CZE 1:0 NOR | Czech Republic - Norway (World Championship)

World Championship

Canada2 – Sweden2	3:2 (after OT)	\|	USA – Finland	3:1 (end)	\|	Czech Republic – Norway	1:0 (end)
Russia – Germany2	3:0 (end)

final

Czech Republic

1:0 (1:0, 0:0, 0:0)

Norway

Sunday 18.05.2014, 19:45 • Chizhovka Arena, Minsk, Belarus • World Championship

		Welcome. Game starts at 19:45.
		Warm welcome everyone to yet another clash in the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus. Czech Republic will play Norway who have been more than solid thus far.
		Czech Republic Czechs are coming into the game off a tough loss to Denmark yesterday. After being decimated by health problems and some bad refereeing with the third Danish goal – that took the game to overtime – they seek redemption in this game against a hard and tough opponent. The Czechs are currently 4th with 7 points, the same as Norway in 5th seed. Best scorers: Ondrej Nemec (1+5) 6 points Jaromir Jagr (3+2) 5 points Roman Cervenka (1+3) 4 points Goalies: Alexander Salak – 5 games, 88.37 SVS%, 2.18 GAA Jakub Kovar – 1 game, 69.23 SVS%, 6.59 GAA. Previous games: Slovakia – Czech Rep. 2-3 OT Sweden – Czech Rep. 4-3 SO Czech Rep. – Canada 3-4 Czech Rep. – Italy 2-0 Denmark – Czech Rep. 4-3 SO.
		Norway Norway are having a great time on the tournament – they're at the brink of qualifying for the next round – currently 5th with the same number of points as the Czechs, today's game could have a lot with their faith. But, they've won only against Italy and Denmark, which are all weaker than them and lost against France, which are proving to be a tough opponent and someone who we should calculate with during Championships like this. Best scorers: Mathis Olimb (1+6) 7 points Ken Andre Olimb (1+4) 5 points Morten Ask (3+2) 5 points Goalies: Lars Haugen – 4 games, 87.25 SVS%, 3.18 GAA Steffen Soberg – 1 game, 94.29 SVS%, 2.04 GAA. Previous games: Italy – Norway 0-3 Norway – Denmark 4-3 Norway – Sweden 1-2 Slovakia – Norway 5-2 France – Norway 5-4 SO.
		Today's scratches: Czech Republic: Roman Polak (D) Norway: Lars Volden (G) Nicolai Bryhnisveen (D) Andreas Stene (F).
		Tonight's game features a record-breaker in ice time on the Championship – Jonas Holos of Norway so far has played 160:11, averaging 32:02 per game.
		Starting lineups: Czech Republic: Salak (Kovar) – Nemec, Vitasek, Sobotka, Hertl, Jagr – Kindl, Jordan, Cervenka, Klepis, Vondrka – Zamorsky, Kolar, Novotny, Hudler, Sekac – Sevc, Zatovic, Kovar, Roline, Petruzalek Norway: Soberg (Haugen) – Holos, Bonsaksen, Hansen, Roymark, Forsberg – Trygg, Odegaard, Bastiansen, Olimb K. A., Olimb M. – Sorvik, Espeland, Olden, Skroder, Ask – Lovlie, Martinsen, Roest, Dahlstrom, Thoresen Referees: Ronn (FIN), Vinnerborg (SWE) – Dahmen (SWE), Semjonov (EST).
	00:01	Game started.
	00:11	We're off with tonight's game, the Norwegians won the first draw, but couldn't find space to shoot on net.
	00:39	Goal for Team Czech Republic! Tomas Hertl got the centering pass from Jaromir Jagr from the left boards, he fired from close range in the slot, Soberg deflected the shot only to the right where VLADIMIR SOBOTKA got to it first and chipped the backander into the back of the net. Assists: Tomas Hertl, Jaromir Jagr.
	01:44	Jiri Sekac and Jiri Novotny get into the zone, but Novotny's shot gets blocked on the way from the blue line.
	03:16	Soberg has some more problems as Jordan fires from the blue line, but somehow gets to deflect the shot wide into the boards.
	03:57	Sondre Olden gets denied entering the zone and then Per-Age Skroder picks it up but the furthest he got was just past the line, the Czech defense puts high pressure in the opening moments.
	04:29	Jiri Hudler on the right blue line gets the pass to the other side but the shot gets wide to the right.
	04:49	A shoulder stop by Soberg who has really been under constant attack from all sides.
	05:23	A scramble in the neutral zone goes to Norway who organize a new attack, but Roline steals it and drives over the right, shoots with a backhand but Soberg easily deflects aside.
	05:56	Icing called against team Norway.
	06:05	The Czechs win the draw, Jagr stretches to the right towards the boards, though he can't keep possession, though his team mates don't let the puck out of the zone.
	06:44	A couple of shots fired at Norwegian goal now from the slot, all of them dangerous, but Soberg manages to deflect. The Czechs are putting a lot of pressure. The best chance was the first when Jagr fed in from the right boards for oncoming Jan Kolar who couldn't deflect the puck past Soberg from very close range.
		Shots on goal are 11-0 in favor of the Czechs so far.
	07:41	Offside team Czech Republic.
	07:49	A huge mistake in the Czech defense as Nemec misses the puck going back in his own zone, Sondre Olden is there but stretching the play to the right can't beat Salak with the backhand.
	08:25	Another huge opportunity for team Czech Republic – Jakub Kindl dekes out a defenseman in front, slides to the left of the slot and sends the shot slightly to the right of the opposite post.
	09:36	The Norwegians just dump the puck in from the neutral zone and, practically, had it over to the Czechs.
	10:17	Ken Andre Olimb tries a shot from a severe angle on the left, Salak has no problems.
	10:22	Ondrej Vitasek (CZE) gets called for hooking behind his own net.
		Norway is 13th overall on the powerplay, having gone 3 for 22 thus far in the tournament.
	11:09	After two clearances they finally establish an offense in the zone, and immediately it's very dangerous with a feed from the right boards, but Alexander Salak falling deflects the pass before the shot with a smooth hookcheck.
	12:22	Team Czech Republic back at full strength.
	12:37	Andreas Martinsen dashes into the zone over the left alley and strikes a hard wrister on Salak, who makes the pad save and the puck deflects high into the protective netting.
	13:19	The Czechs trying to get into the zone, but the Norwegians block their attempts in the neutral zone.
	13:47	Now Kindl follows Tomas Hertl as the Czechs take two shots from the blue line, neither of them really posing a threat for Soberg.
	14:52	The Norwegians play a combination in the zone, but the shot from the blue gets blocked on the way.
	15:01	Michal Vondrka sends a feed in from the right boards trying to find Roman Cervenka before the net on the left side, though he got screened well and couldn't deflect the shot.
	15:44	Icing against team Czech Republic.
	16:12	Intentional offside by team Czech Republic trying to get in through the middle and form and offense, so the draw will come back deep into their zone.
	16:36	The Czechs again on the offense from the right, the feed diagonally from the boards finds the forward in the slot, though the deflections comes just wide to the left of the net.
	17:24	The Czechs still in the zone, building on the attack, but can't take any shots as the Norwegians successfully close the gaps.
	17:30	Mathis Olimb (NOR) gets called for hooking on Jaromir Jagr in the neutral zone.
	18:18	Roman Cervenka with the possession on the right wing sends the pass to the blue line where Jakub Kindl strikes a slapper, blocked on the way to the net and off to the boards.
	18:49	The Norwegians with a good penalty kill so far, clearing the zone a couple of times.
	19:00	One minute left in the first period.
	19:30	Team Norway are back at full strength.
	19:53	Mathis Olimb finds himself in a good spot as he skates back on, Niklas Roest slides the puck in from the right boards and Olimb on the edge of the slot fires into Salak who makes the save and holds on.
	20:00	1st period finished.
		After an entertaining first 20 minutes the Czechs find themselves in the driving seat, though the score should have been more. They were obviously dominant against the opposition, though it was difficult to find the back of the net. After a fireworks start they continued the pressure, while the Norwegians had their first shot on net later than expected. Sure the game can't get better than this.
		Shots on goal: CZE 13, NOR 8 Penalties: CZE 2, NOR 2 Powerplay: CZE 0/1, NOR 0/1. Second period coming up at approx. 20:34 CET, 22:34 MSK, 14:34 EDT.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
	20:08	Second period is off and immediatelly Jaromir Jagr gets whistled down for offside.
	20:17	Soberg has to start making saves early as the Czechs again have a strong start to the period.
	21:08	Here's another chance on the Czech side from the slot, though Soberg makes the save from close range.
	21:20	Roman Cervenka (CZE) is called for boarding and Norway will go on another powerplay. They're 0 for 1 tonight.
	21:52	The Czechs cleared once so far, before the Norwegians got the game going – Jonas Holos finds space on the right and alone strikes a shot towards the net, Salak deflects it off.
	23:20	The Czechs are back to five on the ice.
	23:35	Roman Cervenka gets inside the zone and receives a backdoor pass to the blue line on the Czech break, but his hard slapped shot hits the post and ricochetes off.
	24:31	Roman Cervenka again in the slot and again it's dangerous. The puck gets to him from behind, he takes two shots but can't beat Soberg who comes out strong and stones him cold.
	25:38	Team Norway can't keep the puck in the zone, can't keep possession and then the Czechs ice it diagonally over the ice, for really no reason.
	26:09	The Czechs clear the zone and Norway gets the puck in the neutral zone, but can't go inside due to delayed offside, and then when they get the chance dump it in for the Czechs to pick up.
	26:59	A great chance for Norway as they take the puck from their own zone over the left and take a shot that misses the net to the left and bounces off to the crease and slot, but there is no one to pick it up.
	27:55	Jakub Kindl takes another shot from the blue, easy save for Soberg.
	28:05	Jakub Klepis tries to find a gap and shoot off the draw – Odegaard blocks his shot and Norway takes over possession.
	28:34	Penalty shot for team Norway – Alexander Salak threw his stick towards Morten Ask in his attempt to hook check the puck off his stick.
		Alexander Salak saves Ken Andre Olimb's shot who takes the puck through the middle, and couldn't deke the Czech netminder from close range.
	29:08	Despite the Czech clearance from the zone and high pressure, they can't keep the puck and organize in the zone.
	29:23	Jakub Klepis takes a shot from outside the right faceoff circle, Steffen Soberg is in place and cool enough to pick up a chest save.
	29:33	Jakub Klepis receives a feed in from the left, he tries to slide the puck in from really close range, but hits the post and skates off to behind the net with the puck. Later on, the Czechs couldn't center the puck accurate enough to find someone with shooting opportunity.
	30:41	Bastiansen has the puck in the right corner of the Czech zone, but there is no one to help him out and pass to, so he gets double-teamed and loses possession.
	31:33	Henrik Odegaard (NOR) will get a kneeing call on Martin Zatovic near the Norwegian blue line. The Czechs so far on the powerplay 6th overall, 5 for 23.
	32:07	Following the draw Jaromir Jagr had possession on the right of the circle, looks for a feed in the middle but in the end decides to take a shot himself – not bad at all but the Norwegian goalie keeps his head cool.
	32:34	Another shot by the Czechs from the blue line, Soberg makes the save and then some pushing and shoving before the net, the referees get right amid all the action and prevent further escallations.
	33:04	The Czechs hit the bar! Jan Kovar seems to have taken the shot from the left wing, through traffic in front as one of the forwards was blocking Soberg's view – only hits the bar and the shot ricochetes away. So unlucky for the Czech Republic!
	33:33	Team Norway back at full strength.
	34:23	Vitasek shoots from past the left circle, can't get the puck into the net and then the puck deflects to Martin Sevc whose shot from the slot through traffic gets saved by Soberg who emerges strong.
	34:43	Tomas Rolinek goes for the wrap around from the left and exits on the right taking a shot, Soberg deflects with his pads once again.
	35:42	A center ice pass into the zone catching defense off guard, but Anders Bastiansen can't score as Salak covers the five-hole.
	36:13	Roman Cervenka strikes a backhander from the slot getting to the right post, but in the waning moments switches to forehand and hits the opposite post. Unbeliveable how unlucky the Czechs can get.
	37:38	Team Norway clear and go for the line change as the Czechs try to catch them while they hadn't set up.
	38:38	Tomas Hertl gets double teamed in front of the net trying to pick up the deflection off Jaromir Jagr's shot, and Mats Trygg (NOR) gets the call for hooking.
	38:51	Jagr from the right wing finds Tomas Hertl before the right post, he slides a backdoor pass through his legs into the slot looking for Sobotka, who wasn't there to slide the nice feed in. Fancy moves by Hertl.
	39:00	One minute to go before the second intermission.
	39:54	Jaromir Jagr tries a backhander in the slot through a lot of traffic as he gets the ricocheted puck, no goal. Great powerplay from the Czechs so far.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
		Second period was much the same as the first – the Czechs were dominant throughout the period, but couldn't find the back of the net. The Norwegians had one promising opportunity, Anders Bastiansen was going all alone with Salak, though he stoned him cold. The Czechs will have some more time on the powerplay at the start of the third period.
		Shots on goal: CZE 15 (28), NOR 5 (13) Penalties: CZE 2 (4), NOR 4 (6) Powerplay: CZE 0/2, NOR 0/2 (powerplay continues in the 3rd period) Third period coming up at approx. 21:22 CET, 23:22 MSK, 15:22 EDT.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
	40:25	Jagr from the right corner of the attacking zone finds Zatovic in the slot but Soberg comes out strong and ricochetes the puck off. Little time left on the powerplay.
	40:38	Team Norway are back at full strength. The Czechs are now 0 for 3 on the powerplay tonight.
	41:38	Salak emerges strong and deflects the shot as Olden was alone on the left period and the Norwegians knew it sendig a diagonal pass through the whole offensive zone. With time to spare, Sondre Olden couldn't find the back of the net.
	42:19	Hudler gets the puck Rolinek on the blue line, but the latter couldn't get it in past two defensemen and keep possession to shoot.
	42:47	Jaromir Jagr loses possession on the blue line, but keeps possession in the neutral zone and then gets the pass to Tomas Hertl before the net, though there was no shot in the end.
	43:58	Jiri Sekac finds some space from the blue line, slide through the defense and into the slot but can't beat Soberg. He hit the post in the end.
	45:07	The puck sent from the right to the opposite side for Martin Zatovic to the endboards, but he's a bit late to catch it before it went past the goal line and there goes another offense.
	46:31	Morten Ask tries to catch a break and lead the offense for Norway, but the Czechs kept two defensemen in the back to prevent him from penetrating into the zone.
	47:15	Jiri Sekac led the offense for the Czechs over the right, found a lot of space and saw Jiri Novotny coming down on the left and into the slot, he sent a pass in front of the defenseman but the one-timer got deflected off the net, seems like Soberg managed to stretch enough and cover the angle.
	48:09	Following a shot, Andreas Martinsen went to Salak and obstructed him that Martin Zatovic didn't like so much so there was some pushing and shoving which will bring about some penalties.
	48:11	Martin Zatovic (CZE) and Robin Dahlstrom (NOR) got the calls for roughing and we'll have a 4-on-4 action for two minutes.
	49:16	Mathis Olimb with a chance from the near, hits Salak right in front and the puck deflects to the Czech defense behind the goal.
	50:11	Apart from that Olimb's shot, nothing special happened as the game took the turn for the calmer. Both teams back at full strength.
	50:46	Anders Bastiansen, the Norwegian captain, fires another one from the right closing down on net, Alexander Salak is there to make the save as Norway keep him busy.
	51:05	Morten Ask takes a hard slapper to the face as Jan Kovar fires a one-timer fed in from behind the net. Team Norway's doctor is on the ice and let's hope Ask will be okay. This for sure didn't look nice and was hard to take.
		Ask got up and left the rink to be treated by the doctor by the boards, hopefully he'll be back into the game.
	51:17	Jagr alone with three defensemen tries to find space from the left getting towards the crease, but even him can't battle that kind of pressure.
	52:44	Sekac and Hudler looking for a way to beat Soberg, but all they can is send a shot into him for a deflection.
	53:17	Ken Andre Olimb gets a shot on net from the right post, Salak is there to cover the gaps and keep his net untact.
	53:51	Jan Kovar finds Tomas Rolinek in the middle and centers the puck in, the shot coming off a one-timer hits Soberg and deflects wide to the left.
	55:09	Jagr is all over the place now, taking the ice as often as he can trying to help his team. Though he can't find a feed getting behind the net and exitting on the left.
	56:00	Jaromir Jagr (CZE) will take the penalty for slashing.
	56:44	Norway keep the puck in the offensive zone before the Czechs took it away and tried to clear – but made a mistake bumping into each other. In the end they finally kill it and clear.
	57:57	Another clearance, nothing of the powerplay from Norway.
	58:00	Team Czech Republic back at full strength. Two minutes left in the third period.
	59:05	Steffen Soberg leaves the net and Norway will go for the extra attacker.
	59:22	The Czechs are trying to get the puck and strike into the empty net. The Norwegians keep pressure up in the attacking zone.
	59:53	The Czechs again take the puck out, but can't strike it in.
	60:00	Game over.
		After more than an entertaining and action-packed game, the Czechs walk off with a win and new three points. In the end the Norwegians emerged out and started putting pressure, but it wasn't enough to beat Salak. The Czechs, on the other hand, were so unlucky to hit a number of posts and miss clear opportunities.
		Shots on goal: CZE 11 (39), NOR 8 (21) Penalties: CZE 4 (8), NOR 2 (8) Powerplay: CZE 0/4, NOR 0/4.
		Best players of each team: NOR – Jonas Holos (D) CZE – Alexander Salak (G).
		Time for "Kde domov můj", the Czech national anthem.
		Thank you for following this highly-entertaining game with us, we hope you enjoyed it! For the rest of the World Championship please consult our schedule. Until next time, goodbye! (21:57:45)

Commentary by

Alan Ilijic

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 1. Sobotka (Hertl, Jagr)

Czech Republic: Salak (Kovar) – Nemec, Vitasek, Sobotka, Hertl, Jagr – Kindl, Jordan, Cervenka, Klepis, Vondrka – Zamorsky, Kolar, Novotny, Hudler, Sekac – Sevc, Zatovic, Kovar, Roline, Petruzalek

Norway: Soberg (Haugen) – Holos, Bonsaksen, Hansen, Roymark, Forsberg – Trygg, Odegaard, Bastiansen, Olimb K. A., Olimb M. – Sorvik, Espeland, Olden, Skroder, Ask – Lovlie, Martinsen, Roest, Dahlstrom, Thoresen

Referees: Ronn (FIN), Vinnerborg (SWE) – Dahmen (SWE), Semjonov (EST)

1st period
	00:39
	10:22
	17:30
1st intermission
2nd period
	21:20
	31:33
	38:38
2nd intermission
3rd period
	48:11
	56:00
Final