Adamo Marinelli
Dec. 26, 2022
In a game where Canada was the heavy favourite to win and outshot their opponent 39-27, numerous mistakes, missed chances, undisciplined play, and poor defending paved the way for the Czech Republic to cruise past Canada in a huge 5-2 upset win.
All of a sudden, Canada - the defending gold medalists and one of the bigger favourites to win the tournament - have a much larger hill to climb if they want to repeat as World Junior Champions.
There was chatter among hockey pundits that Canada’s 2023 squad was arguably their best in several years and one of the best the tournament has seen in its history. After a tough loss, there is even more pressure for this Canadian squad to bounce back next game.
Canada took the lead halfway through the first period when captain Shane Wright tipped home a point shot from Owen Zellweger on the man advantage.
Canada outshot the Czech Republic 12-9 in the first period and controlled the majority of the period, spending a lot of time in the offensive end and generating quality scoring chances.
A few minutes later, Canada appeared to double their advantage, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The game remained 1-0.
Then, the momentum shifted in the Czech Republic’s favour.
Czechia scored two goals, less than 35 seconds apart in the final two few minutes of the first period to take a 2-1 lead.
Less than one minute into the second period, Stanislav Svizol scored to give Czechia a commanding 3-1 lead.
Canada has overcome adversity in previous tournaments and overcame a 1-0 and 2-1 deficit against Finland in their final preliminary game.
After falling down 3-1, Canada responded quickly. After forcing a turnover in the neutral zone, Shane Wright sprung a pass to Connor Bedard who wired a shot into the far-side top corner on the odd-man rush to cut Czechia’s lead in half.
However, the game’s turning point came almost five minutes into the second period when Canada’s Zach Dean received a five-minute penalty and a game suspension for an illegal hit to the head.
Was the hit clean? No, it wasn’t. Should it have received a five-minute penalty and game misconduct? No, it shouldn’t have; a two-minute penalty at most. In the NHL, that would seldom get called.
Czechia capitalized twice on their long powerplay, getting goals from Jaroslav Chmelar and Matous Mensik which saw their lead increase to 5-2.
Canada goalie Benjamin Gaudreau struggled on his World Juniors debut, getting pulled midway through the second period after allowing five goals on 17 shots. Gaudreau didn’t play well by any means but it wasn’t all on him.
Canada’s defence made plenty of mistakes, had a few crucial turnovers, could not clear the zone at times and allowed Czechia’s offence to get comfortable and create several quality scoring chances in high-percentage areas like the slot and in the faceoff circle with their excellent puck movement.
On the other end, the Czech Republic were phenomenal defensively all game long and their goaltender Tomas Suchanek stood on his head making 37 saves, many of them in key moments early in the game to avoid falling 2-0 down or to sustain their lead in the third period.
Canada was dominant in the third period, and spent nearly the entire frame in Czechia’s end, using their creative playmaking and puck movement to generate several scoring chances.
But Czechia’s defence held strong: blocking shots, forechecking well, taking away passing lanes and clearing the zone as soon as they got the puck to prevent prolonged attacking opportunities. Suchanek made 15 saves in the third period to secure Czechia’s 5-2 win.
Special teams were also the difference in this one. Canada converted on one of its three powerplays, and Czechia converted on two of its eight powerplay attempts. Canada had to kill off six penalties and Czechia only had to kill off two.
Canada was very undisciplined tonight and you can’t expect to win against good teams when you spend so long on the penalty kill.
With their win tonight, it’s the first time Czechia has beaten Canada in nine years. The last time was a 5-4 shootout win in the second group game at the 2014 World Juniors.
After beating Canada, Czechia has the upper hand to win Group A but is behind Sweden - who thumped Austria 11-0 earlier today - on goal difference.
Canada has the day off tomorrow before taking on Germany on Dec. 28. There are some bright spots Canada can build on - like Connor Bedard's 11 shots on goal and Canada's ability to move the puck - however, they need to work on being more clinical by finishing the chances they do create and playing more disciplined hockey by staying out of the box.
No comments:
Post a Comment