| Czech Republic 2 vs Slovakia 4 |
Exhibition
Sunday, December 22, 2002
Halifax, NS
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Team Slovakia defeated the Czech Republic 4-2 here in Halifax tonight at the Metro Centre. Kamil Kreps was finally able to solve the riddle presented to the Czechs by a pair of Slovakian goaltenders in the third period notching two goals. It was not enough, however, and his team succumbed to their land-locked cousins.
The third period was all Czechs, as they stretched their shots on goal
advantage to 31-23 and were able to control play, but it was too little too late. After two exhibition games the Czechs have showed a tendency to get down earl and then come back, having outscored their opponents 7-0 in the third period of their games. Unfortunately for them tonight the hole they dug was too deep and they were unable to dig themselves out.
The Slovakians rebounded from a 5-0 defeat to Canada two nights earlier in Sydney and should gain confidence going into the tournament. Both teams ended exhibition play with 1-1 records.
The second period featured a parade, which started at center ice and ended in the penalty box, as the game has been marred with obstructions. The Slovakian team has shown better hands around the net, capitalizing on their chances while the Czechs have not been playing as a cohesive unit.
The Slovakians turned to goalie Jan Chovan in the second period, and he was able to turn aside all nine shots he faced. Neither Slovakian net minder faced much pressure, despite the Czech Republic maintaining a 21-18 shots-on-goal advantage
The Czechs did score five unanswered last night against the Swiss, in a third period comeback, and will need a similar performance here tonight. The first period started very methodically, as both teams felt each other out, however as the period progressed both squads opened up, much to the pleasure of the vocal Haligonian crowd.
By Forest Kenney
| Box Score |
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CZE
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
| Compte |
|
SVK
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
 |
|
Scoring/Buts :
08.51 0 - 2 PP1 SVK 20. SPIRKO, Rastislav (27. SLOVAK, Tomas, 8. GRANAK, Dominik)
01.15 0 - 1 EQ SVK 14. KOLOZVARY, Ivan (15. VAZAN, Michal, 7. STEHLIK, Richard)
Penalties/Pénalités :
16.23 2 min SVK 22. SLOBODA, Karol HI-ST
07.55 2 min CZE 15. MICHALEK, Milan HI-ST
02.01 2 min SVK 22. SLOBODA, Karol HI-ST
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 |
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Scoring/Buts :
31.09 0 - 4 PP1 SVK 7. STEHLIK, Richard (10. SYKORA, Juraj, 27. SLOVAK, Tomas)
27.35 0 - 3 EQ SVK 14. KOLOZVARY, Ivan (20. SPIRKO, Rastislav, 17. MARON, Oliver)
Penalties/Pénalités :
35.01 2 min SVK 27. SLOVAK, Tomas ROUGH
33.07 2 min SVK 7. STEHLIK, Richard HOLD
32.39 2 min CZE 11. PREUCIL, Petr INTRF
31.40 2 min SVK 3. VARGA, Milabn TRIP
29.24 2 min CZE 7. CHVATAL, Marek INTRF
29.24 2 min CZE 7. CHVATAL, Marek INTRF
26.08 2 min SVK 28. TROLIGA, Tomas UN-SP
26.08 2 min CZE 11. PREUCIL, Petr HOOK
26.08 2 min CZE 11. PREUCIL, Petr HOOK
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 |
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Scoring/Buts :
52.53 2 - 4 PP1 CZE 13. HOLUB, Jan (19. CHMELIR, Lukas)
45.02 1 - 4 EQ CZE 13. HOLUB, Jan
Penalties/Pénalités :
52.19 2 min SVK 17. MARON, Oliver HOOK
46.54 2 min CZE 14. KOREIS, Jakub SLASH
|
|
| Goaltenders |
CZE |
FALTER, Martin |
| Gardiens de but |
SVK |
PETRIK, Imrich |
|
| Shots on Goal by |
Shots on Goal by |
1st/1re
|
2nd/2e
|
3rd/3e
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Final
|
| Shots on Goal by |
CZE |
10
|
11
|
10
|
31
|
| Tirs au but par |
SVK |
7
|
11
|
5
|
23
|
The Czech Republic and Slovakia renew their bitter rivalry tonight at the Halifax Metro Centre in a 7:00 pm AT start. The last meeting between these two nations was last year in the 7th place game where the Czechs defeated the Slovaks by a 7-2 score.
The Czech Republic brings many familiar names to this year’s WJC. One player who fans will enjoy watching is Florida Panthers’ 1st round draft choice, Lukas Krajicek. A native of Prostijov, Czech Republic, Krajicek is currently in his third year with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. Last season, Krajicek played in five games with the Panthers as a late season call up. The Czech Republic are looking to build on a strong third period vs. Switzerland in which the team scored five unanswered goals to beat the Swiss by a 7-5 score.
Although last year’s team did not lose a game during the preliminary round, the Slovak team left the tournament with a disappointing 8th place finish due to a poor performance in the medal round. In their first exhibition match, the Slovak team fell 5-0 to Canada Friday night in Sydney, NS. Fans at tonight’s game will recognize Slovak defender Milan Jurcina who is in his second season on the Halifax Mooseheads’ blueline. After being a late cut from the Boston Bruins, Jurcina has 18 points in 27 games this year.
Tonight’s game is the last exhibition game for both of these teams before the World Junior Championships officially opens on Dec. 26th.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia will both open the tournament on Dec. 27th, when the Czechs take on Germany at the Halifax Metro Centre and the Slovaks face Belarus from Sydney, NS.
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HOCKEY CANADA
