Smith stays strong in Canada’s win over the hosts

The game started with the Czechs showing their intention not to let their party spoiled by the North American favourites. In the 3^rd minute the puck came off the boards and Roman Cervenka had the Canadian goalkeeper seemingly beaten, but as fast as a coyote could be, Mike Smith was back in position to rob the Czech forward of a goal.

Jordan Eberle also wanted to contribute, scoring the first goal of the game on the wrap around. Both teams created some good scoring chances in the following ten minutes of play, but neither Tyler Ennis nor captain Jakub Voracek could score for their respective team.

The final minute of the first period would be a wild one. With 59 seconds to go Taylor Hall gave Canada the 2-0 lead beating Ondrej Pavelec, who got his first start at the tournament, on a perfect cross-ice pass by Jake Muzzin. Only 21 second later Martin Erat deflected Jan Kovar’s shot to cut the lead in a half.

In the first ten minutes of the second frame Canada had two good opportunities to regain the two-goal-lead, but Jordan Eberle and Tyler Toffoli did not score. Same on the other side, as in the 29^th minute Jakub Voracek’s shot was blocked creating a rebound opportunity for Jan Kovar, but once again Mike Smith prevented the equalizer.

In the 32^nd minute the hosts could play two minutes on the man advantage and also this time could not beat the Canadian net minder. Jakub Nakladal had a good chance with a shot from the point and Jaromir Jagr tried to score ftom the slot area, but neither attempt would be successful.

In the 36^th minute the 17,000 fans in the O2 Arena could finally celebrate the tying goal. The youngest player on the Czech roster, 20 year old Dominik Simon, brought the puck on net and there Martin Zatovic tipped the puck over Smith.

Canada would not wait not long for the response though, as only 1 minute and 55 seconds later Sean Couturier would deflect a shot from the blue line to make it 3-2 Canada again. The Czechs turned the puck over in their own zone, Tyler Toffoli brought the puck on net and Couturier slightly touched the puck to beat Pavelec.

Only one minute later Pavelec kept the score within one with an excellent sprawling save on Claude Giroux, who did not score on Tyler Seguin’s gorgeous pass.

The final 20 minutes began with an early power play for the Canadians, who did not waste this chance, as Tyler Seguin beat Pavelec on the catching glove side to make it 4-2. In the 50^th minute the puck was turned over to Claude Giroux, who with a world-class pass froze Pavelec and captain Sidney Crosby scored Canada’s fifth goal on the wide open net.

The Czechs would try to come back and even when being a man short found two good chances, before in the 58^th minute Vladimir Sobotka roofed one home to give the home team hope again.

The hope would not last for long though, as Tyler Toffoli put an end to this entertaining hockey match with the empty netter one minute later.

Canada, a team which has highly impressed at this year’s World Championships thus far, will face Sweden on Wednesday in another clash, whereas the Czech Republic will try to come back on Thursday against France.

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