1SV 2:3 CZE | Slovakia2 - Czech Republic (World Championship)

World Championship

Switzerland – Russia	0:5 (end)	\|	France2 – Canada2	3:2 (1:0 after SO)	\|	Belarus – USA	1:6 (end)
Slovakia2 – Czech Republic	2:3 (after OT)

final/OT

Slovakia2

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

Czech Republic

Friday 09.05.2014, 19:45 • Chizhovka Arena, Minsk • World Championship

		In a simply enthralling encounter the Czech Republic have beaten their eternal rivals Slovakia 3-2 after overtime! It promised to be a thriller and it most certainly didn't disappoint. Ondrej Nemec opened up the scoring early on before in the second period goals from Michel Miklik and Marek Viedensky put the Slovaks ahead. Just when it seemed that they were edging to victory Jaromir Jagr tied the game up late in the third, and Jakub Klepis' overtime snipe earned the Czechs the extra point. They skate off with two, and Slovakia for their efforts have the one point. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more fantastic 2014 IIHF World Championship action! (22:07:24)
		Game over.
	61:50	Goal for Team Czech Republic! It's all over! JAKUB KLEPIS drives in from deep, cuts to the right before unleashing a lethal effort that flies into the left hand corner beyond Jan Laco, it's 3-2! Assists- Ondrej Vitasek and Martin Sevc
	61:17	Tomas Hertl cuts in from the left flank looking for an opening in which to shoot but opposing defenders close him down!
	61:02	It's a cautious start to overtime from both sides, they both know that any mistake could prove to be fatal
	60:01	Overtime began.
		This pulsating match is off to overtime! We will have five minutes of game time and if we don't see a goal it will be penalty shots!
		Statistics after the initial 60 minutes- Shots on target- 16-32 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 30-14 Penalty minutes- 10-10
	60:00	3rd period finished.
	59:39	The Czechs certainly look the more energised as we now look to be heading to overtime in just a few seconds!
	59:01	Slovakia do look heavily deflated after the equalising goal! They looked to have been defending good enough to hold out for the win
	57:53	Goal for Team Czech Republic! They've kept on plugging away and they have their reward! As the puck is played across the slot from the right JAROMIR JAGR pokes it home masterfully, it's a tied game at 2-2! Assists- Ondrej Nemec
	56:27	Vitasek! Jaromir Jagr eventually picks out Ondrej Vitasek at the point who blasts wide of the left hand post with bodies piling up on the slot!
	54:55	The Czech Republic are back at full strength having killed that penalty successfully. They are the ones who need to score though!
	53:37	Hrvik! A twisting Marek Hrvik fires well wide of the net from the doorstep!
	53:07	Alexander Salak despite not having a clue where the puck is makes an excellent save to hold on to a strong slapper from the right faceoff circle!
	52:55	Ondrej Vitasek for hooking has been called into the penalty box to leave his trailing team on the penalty kill
	52:42	Slovakia commit icing with just over seven minutes remaining in regular time
	50:42	Just how didn't the puck cross the line! The Slovaks steal the puck neutral ice, go two on one, Martin Reway rounds the goalkeeper but Alexander Salak sticks a big pad out at the last moment to prevent the puck from crossing the line! What a save!
	50:28	The Slovakian fans really are making themselves heard inside the Chizhovka Arena! All throughout the game they have been singing loud and proud
	49:06	Jakub Petruzalek just can't take the puck in his stride and the Czechs ice it
	48:38	Slovakia are very happy to sit back and soak up all the pressure, Alexander Salak has had very little work to do in this period as yet
	47:19	The Czech Republic commit icing. And Novotny is still wondering how he missed! The Czechs do look riled up
	45:46	What a chance for the Czechs! Following clever interchange play which leaves Jan Laco already helpess, Jiri Novotny with an empty net to aim at somehow completely misses the puck! That should have been a goal!
	44:29	David Skokan strips a Czech defender of the puck on the right of the crease, picks out the onrushing Marek Hrivik but Hrivik just can't control the pass! That could have been a clear opening!
	42:47	The puck is dumped deep into the Slovakian crease and the defenders do well to shuffle it away! The Czech Republic have very promptly grasped the initiative
	41:47	Hertl! Tomas Hertl all on his own at the high slot lets a snapshot go and Laco has to be alert to turn it wide!
	40:49	Roman Cervenka glides past his opponents on the right, backhands across the slot but Jan Laco sweeps it up into his glove
	40:01	The third and deciding period is underway! The Czechs at 2-1 down need to change their game up to save this one
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Statistics after the first two periods- Shots on target- 9-27 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 26-7 Penalty minutes- 10-8
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:30	We're now into the final 30 seconds of a thoroughly enjoyable second period
	38:27	Petruzalek! This time it's Slovakia's turn to make a poor mistake in possession, Jakub Petruzalek cuts to the right and from a good position can only find the goalkeeper's chest!
	37:34	The Czech Republic ice the puck
	37:09	Cervenka! Right off the faceoff draw the puck rolls to Roman Cervenka on the slot who pokes into the netminder! The Czechs don't like the way this game is going and they have to inject more urgency into their game
	37:07	Martin Sevc takes aim from the point through a string of bodies, but despite the heavy traffic Jan Laco sees it all the way!
	35:45	Goal for Team Slovakia! And what a goal! That's a thing of beauty! They break out into the attacking zone with pace, drag the puck to the right before a first time pass to the left is swept home beautifully by MAREK VIEDENSKY, it's 2-1! Assists- Michel Miklik
	35:17	Milik! He could have had his second there! On a two on one breakaway for the Slovaks he's fed free on the right but just can't stuff the puck past the goalkeeper!
	34:44	Sobotka! Vladimir Sobotka smashes the puck with all his might with a one timer from the center of the zone, but Laco makes a wonderful glove save to deny him!
	34:14	And the Czechs are now back at full strength
	34:13	Richard Panik closes down on net, he's all alone on the right of the slot but he just doesn't know what to do with it and it comes to nothing!
	33:10	Ondrej Vitasek with a terrible pass off the boards dishes his opponent Juraj Mikus the puck, he cuts into the left hand post from behind the net and Salak is forced to freeze well!
	32:14	Jakub Kindl for roughing has been sent to the penalty box and Slovakia are going on the powerplay for two minutes
	31:45	Jakub Klepis from the left faceoff circle lets a powerful wrist shot go looking for the far corner and Laco flashes leather to cover! He did well not to give up a rebound there
	30:22	Jiri Hudler does a 360 turn with the puck at the right of the crease, backhands into the near post but Jan Laco sees it away!
	29:48	The Czech Republic commit icing as their opponents are back to full strength again
	29:12	Tatar! The Czechs cough up the puck to Tomas Tatar by the right hand boards, he charges into the zone with purpose and wrists into Salak's closed pads!
	28:27	Zamorsky! What a ripper from the defenceman! Petr Zamorsky puts everything through his slapshot but it flies wide of the left hand post!
	27:48	For cross checking and leaving his opponent almost knocked out on the ice Jan Brejcak has received a two minute minor
	27:02	Jakub Klepis plays around with the puck behind the net, finds Ondrej Nemec at the blue line who has a heavy attempt charged down! The Czechs don't look happy at all about conceding that equaliser!
	25:17	Goal for Team Slovakia! They've deserved that goal! MICHEL MIKLIK picks the puck up at the high slot, goes for a high wrister into the left hand corner and Alexander Salak lets it slip over his blocker! It's 1-1! Assists- Tomas Tatar
	25:04	The Czechs defended against that penalty reasonably well and they're back to full strength
	23:15	Ladislav Nagy picks out a teammate right on the left hand post unmarked but the puck is controlled poorly! That was a promising opening!
	23:04	Jakub Petruzalek for interference has been penalised and he's off to the penalty box for the Czechs
	22:24	Slovakia commit icing. They certainly created enough pressure towards the end of the first period, and they need to keep the pace of their game just as high
	21:25	They couldn't create anything though and Slovakia are already back at full strength
	20:01	Here we go in the second period with the Czechs on the powerplay for 01:25
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Statistics after the first period of play- Shots on target- 5-17 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 16-5 Penalty minutes- 8-4
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:58	Jan Laco gratefully clings on to the puck after a mad scramble on his crease erupted! And it's now the final seconds of a non stop first period
	19:25	Jan Brejcak for Slovakia has been called for holding, and most probably the Czech Republic will start the second period on the powerplay
	18:55	The ageless Jaromir Jagr gives the Czechs some rest-bite from the Slovak onslaught as he holds the puck up in the opposing zone, feeds a teammate on the left who winds up for a slapshot that is only blocked
	17:12	The Czech Republic are now back at full strength
	17:05	The Czech defence completely allows Tomas Tatar to cut in from the high slot, but the Slovak forward loses control of the puck at the vital moment!
	15:48	Nagy! The Slovaks are creating promising chances to get back into this game and none better so far than this one! Right on the doorstep Ladislav Nagy can only wrist into Salak's chest with the whole of the goal to aim at!
	15:12	Petr Zamorsky for hooking has got called into the penalty box and it's Slovakia's turn to go on the powerplay
	14:46	Slovakia take control of the puck, get set up in the zone well but Martin Marincin's dump into the crease is shut down at source
	13:17	Slovakia drift offside
	12:10	Milik! What a chance to even up the score! Michel Miklik is picked out skating in alone on the right with a simply fantastic pass, but his neat flick from point blank range is blocked expertly by Salak!
	11:35	It's icing from the Czech Republic. The pace of the game is lightning quick, you can feel the rivalry heating up!
	10:52	Jan Laco at his left hand post comfortably takes hold of a Petr Zamorsky wrister from a tight angle on the right
	10:03	Panik! Tomas Tatar finds the onrushing Richard Panik with a nice backhand pass, but Panik's heavy slapper is seen over by Salak's blocker! The netminder looked worried there!
	08:43	Slovakian legend Miroslav Satan looks to break through the center of the zone but his wrister is blocked when looking to go upstairs! And just seconds later Alexander Salak shuts the door on his dangerous wraparound attempt!
	08:13	The Czechs commit icing. Slovakia are struggling to keep control of the puck early on, they need to settle down
	06:45	Jan Laco in the Slovakian net at the second attempt covers the bobbling puck on his crease! The Czechs really do look up for this!
	06:24	Goal for Team Czech Republic! Just as the five on three comes to an end the Czechs strike! Clever interchange play finds ONDREJ NEMEC at the point who absolutely blasts the puck past the netminder, powerplay goal and it's 1-0! Assists- Jiri Hudler and Roman Cervenka
	04:57	Ondrej Nemec is back on to the ice and for over a minute the Czech Republic have a five on three!
	04:34	We now have already the third penalty of the game and it's against the Slovaks, Martin Marincin for slashing has been called and for now it's a four on three for the Czechs
	04:18	Mark Daloga sees space open up in front of him at the left faceoff circle, he attempts a low driller but it's blocked by a flying defender in front of him!
	02:57	Viedensky! What a fiery start to the game, just as I expected! Marek Viedensky grabs a hold of the loose puck, skates down one on one but he's hooked by Ondrej Nemec! It's only a penalty for the Czech defenseman however and not a penalty shot
	02:17	Juraj Mikus for high sticking has been called and the Czechs have an early powerplay opportunity to really put the pressure on. The penalty will also last for not two minutes, but for four!
	01:31	Cervenka! Roman Cervenka with pace whips the puck right into the slot with Hertl lurking, and with bodies sprawling everywhere somehow it stays out!
	01:25	Tomas Hertl for the Czechs spins around the net to the left hand post but can only weakly pass the puck into the goalkeepers' pads!
	00:59	Martin Reway skates away for the Slovaks but he goes flying in to the net as he loses the puck, and the net will now have to be drilled back into place
	00:01	The 2014 IIHF World Championship is now underway for both Slovakia and the Czechs!
	00:01	Game started.
		The teams are now out on to the ice and we're just moments away from the opening faceoff!
		Starting lineups: Slovakia: Laco (Janus)- Daloga, Sloboda, Nagy, Hrivik, Satan- Marincin, Ceresnak, Miklik, Reway, Marcinko- Svarny, Valach, Mikus, Tatar, Panik- Brejcak, Viedensky, Tybor, Skokan Czech Republic: Salak (Jakub Kovar)- Nemec, Kindl, Jagr, Klepis, Sobotka- Sevc, Polak, Cervenka, Rolinek, Hertl- Zamorsky, Kolar, Sekac, Hudler, Jan Kovar- Vitasek, Zatovic, Novotny, Petruzalek Referees: Bulanov, Piechaczek, Olenin, Dedoulia, Raming.
		These two teams make up Group A along with Canada, France, Denmark, Norway, Italy and Sweden. The first match of the group has already been played today and what a stunning game that turned out to be, with the French surprising everyone beating the mighty Canadians 3-2 after penalty shots.
		Slovakia and the Czech Republic are two sides that know each other almost perfectly, and it isn't just because of the fact that they neighbor each other geographically. At the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi these two met in the playoff stages with the Czechs emerging victorious 5-3, and you can bet your life that with many Olympians from Sochi taking part here in Minsk, the Slovaks have revenge in mind today.
		Every year ice hockey fans long await the IIHF World Championships, and finally the puck has dropped. This year hockey mad nation Belarus is hosting the grand event, and you can be sure that every arena for every game isn't going to have many spare seats.
		Good evening and welcome to this 2014 IIHF World Championship Group A match between Slovakia and the Czech Republic. These two are fierce rivals in any sport, and we should be in for a thrilling encounter here on opening day in Minsk.
		Welcome. Game starts at 19:45.

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 26. Miklik (Tatar), 36. Viedensky (Miklik) – 7. Nemec (Hudler, Cervenka), 58. Jagr (Nemec), 62. Klepis (Vitasek, Sevc)

Slovakia2: Laco (Janus)- Daloga, Sloboda, Nagy, Hrivik, Satan- Marincin, Ceresnak, Miklik, Reway, Marcinko- Svarny, Valach, Mikus, Tatar, Panik- Brejcak, Viedensky, Tybor, Skokan

Czech Republic: Salak (Jakub Kovar)- Nemec, Kindl, Jagr, Klepis, Sobotka- Sevc, Polak, Cervenka, Rolinek, Hertl- Zamorsky, Kolar, Sekac, Hudler, Jan Kovar- Vitasek, Zatovic, Novotny, Petruzalek

Referees: Bulanov, Piechaczek, Olenin, Dedoulia, Raming

Attendance: 6920

1st period
	02:17
	02:57
	04:34
	06:24
	15:12
	19:25
1st intermission
2nd period
	23:04
	25:17
	27:48
	32:14
	35:45
2nd intermission
3rd period
	52:55
	57:53
After 3rd period
Overtime
	61:50
Final/OT