Czechia Outlasts USA in High-Scoring Thriller
In the U17 National Team game on August 17, 2024, Czechia secured an 8-6 victory over the USA in a thrilling, high-scoring affair at the 5-nations Piestany tournament. Switzerland holds off Slovakia's late comeback for 5-3 win.
USA - Czechia 6-8
The match was action-packed, featuring numerous penalties and physical altercations, including multiple fighting penalties in the second period.
Czechia took an early 2-0 lead within the first four minutes with goals from Filip Novák and Jan Kerbler. However, the USA responded quickly, leveling the score at 2-2 with goals from Joseph Salandra and William Bent. Czechia reclaimed the lead through a power-play goal by Šimon Katolický, only for the USA to tie it again with Kalder Varga scoring late in the first period. The USA finished the first period on top 4-3 after a late goal by Nicholas Bogas.
In the second period, Czechia tied it once more with Šimon Bělohorský scoring at the 35-minute mark, but the USA struck back with a power-play goal from Noah Davidson, making it 5-4.
The third period saw Czechia take control. Vojtěch Švancar equalized just 30 seconds in, followed by a power-play goal from Lukáš Kachlíř to give Czechia a 6-5 lead. Although William Bent scored his second goal of the game to make it 6-6, Czechia pulled ahead with goals from Šimon Katolický and Ondřej Ruml, ultimately sealing an 8-6 victory.
Key players for the USA included William Bent with two goals, and Kalder Varga with one goal and three assists. For Czechia, Šimon Katolický stood out with two goals, while Petr Tomek contributed four assists. Despite outshooting Czechia 43-32, the USA couldn’t overcome the strong Czech offense and power-play efficiency.
Czechia’s goaltender František Poletín played a crucial role, stopping 28 out of 30 shots during his time in net, while Xavier Wendt for the USA made 27 saves on 32 shots. Both started the game as back-ups behind Jan Larys and Ryder Fetterolf.
Slovakia - Switzerland 3-5
Switzerland defeated Slovakia 5-3 in a closely contested match at the 5-nat Piestany tournament. Switzerland dominated the first two periods, taking an early lead with a power-play goal from Raphaël Achermann in the first period, followed by a goal from Janis Grossniklaus, ending the first period 2-0. Switzerland extended their lead to 4-0 in the second period with two goals from Sol Fueter, assisted by Fabrice Bouvard and Vito Thoma.
Slovakia mounted a comeback in the third period, starting with a goal from Timur Trebula, followed by Adam Obusek narrowing the deficit to 4-2. Samuel Hybsky scored late in the period, making it a one-goal game at 4-3. However, Switzerland sealed the win with Fueter completing his hat trick at 58:59, securing the 5-3 victory.
Despite a strong final period from Slovakia, Switzerland’s balanced play across all three periods and Fueter’s standout performance made the difference. Switzerland narrowly outshot Slovakia 23-21, with goaltender Yannis Zambelli making 18 saves.
The tournament ends tomorrow with the games Switzerland-Germany and Slovakia-USA.
1 |
Czechia U17 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
27-13 |
9 |
2 |
USA U17 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
21-9 |
6 |
3 |
Switzerland U17 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
10-13 |
6 |
4 |
Slovakia U17 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
12-12 |
3 |
5 |
Germany U17 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3-26 |
0 |