Jagr, Jagr, Plekanec, Jagr

The Czech veteran and super star Jaromir Jagr scored one goal in each of the three periods to lead his team to a comfortable 4-0 win against USA. Tomas Plekanec also got a goal when he scored the 3-0 goal that killed the American dream ten minutes before the end. Ondrej Pavelec in the Czech net made 29 saves for his second shutout of the championship.

"Ondra Pavelec was outstanding. I thought of Nagano and Hasek during the game," said Jaromir Jagr who scored a hat-trick but still was not picked as the best player of the game. Mark Messier shook hands with the Czech goalie Ondrej Pavelec.

The first period was not that intense. The teams didn't want to take any risks. The Czechs played very a nervous game, only the 1st line with Jagr and Plekanec outplayed their opponents. Before Jagr's 1-0 goal at 18:45 the Americans had actually had the best chances, including a shot off the post and a great chance for Craig Smith.

"The puck was deflected three times", says Czech goalie Ondrej Pavelec about the first chance. "I was moving from left to right and did not know where the puck was. I wanted to put the puck on the ice, but luckily I did not make it, because then I would probably have sent the puck into my net."

And about Smith's opportunity: "He took a high shot and I was on the goal-line. Luckily, he hit my glove. That put me in the game. It was basically my first save. Since that I felt OK."

Jaromir Jagr's first goal was scored from the right wing on a 3-on-1 attack after an American forward had lost the puck. The shot found a hole between Ty Conklin's pads.

Jagr's second goal was scored during a 2-man advantage a few minutes into the second period. Jagr took a one-timer from the circle on a pass from Karel Rachunek.

In the middle of the last period Tomas Plekanec scored a beauty for 3-0 and Jagr completed the hat trick 3:35 before the end.


Hattrick caps for Jagr. Photo: Roman Kucera

The Czech's have now won seven games in a row. Two more and they are World Champions again.

 

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