Canada Grinds Out A Win Against Czechia
“Can I swear?” Team Czechia head coach Jakub Novotny asked.
“Sorry,” a confused sports reporter replied.
“Can I swear?” Novotny asked a second time.
“Yuhhhhhh I guess maybe….” The reporter replied still confused.
“I’m fucking proud of my boys,” Novotny replied.
And with that the question about what Novotny’s thoughts were about his team’s effort against what on paper is a much superior Team Canada was poetically answered.
Story and Photos by Robert Thomas
As Novotny’s poetic response to to the media summed it up Team Czechia had played their hearts out solidly over three full periods against tournament favourite Team Canada at the World Para Hockey Championships being held in Moose Jaw.
It was a solid physical effort that saw Team Czechia use their size advantage to play a physical game against Canada.
Where sledges more often than not could be described as going bing, bang, boom as both teams threw and absorbed bodychecks.
For Team Canada it was more often than not the absorbing of bodychecks as the verb that applied the most.
Team Canada’s defenceman Zach Lavin (left) is bodychecked hard by Team Czechia’s Vaclav Hecko in the first period - MJ Independent photo
The First Period saw Czechia playing a very physical game.
Vaclav Hecko through probably the biggest bodycheck of the period hitting Team Canada’s Zach Lavin. Lavin was pushed back six feet with a punishing impact into the boards.
Despite their physically tough play Czechia was unable to capitalize with Team Canada’s Tyler McGregor scoring an unassisted goal at the 9:35 mark.
Team Czechia would tie the game up in the Second Period as Radek Zalinka would step out from the corner and score a powerplay goal at 17:26.
The assist went to Michal Geier.
Team Canada respond with the game winner later in the period when Adam Dixon scored a powerplay goal at 27:44. The assist went to McGregor.
There was no scoring in the Third Period.
The final score was Canada 2 and Czechia 1.
A pileup of players in front of the Team Canada net - MJ Independent photo
“We played very hard. I have nothing to say like. They played very well. I don’t have words right now. I’m trying to process it,” Novotny said after his initial poetic remarks.
He said Team Czechia knew it would be tough against Team Canada but wasn’t ready for the final results.
“We thought it would be a hard game for us but we didn’t think it would be only one shot (goal) to be tied with the Canadian team. So yeah I’m trying to process it. I’m trying to process my emotions because I’m very proud of our players.”
Novotny said despite the preliminary round schedule - something he was not happy about - which saw Team Czechia play three games in three days his team had played above and beyond.
“Our defence was great today. Our goalie (Martin Kudela) he made a couple of gorgeous saves that kept it close.”
“He did it perfectly today. There was a couple of saves when we are like holy, holy moly. We know that when he is in his zone we can count on him,” Novotny said.
Team Canada’s Auren Halbert (right) moves the puck while being pursued by Team Czechia’s michal geier - MJ Independent photo
For Team Czechia’s player of the game Radek Zelinka the physical bodychecking game was to his team’s liking.
“We really like this kind of game because we have a couple players in the dressing room would really like that so it’s what (the type of game) we want to play,” Zelinka said when asked by MJ Independent about the physical nature of the game.
“We got a win. I think it was a little closer than we would like but I think reflecting on that you have to give so much credit to them,” Team Canada captain Tyler McGregor said.
“They played an outstanding game. They’re fast. They’re physical. They’re big and they skated really well. They tested us all game long and I think for our team we were talking regardless what the score was it was good for our team to be in a close game and hang onto a lead in the third period,” McGregor said.
Team Canada goalie Dominic Laroque makes a big save - MJ Independent photo
“For us to be defending a lead is something we haven’t done in the last few years a lot late in games so I think that was a good test for our team to really play the right way structurally,” he said.
Asked by MJ Independent if he was surprised how physical of a game Team Czechia played McGregor said he was.
“Absolutely. I mean yes and no. They’re a big team and they move well. I will say you have to give them a lot of credit. We haven’t played them since December and already (they have) so much improvement within their program. Which is great to see.”
“We knew as a team they are big and physical, but I think as a team they’re skating a lot better and it allows them to play a high intensity physical game,” McGregor said.
Team Canada’s Tyrone Henry goes after the puck - MJ Independent photo
Playing the international final for the first time in Canada was a sense of pride for McGregor.
He said being in Canada allowed many family members to come out and watch the games - especially tonight’s key matchup when they face rivals the United States.
“It really brings everything out of you as an individual and as a team. I think those are the moments we crave so it’s so exciting to do that. Especially on home ice,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to doing that and playing in front of our home fans.”
Team Canada’s head coach Russ Herrington said there was no great surprise when it came to how hard Team Czechia played.
“We knew going into the game. They have the ability to frustrate you. They clog the middle really well. They have a terrific goaltender. and you saw how tough their D (defence) are to generate offence against,” Herrington said.
Team Czechia’s Vaclav Hecko (left) attempts to make a centering pass against Team Canada defenceman Tyrone Henry - MJ independent photo
He said playing against a team - like Team Czechia - where they have to “ scratch and claw to maintain a lead is important in terms of development of our team.”
Herrington said in the third period Team Canada’s coaching staff said they felt they managed really well to protect the one goal lead for the entire 15 minute period.
The grinding nature of the game and how they scored goals the hard way was something he saw of great value.
Team Canada’s Tyler McGregor (left) is knocked down late in the game by Team Czechia’s Radek Zalinka - MJ Independent photo
“ I think one of the things we’ve been accustomed to, and it’s been, not a fault but a negative for us is that we score pretty goals too often. And it’s nice to find a way to not score pretty goals and realize they count for the same on the scoreboard as tic Tac toe plays.”
Team Canada will take on Team USA in the much anticipated preliminary round play tonight at 7 PM.
Tickets are available for the game through sasktix.ca .
