charged on the right circle towards Järventie, who aimed exactly at the far post. Even before the break, the Czech keeper ruled out Koivunen’s chance.
The Northerners equalized in the 24th minute, when Puutio beat Bednář from the right circle. Coach Rulík attempted a coaching challenge to see if Määtt attacked the Czech keeper before the goal conceded. The goal was valid and the Finns also won a power play in which Kemell hit the post. On the other hand, Szturc had the option.
At the start of the third period, Kulich had a good chance, but Meriläinen kept the score tied. In the 45th minute, Špaček didn’t exactly aim from a good position. Kulich nearly scored when Lambert was sent off, but Meriläinen was substituted for a teammate.
The Czechs defended from Szturc’s penalty, but just six seconds after the end Aatu Räta sent the Finns ahead for the first time. In the 53rd minute, after pressure, Myšák pushed the puck past Finnish goalkeeper Myšák at the right post and forced overtime. The Finns did not prevent this even during Měchur’s stay on the penalty bench.
Järventie and Simontaival scored one goal in the build-up and in the raids, Järventie and Simontaival prevailed for the Czech team, while only Myšák played for the Czech team.
Under-20 World Hockey Championship in Edmonton (Canada), Group A:
Czechia – Finland 3:4 after Sat. raids (2:1, 0:1, 1:1 – 0:0)
Goals and assists: 7. Chmelař, 12. Kulich (Myšák), 53. Myšák (Gut, Kulich) – 17. Järventie (Heimosalmi, O. Kapanen), 24. Puutio (Simontaival, Jurmo), 51. Aatu Räty ( Hirvonen, Niemelä), decisive sat. attacks Simontaival. Referees: Hiff, Kowalski – Huseby, Mackey (all Kan.). Excluding: 4:2. Usage: 1:1.
Assemblies:
Czechia: J. Bednář – Ticháček, Jiříček, Svozil, D. Špaček, Hamara, A. Čech – Myšák, Gut, Kulich – Chmelař, G. Szturc, I. Ivan – Ryšavý, Menšík, J. Kos – Měchura, Šapovaliv, T. Urban. Coach: Radim Rulik.
Finland: Meriläinen – Nurmi, Niemelä, Heimosalmi, Viro, Puutio, Jurmo, Rafkin, Rajaniemi – Kemell, Aatu Räty, Hirvonen – Simontaival, J. Määttä, Järventie – Lambert, Koivunen, Helenius – Liukas, O. Kapanen, Väisänen. Coach: Antti Pennanen.
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