USA 5:3 CZE | USA - Czech Republic (Hlinka Gretzky Cup)

Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Sweden2 – Slovakia2	11:0 (end)	\|	Finland – Switzerland	4:3 (1:0 after SO)	\|	Canada2 – Russia	3:1 (end)
USA – Czech Republic	5:3 (end)

final

USA

5:3 (2:1, 1:2, 2:0)

Czech Republic

Friday 09.08.2013, 19:00 • Hlinka Gretzky Cup

		Players of the Game: CZE Jakub Vrana, USA Nick Schmaltz. (21:08:57)
		This Breclav crowd is really giving their team a salute right now. They'll have a chance to see them once more, as the Czech Republic will play Russia for the bronze medal here tomorrow. The gold medal game between Canada and the USA will be played in Piestany.
	60:00	Game over.
	59:54	Goal for Team USA! The Czechs were unable to re-enter the US zone, and CODY MILAN shoots the puck from the neutral zone into the empty net to put this game away. Unassisted.
	59:30	Puck dumped into the Czech zone, they have to regroup . . .
	58:40	The Czech net is empty, they have 6 attackers on the ice.
	58:32	Puck is deflected out of play. Faceoff in the US zone.
	58:20	Icing USA. It's nail-biting time now.
	58:00	Bad pass to the point and the Czechs have to clear the zone and regroup.
	57:49	Time out Czech Republic. One wonders how long it will be before they pull Vanecek.
	57:49	High wrister from Zacha, glove save Nedjelkovic and he hangs on.
	57:00	Nedjelkovic loses his stick, he can't recover it but the Czechs can't get the puck.
	56:08	Backhander from Cody Milan, glove save Vanecek. Time becoming a factor now.
	54:15	Czech top line out in the attacking zone trying to make things happen again.
	52:57	Shot from Austin Poganski hits a stick and is caught and held by Vanecek.
	52:22	Nick Schmaltz with the interception in the Czech zone, goes in on goal but forced wide by the defenceman and his shot goes wide.
	51:18	Icing USA.
	51:00	Karabacek and Zacha try to hook up again in the attacking zone, but a stick in the way prevented a good shot and it went wide.
	50:28	Offside USA on the shoot-in.
	50:19	Timeout USA They obviously don't want to calm the team down and not let the lead slip away again.
	50:19	Icing USA.
	50:05	Jakub Vrana tries to get free but is forced wide, his shot wasn't too difficult for Nedjelkovic.
	49:05	Unphased, Vanecek makes a nice glove save on Schmaltz.
	48:46	Goal for Team USA! RYAN WAGNER got in behind the Czech defence with the puck and scores on the deke to restore the lead to the US.
	48:35	Nick Wolff with a high wrister that Vanecek was screened on and it hit him up high.
	47:45	Long shot by Vopelka, pad save Nedjelkovic.
	46:41	Now a long shot is caught and held by Nedjelkovic, and all fans in attendance get a chance to catch their collective breath.
	45:25	David Pastrnak goes wide, tries to find Vopelka at the side of the net and he swipes at it but misses the puck with half an open net! The US defender might have tied up his stick.
	45:03	Now Vanecek stops a US shoot-in with his paddle and is forced to cover it.
	44:20	Long shot from Jan Zahradnicek, Nedjelkovic has no problem with it but is forced to hold on.
	43:26	Nardella steps out of the box and leads a US 2-on-1 rush--he fires a laser toward the top corner that hits Vanecek's shoulder and goes out of play. Faceoff in the Czech zone.
	41:55	Pyrochta with a high shot, Nedjelkovic catches it then drops it and shoots in down the ice himself.
	41:40	US clearing attempt goes off the glass and out of play. Faceoff inside.
	41:16	Czechs back to the power play whre theyv'e been dangerous--after giving away the puck Bob Nardellas trips a Czech player to prevent an odd-man rush.
	40:54	Pass worked in front to Poganski, hits Vanecek in the chest.
	40:10	USA top line comes in off the draw, Vanecek catches a long shot and holds it.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Players returning to the ice. 3rd period faceoff is moments away.
		This has been a high-energy game, not technically perfect by any means, but a lot of talent on both teams and we've got a 3-3 tie right now, with a place in tomorrow's final at stake against Canada. An exciting 3rd period coming up! 3rd period begins at 20:34 CEST, 14:34 EDT.
		This crowd gives the Czech team a standing ovation as they leave the ice, chanting "Cesi! Cesi!" and banging drums.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:39	Icing USA.
	39:20	Goal for Team Czech Republic! This Czech team is going on adrenaline. Vaclav Karabacek won a battle for the puck behind the net and found PAVEL ZACHA, who went off the post and in. Assist: Vaclav Karabacek.
	38:34	Offside USA just after getting back to full strength. This place is so noisy that nobody heard the whistle.
	37:29	Now another chance, I'm not sure who had it but he tried to go upstairs and it went off the crossbar and out of play. Faceoff outside with 1:05 left in the penalty.
	37:22	Vesely circles the net and tries to stuff it in, there's a big scramble but it stays out. Czechs tried to argue it was over the line but ref say s no.
	37:01	Shot from the point by Zacha is caught and held by Nedjelkovic with 1:33 left in the penalty.
	36:34	Just after killing off one penalty, the US is back to the PK as Nick Schmaltz is sent off for hooking.
	35:57	Vrana the shot, Nedjelkovic got an arm on it but it lied dangerously in the crease before being swept away.
	35:05	Czechs having difficulty getting anything going, Ryan Wagner intercepts a pass and would have had a shorthanded breakaway but overskates the puck.
	34:20	Keegan Iverson is being sent off for slashing at Vanecek after a save, putting the Czechs back to the power play.
	33:49	And now a shot from the slot by Iverson is caught and held by Vanecek.
	33:07	Schmaltz turns and fires in close, pad save Vanecek, bck to Wolff at the point deflected wide.
	31:30	And now frantic action around the Czech goal with Cody Milan just missing a chance to score, big save by Vanecek. What back and forth action to this game.
	30:30	Breakaway for David Pastrnak, tries to deke but Nedjelkovic denies him.
	30:08	Goal for Team USA! But the US top line comes right back and takes the lead. Panicking, the puck was cleared onto the stick of JUSTIN SCHMALTZ, who made no mistake. Unassisted.
	29:26	Kovarcik with the shot, pad save Nedjelkovic, as the Czech players and fans are energized by that goal.
	28:51	Puck out of play in the US zone, faceoff inside.
	28:09	Goal for Team Czech Republic! The US penalty killers seemed to lose track of JAKUB VRANA, and he took a pass at the top of the circle and had all day to skate in and pick the low corner to tie this game back up. Assists: Jakub Zbořil, David Pastrňák.
	27:41	Play is stopped with the puck under Lukas Vopelka in the US zone with a crowd around him. The faceoff is sent outside, the Czechs have 1:12 left in their power play.
	26:53	Another US penalty, Aaron Haydon with the trip trying to slow the Czech rush. Back to 4 on 4.
	26:45	Austin Poganski with a high shot off Vanecek's shoulder, play back the other way.
	26:23	Shot deflected out of play in the US zone, faceoff inside, 4 on 4 for another :21.
	25:36	The Czechs are off the power play as they had two many players on the ice -- they actually had six players skating around the ice on the power play. We'll have 4-on-4 for 1:08.
	25:10	Puck worked around and Radek Vesely shoots from the high slot, big save Nedjelovic, 1:34 left in the penalty.
	24:44	Czechs put on some pressure and Jack Dougherty has to dump a player in front of the net--he's called for intererence and the Czechs will have a 2-man advantage for :04
	24:12	Milan gets a shot shorthanded then falls, Czechs start back with Milan still down . . .
	23:58	Offside Czech Republic, :50 left in the power play.
	23:05	Pastrnak gets a shot right in front but Nedjelkovic gives him no room, then puck is iced . . .
	22:48	USA's Ryan Mantha clears the puck out of play from his own zone, Czechs to the power play.
	22:04	Offside USA.
	20:44	Play is stopped as the US net is dislodged. Play had already started moving up ice when it was noticed so the faceoff is in the neutral zone.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Czech team returning to the ice and get a good ovation from the crowd. Americans should be soon to follow, then we'll have the start of the 2nd period.
		Well an energetic first period of hockey. The Czechs came out flying, really pumped up by this noisy crowd and got the first goal on the power play. The Americans started to take over after that, though, and they scored twice to take the lead after 20 minutes. 2nd period begins at 19:45 CEST, 13:45 EDT.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:35	Low ackhander from Dudek, pad save Vanecek in the butterfly.
	18:55	Long shot from Cody Milan blockered away by Vanecek.
	18:46	Offside Czech Republic.
	18:10	Goal for Team USA! Just after the penalty ended, but before Zboril could get back into the play, NICK SCHMALTZ shot through traffic, Vanecek got a piece of it, but it dribbled across the line. Assist: Jack Dougherty.
	17:30	Americans controlled around the perimeter then made a push to the net. The puck ends up in but the referee says no goal--Vanecek had it stopped and was pushed in after. Faceoff stays inside, :28 left in the penalty.
	16:47	The Americans pass the puck around the outside, finally Dudek attempts a shot but it's deflected out of play. Faceoff stays inside with 1:18 left in the penalty.
	16:05	US going to the power play for the first time as Jakub Zboril goes off for tripping.
	15:45	Jakub Vrana cuts down the right wing and tries to go far side with the wrister but Nedjeklovic deflects it over the glass and out of play. Faceoff inside the US zone.
	15:24	Another icing against the USA.
	15:02	Icing USA.
	14:47	Joseph Snively led a rush into the Czech zone and hit Vanecek in the mask with a rising wrist shot, puck went behind the net, and Joey Dudek attempted the wraparound by Vanecek covers.
	13:10	Great chance for the Americans, Jake Wallin tried to sneak in in the near side but it somehow stays out, then it comes out front to Ryan Mantha and he hits Vanecek too.
	12:09	Offside USA.
	11:22	Play in the Czech zone, Dougherty with a wrister from the point, caught and held by Vanecek.
	10:42	One-timer from Pavel Zacha in the slot--he already has one goal and this one hits Nedjelkovic in the shoulder, pops into the air, and slides just wide of the post.
	10:15	Czech dump-in bounces to Nedjelkovic, who covers.
	09:49	Goal for Team USA! Just inside the Czech blueline, Cody Milan dropped the puck for JAKE WAHLIN, whose wrister finds room on the near side. Assist: Cody Milan.
	09:05	Shot by Dougherty blocked by Kovarcik--crowd roars approval.
	08:31	Shot attempt by American captain Ryan Wagner gets deflected out of play. Faceoff in the Czech zone. After a fast start by the Czechs the Americans have been coming on the past few shifts.
	06:30	Brandon Carlo from the point, Vitek Vanecek had trouble with it, but the rebound is finally cleared.
	05:24	Turnover in the Czech zone, Schmaltz feeds Wolff, whose one-timer just misses the far post.
	05:10	Icing Czech Republic.
	04:04	Goal for Team Czech Republic! Big one-timer slapper from PAVEL ZACHA finds room just inside the far post and this building absolutely erupts. Power play goal. Assist: Vaclav Karabacek
	03:16	And American Aaron Hayden maybe a bit too overzealous on the hit and gets called for charging, though he disagrees. Czechs to the power play.
	02:55	American Keegan Iverson with a big hit--lots of energy to the start of this game.
	02:07	Czechs 2nd line buzzing, Nedjelkovic catches the puck for the game's first stoppage.
	01:10	Czechs buzzing in the US zone, Vopelka attempts a wraparound denied by Nedjelkovic.
	00:39	Dominik Masin with a punishing hit in the corner, Czech crowd really into this one.
	00:01	Game started.
		The national anthems of the Czech Republic and the United States of America have been played, and the opening faceoff is moments away.
		Starting Lineups: USA: Nedjelkovic (Weyrick) – Mantha, Haydon, Nardella, Dougherty, Wolff, Carlo, Snively, Rosburg – Bittner, Schmaltz, Poganski – Connor, Wagner, Dudek – Malmquist, Milan, Wahlin – Phelps, Turgeon, Iverson Czech Republic: Vaněček (Pechek) – Zbořil, Pyrochta, Pýcha, Mašín, Zahradníček, Mikliš, Ščotka, Matula – Karabáček, Zacha, Jenyš – Vopelka, Pastrňák, Vrána – Kovařčík, Veselý, Švarc – Černoch, Kuťák Referees: Fraňo, Šindler – Barvíř, Blumel.
		This semifinal game features the USA vs the Czech Republic. The Americans were 2-1 in the group stage with an overtime loss to Finland, finishing 1st with 7 points. The Czechs were 2-1 with a shootout win over Switzerland for 5 points and finished 2nd. As winners of their group, the USA are designated as the home team for this game are wearing navy blue uniforms with red and white trim, navy pants and white helmets. The Czechs are wearing white uniforms with blue and red trim, red pants and blue helmets.
		Welcome. This semifinal game starts at 19:00 CEST/13:00 EDT.

Commentary by

Derek OBrien

@@Djob76

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 10. Wahlin (Milan), 19. Schmaltz (Dougherty), 31. Schmaltz, 49. Wagner, 60. Milan – 5. Zacha (Karabacek), 29. Vrana (Zboril, Pastrnak), 40. Zacha (Karabacek)

USA: Nedjelkovic (Weyrick) – Mantha, Haydon, Nardella, Dougherty, Wolff, Carlo, Snively, Rosburg – Bittner, Schmaltz, Poganski – Connor, Wagner, Dudek – Malmquist, Milan, Wahlin – Phelps, Turgeon, Iverson

Czech Republic: Vaněček (Pechek) – Zbořil, Pyrochta, Pýcha, Mašín, Zahradníček, Mikliš, Ščotka, Matula – Karabáček, Zacha, Jenyš – Vopelka, Pastrňák, Vrána – Kovařčík, Veselý, Švarc – Černoch, Kuťák

Referees: Fraňo, Šindler – Barvíř, Blumel

1st period
	03:16
	04:04
	09:49
	16:05
	18:10
1st intermission
2nd period
	22:48
	24:44
	25:36
	26:53
	28:09
	30:08
	34:20
	36:34
	39:20
2nd intermission
3rd period
	41:16
	48:46
	59:54
Final