CZE 2:0 1IT | Czech Republic - Italy veterans (World Championship)

World Championship

Czech Republic – Italy veterans	2:0 (end)	\|	Switzerland – Germany2	3:2 (end)	\|	Slovakia2 – Norway	5:2 (end)
Russia – Kazakhstan	7:2 (end)

final

Czech Republic

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

Italy veterans

Wednesday 14.05.2014, 15:45 • World Championship

		With 3 points, the Czechs double their total to 6 and are now tied for 3rd in the group with Norway. However, they have played one more game than everyone else. Italy remains with 3 points, still even with Denmark in 6th. The next game for the Czech Republic is Saturday, when they play Denmark, while things don't get any easier for Italy -- they face Canada on Friday. That's all from this game, but remember there are two more today from Minsk, RUS-KAZ and SVK-NOR, both at 21:45 EEST, 20:45 CEST, 14:45 EDT and you can follow them both right here. (17:56:01)
		The Czech national anthem is now being played.
		Players of the game: Alexander Egger, ITA, Jiri Sekac, CZE.
		The Czechs held a wide margin in play, but led by the slimmest of margins for most of the game, thanks to the goaltending of Daniel Bellissimo. The Czechs got a goal from Jiri Sekac early in the 2nd, and could finally get a breath of relief when Jaromir Jagr scored an insurance goal with less than 5 minutes to play. Alexander Salak wasn't busy, but their were some tense moments and he held the fort for the shutout. Shots on goal in the 3rd period (and game): CZE 10 (36), ITA 4 (11).
	60:00	Game over.
	59:51	Puck out of play in the Czech zone, faceoff inside. Bellissimo remains at the Italian bench.
	59:40	Play in the Czech zone, Bellissimo goes to the bench for a 6th attacker.
	59:12	Timeout Italy. They need 2 and the faceoff is in their end, but I guess any chance is worth taking.
	59:12	Kovar centres to Novotny for the one-timer from the slot. Big save Bellisimo, as Novotny looks skyward. Italians low on time, though.
	58:46	Zamorsky from the point, save Bellissimo and then the Italians ice it, which will kill the rest of the penalty.
	57:35	Hudler to Cervenka in the slot for the re-direct, hits Bellissimo in the chest.
	56:50	Now Italy's Thomas Larkin is called for holding. The Czechs to the power play, who will be quite happy to take two minutes off the clock.
	55:34	Goal for Team Czech Republic! There was a delayed penalty coming to Italy. Cervenka had the first shot, hit Bellissimo in the shoulder, but he got the puck back and passed to JAROMIR JAGR, who scored on a low wrister. That could be a back-breaker for the offensively-challenged Italians. Assist: Roman Cervenka.
	55:13	Italy back the other way quickly, long shot is caught and held by Salak. Shots 32-10 for the Czechs, but it's only 1-0.
	54:50	Rolinek centres for Sekac, kicked out by Bellissimo.
	53:38	The Czechs clear it the length of the ice, then Italy try the long pass for the quick attack but it goes for icing. Faceoff back in the Italian zone with just :06 left in their power play.
	52:48	Johnson through a crowd, pad save Salak.
	52:20	Sullivan from the point, blocked in front.
	51:44	Now a high-sticking penalty to Jiri Hudler, as he clipped Davide Nicoletti in the chin in a battle in front of the net. Italy to the power play looking to tie.
	51:27	Kindl through a crowd, save Bellissimo.
	51:08	Novotny the wrister, kicked out by Bellissimo.
	50:23	Jakub Petruzalek with a rising rocket from the point through a crowd, Daniel Bellissimo snares it with the glove. It looked like it was heading just under the crossbar.
	49:16	Salak makes a save and holds on, just the 9th shot he's faced today.
	47:40	Sekac with a long shot, pad save Bellissimo.
	47:27	Salak catches a high shot and plays it.
	47:20	Timeout Czech Republic. Vladimir Ruzicka wants to settle his troops down.
	47:20	Another scramble in the Czech crease, knocked down by Ihnacak in front, Salak down and finally covers. It might not have counted anyway, as I think it was played with a hand, but a tense moment nonetheless as the Czechs protect the slim lead.
	46:47	Icing Italy.
	54:20	Then the Italians come right back, Rocco centres to Borelli, he doesn't get much on it and it sits in the crease behind Salak, who finally falls on it with a crowd around him.
	44:00	Jagr sends Tomas Hertl in all alone, he tries a forehand deke but Daniel Bellissimo stays with him and makes a pad save.
	43:06	Shot from the point by Nemec, pad save Bellissimo.
	41:14	Shot by Hudler is deflected out of play in the Italian zone, faceoff inside.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		The teams are on the ice and the 3rd period will start shortly.
		It was another period of Czech dominance, and this time they get a goal, but only one. It was Jiri Sekac on a beautiful wrister early on, and since then the Czechs have been unable to add to their lead, despite a few chances on the power play. Shots on goal in the 2nd period (and game): CZE 10 (25), ITA 4 (6). 3rd period begins at 18:17 EEST, 17:17 CEST.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:45	Jordan with the slapper from the point, right on Bellissimo, who covers.
	38:45	Italy back at full strength, play continues in their zone.
	38:05	The Italians ice it, the Czechs will have to hurry to get one more rush on the PP.
	37:27	Italy with a shorthanded rush, it's Trevor Johnson the trailer that takes a long slapper right on Salak, who covers. Faceoff in the Czech zone with :55 left in the ir power play.
	36:55	Klepis shoots from the point, and once again the Czechs are whistled for having a player in the goal crease. faceoff outside with 1:27 left in the penalty.
	36:21	The Czechs are putting on pressure again and the Italians are forced into another penalty, as Nathan di Casmirro puts a hook on Rolinek trying to receive a pass at the side of the net. Czechs to the power play.
	35:55	Czech 2-on-1, Martin Zatovic tries to go high but hits Bellissimo in the chest, and he covers it.
	35:12	The puck goes out of play in the neutral zone, faceoff back in the Italian zone.
	34:01	Jakub Petruzalek tries to puck the top corner with a wrister but Daniel Bellissimo gets a shoulder on it to deflect it just wide.
	33:30	Italians on the rush, quick shot from Tudin, turned away by Salak.
	33:17	Puck deflects out of play in the Italian zone, faceoff inside.
	32:54	Icing Italy.
	32:10	Sevc from the point, deflects on Bellissimo, then another shot through a crowd gets to Bellissimo too, and he covers this one.
	31:20	Now the puck hits a player and slides to Bellissimo, who covers it.
	31:03	One-timer from Huder in the slot, wide.
	30:51	Klepis winds and fires from the point just as the penalty ends, right on Bellissimo, who holds on.
	30:30	Klepis with a high wrister, deflected wide.
	30:05	The Italians ice it, both units change up.
	29:25	Zamorsky's slapper from the point is deflected wide.
	28:47	The Czechs are headed back to the power play as Trevor Johnson is called for tripping.
	28:31	Play is now stopped as Ondrej Nemec is down and in pain deep in the Czech zone after losing and edge and falling heavily into the end boards. He manages to get up and skate off on his own, but favouring one leg. Faceoff inside.
	28:15	Czechs putting on pressure but play is stopped because a Czech forward is in the goal crease again. Faceoff outside.
	28:02	Cervenka the low wrister, pad save Bellissimo.
	26:50	Almost an Italian goal, as Joachim Ramoser fired a high wrister through traffic with Salak down, but he managed to get an arm on it to knock it down.
	26:05	Shot is blocked and the Italians ice it, which will kill the rest of the penalty.
	25:51	Zamorsky from the point, caught and held by Bellissimo with :21 left in the penalty.
	25:42	Sevc with the slapper wide.
	25:10	Halfway through the power play, the Czechs having trouble entering the Italian zone.
	24:12	They have the lead and now the Czechs will try to add to it on the power play, as David Borelli goes off for slashing.
	23:51	Now Klepis with a long slapper, right on Bellissimo, who holds on.
	22:53	Goal for Team Czech Republic! The Czechs broke out of their own end, JIRI SEKAC took the pass in the neutral zone, skated into the Italian zone and fired a perfect wristshot over the glove of Bellissimo to open the scoring. Assists: Jiri Hudler, Ondrej Nemec.
	22:27	Icing Italy.
	21:33	Both teams are now back at full strength, as Italy had a very brief power play.
	20:35	Icing Czech Republic.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		The teams are on the ice and the 2nd period will start shortly. We'll start 4-on-4, with 1:19 left in Kostner's penalty and 1:33 left in Jagr's.
		The Czechs with a large edge in play during the first period, but unable to beat goaltender Daniel Belllissimo. At the other end, Alexander Salak was far less busy, but had to be sharp on a couple of occasions. Shots on goal in the 1st period: CZE 14, ITA 2. 2nd period begins at 17:29 EEST, 16:29 CEST.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:43	Offside Czech Republic.
	19:33	And now we have the first Czech penalty of the game to Jaromir Jagr for slashing, so we'll likely finish the period 4-on-4.
	19:19	In the last minute of the first period, we're getting the game's first penalty, and it's Italy's Diego Kostner for hooking. Czechs to the power play.
	18:30	Jordan with the long wrister, pad save Bellissimo.
	17:27	Italians rush up ice, Ihnacak with a long shot, stopped and covered by Alexander Salak.
	17:08	Zamorsky with the slapper from the point, pad save Bellissimo just as the play is stopped because a Czech forward is in the crease, so any goal wouldn't have counted there. Faceoff outside.
	15:48	Offside Czech Republic.
	15:16	Puck out of play in the Italian zone, faceoff inside.
	14:30	Hudler centres for Cervenka, Bellissimo denies him on the one-timer from point-blank. Then the puck comes to Hudler alone in front but the puck rolls off his stick as he tries to go to the backhand. Two great chances right there.
	13:18	Czech 3rd line to the attack now, Bellissimo makes another save and covers again.
	12:45	The other way, a low slapper from Felicetti, stick save Salak.
	12:25	Nemec with a wrister from the top of the circle, hits the side of the net.
	11:50	Puck deflected out of play in the Italian zone, faceoff inside. Shots on goal are 10-1 for the Czechs at this point, which doesn't count the goalpost hit by Italy.
	09:56	Jagr with a shot off the draw, right on Bellissimo, who holds on again.
	09:45	Kindl with a couple of shots from the point, Belllisimo stops them both and holds onto the second one.
	08:40	Off the faceoff, Christian Borgatello beats Salak with a high slapper off the goalpost.
	08:35	Icing Czech Republic.
	08:03	Offside Italy.
	07:47	Michal Jordan with the slapper, pad save Bellissimo, then Klepis puts the rebound wide.
	06:54	Cervenka and Hudler come in again, Bellissimo turns another shot away.
	06:39	Puck goes into the Italian bench, faceoff at centre ice.
	05:44	Slapper from Jiri Novotny hits Bellissimo in the shoulder, and he holds onto it.
	05:00	Petruzalek with a similar shot to his last one, Bellissimo plays it the same way. Another shot and Daniel Bellissimo covers it. He's been busy in the early minutes.
	03:45	Now Hudler through a crowd, hits Bellissimo.
	03:27	Cervenka from a sharp angle, turned away by Bellissimo
	03:09	Offside against Italy, for the first whistle of the game.
	02:40	Petruzalek with a long, low wrister, turned aside by Bellissimo.
	01:01	Scandela with a wrister for Italy on a rush, blocker save Salak.
	00:10	Jaromir Jagr gets the first shot for the Czechs, stick save Bellissimo.
	00:01	Game started.
		The teams are on the ice and the game will start shortly. The Czech Republic is the designated home team and is wearing white uniforms with red and blue trim, red pants and blue helmets. Italy is designated as the visiting team and is wearing double blue "azzurri" uniforms with red, white, and green "tricolour" trim, blue pants and helmets.
		Starting Lineups: Czech Republic: Salák (Jakub Kovář) – Kindl, Němec, Jordán, Ševc, Zámorský, Kolář, Vitásek – Hertl, Rolinek (C), Jágr – Červenka, Klepiš, Hudler – Novotný, Sekáč, Petružálek – Zaťovič, Jan Kovář. Coach: Vladimír Růžička. Italy: Bellissimo (Andreas Bernard) – Egger (C), Nicoletti, Johnson, Trivellato, Hofer, Borgatello, Sullivan, Larkin, – Borrelli, Ihnacak, Rocco – Scandella, di Casmirro, Kostner – Gander, Felicetti, Tudin – Insam, Anton Bernard, Ramoser. Coach: Tom Potel. Referees: Sidorenko (BLR), Vinnerborg (SWE) – Dedulya (BLR), Dehaen (FRA).
		At first glance, this match-up between the Czech Republic and Italy might not seem interesting. Make no mistake, the Czechs are big favourites. However, so far in this tournament, being the pre-game favourite hasn't meant much. After three games each, the two teams find themselves tied with 3 points each -- Denmark also has 3 points, and are tied for 5th-6th-7th place. The loser of this game will have a huge uphill climb as far as reaching a quarter-final spot. The Czechs opened the tournament with a 3-2 overtime win over Slovakia, followed by a 4-3 shootout loss to Sweden and a 4-3 regulation loss to Canada. Italy opened with a 3-0 loss to Norway, then a 2-1 win over France, and most recently a 4-1 loss to Denmark.
		Welcome. This game starts at 16:45 EEST, 15:45 CEST.

Commentary by

Derek OBrien

@@Djob76

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 23. Sekac (Hudler, Nemec), 56. Jagr (Cervenka)

Czech Republic: Salák (Jakub Kovář) – Kindl, Němec, Jordán, Ševc, Zámorský, Kolář, Vitásek – Hertl, Rolinek (C), Jágr – Červenka, Klepiš, Hudler – Novotný, Sekáč, Petružálek – Zaťovič, Jan Kovář.

Italy veterans: Bellissimo (Andreas Bernard) – Egger (C), Nicoletti, Johnson, Trivellato, Hofer, Borgatello, Sullivan, Larkin, – Borrelli, Ihnacak, Rocco – Scandella, di Casmirro, Kostner – Gander, Felicetti, Tudin – Insam, Anton Bernard, Ramoser.

Referees: Sidorenko (BLR), Vinnerborg (SWE) – Dedulya (BLR), Dehaen (FRA)

1st period
	19:19
	19:33
1st intermission
2nd period
	22:53
	24:12
	28:47
	36:21
2nd intermission
3rd period
	51:44
	55:34
	56:50
Final