Czechs beat Russia one more time

The beginning of the first period was rather wild. The Czechs took a two goal lead by Vondrka during the eight and Zohorna in the 10th minute of the play. But Russia tied it on two even faster. Just 30 seconds after Zohorna's goal, the puck ended in Salák's net after a lucky rebound from Slepyshev's body. One more minute and Lazarev used a bad change of Czechs and hit them again.

In difference to the recent game of the Czech Republic against Sweden, this time the home team did not spill after the opponent's tying goal. Because it was the Czechs, namely Vondrka, who moved the score forward next. The Czechs were grading their offensive efforts even during the further minutes and once the fourth goal and Vondrka's hat-trick was climbing in the air already, Igor Znarok, head-coach Russia, decided to call a time-out. Which lead not only to calming down Czech tempo, but later also to another goal.

Though the play presented many more good scoring chances till the last horn, none more was successful, but one. At first, Svačina was hooked while having a breakaway during the 56th minute and the referee decided for the penalty shot. As Svačina later said, a commercial break saved his face at the moment, because immediately after the whistle, he was that tired he would not be able to skate from the half to the net. But appearantly, thanks to the short break he caught the second breath and shot through Sharychenkov. 

After Thursday's 3-0 victory from Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic won also the second Euro Hockey Tour game against Russia in three days, this time 4-3. They were victories number one and two of the team in the running season. 

On their road to the home-ground IIHF 2015 WC, Czechs will play eight further games, either as a part of the Euro Hockey Tour or the Euro Hockey Challenge: Two games in Norway, two in Sweden and four in the Czech Republic (2 v. Slovakia, 2 v. Finland). 

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