Czechs win against pesky French

In the first period the Czech Republic had the majority of opportunities to score the go-ahead-goal, but the teams would go into the first intermission scoreless. Jakub Voracek had the most promising chances for the hosts, all denied by French goalkeeper Florian Hardy.

France created the first real chance in the middle frame, but Florian Chakiachvili’s one-timer was sponged up by Ondrej Pavelec, starting goalkeeper of the Winnipeg Jets. It was the hosts to score the initial goal of the afternoon, as Ondrej Nemec’s shot from the blue line found its way in the back of the net. Hardy was screened by his own defenceman and could not do a lot on this shot.

The Czech Republic kept the pressure high and hit the post twice within a couple of minutes. Hardy was helped out by the goalie’s best friend on a shot by Vladimir Sobotka in the 25^th minute and two minutes later, the hockey gods would still be on his side on Roman Cervenka’s shot.

In the 28^th minute Sobotka could finally score the second goal for his team. Tomas Hertl did a good job in front of the net, screening the French netminder and the forward of Avangard Omsk delivered.

France would not give up though and got rewarded for their solid defensive performance. Loìc Lamperier passed the puck to Kevin Hecquefeuille, who used the traffic in front of Pavelec to score with a well-placed wrist shot. The French gained confidence from this goal and almost found the equalizer in the 37^th minute, but Pavelec’s pad stopped Damien Fleury’s shot.

The final 20 minutes of the game began with a great individual play by veteran forward Jaromir Jagr. The 43-year old turned around a French defender, tried to beat Hardy on the five-hole, but the puck would not cross the line. France had one more opportunity to tie the game, but a sprawling Pavelec denied Charles Bertrand.

Jagr would not waste the next chance and reestablish the two-goal-lead for the host nation. Dominik Simon won the battle in the corner, gave the puck to Jan Kovar and the legend itself, Jaromir Jagr, was there to tip in the rebound.

In the 49^th minute Tomas Hertl was not able to beat Hardy on the breakaway, but could give a good pass to Nemec, who scored his second goal of the game to make it 4-1 for the Czech Republic.

The Czechs would add one more, as Cervenka on the power play beat Hardy with a precise wrist shot from a rather difficult angle, to destroy any French hopes.

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