Four goal in three minutes when Czech Republic beat Denmark
02 May 2011 | Henrik Lundqvist
Czech Republic scored 4 minutes in 3:04 in the second period to go from 2-0 to 5-0. Michael Frolik and Milan Michalek scored two goals each in the game that Czech Republic won 6-0.
The game was killed in the second half of the middle period. Milan Michalek scored two goals, at 31:34 and 33:17. Then Michal Frolik scored his second of the game at 34:25. Only 13 seconds later Plekanec was clean in the left circle and made it 5-0.
The first period looked much like an ordinary friendly game. No hits and only one penalty. Michal Frolik scored the only goal at 2:29.
In the fifth minute of the second period Denmark got to play a 2-man advantage, but couldn’t get the puck in the net. Had they scored, it would probably have been a totally different outcome of the game.
"The first 30 minutes was the best Denmark has played this season", says the Danish coach Per Bäckman.
"Then we had a 5-on-3 power-play but could not convert. Then Czechoslovakia (editors note: Czechoslovakia hasn't existed for almost two decades) scored several goals and it was over."
Denmark's Swedish coach Per Bäckman
Photo: Roman KuceraMichalek’s 3-0 goal was a beautiful combination in power-play. Frolik’s 4-0 was on a shot from the blue line that deflected off a Danish defender.
With two minutes remaining of the second period Patrik Elias got a penalty shot but his finish was poor.
In the third period the Czech players did all they could to help their goalie Ondrej Pavelec to earn the shut-out. And they were successful even if the Danes got a late power-play when Jaromir Jagr took a holding penalty.
Prucha scored 6-0 at 56:23 on a pass from Frolik that deflected off a Danish skate and the goalie Patrick Galbraith didn’t have a chance.
The Czechs look strong and it is not impossible that they will defend their gold medal from 2010.
Mikkel Bødker going for the puck
Photo: Roman KuceraThe Czech coach Alois Hadamczik was satisfied: "I am very happy that our young goalie made the shutout. It is very important for our number one goalie."
Jaromir Jagr had a very good Czech Hockey Games but since then he hasn't scored any points. Tomas Plekanec who joined the team from NHL for this game, and just like his line-mate Jagr comes from Kladno says: "The communitacion with Jagr works well. But it will be more important in the later games. I am sure that it will get better".
Denmark has a key game against Belarus on Wednesday to avoid the Relegation Round.