Czech Republic beats Russia to secure first ever Karjala triumph

10 Nov 2012 | Lukáš Peroutka

Zbynek Irgl netted a goal and an assist as the Czech Republic won also their third game of Karjala tournament and clinched victory for the very first time. Ondrej Pavelec was once again impressive in goal, making 36 saves.

Czech team conceded just two goals in three games of the first international break of the season. Alexandr Salak and Ondrej Pavelec proved to be an almost unbeatable goalkeeping duo with the latter starting both games in Turku.

In the first period, Czechs got ahead thanks to Zbynek Irgl. Dynamo Minsk forward slipped in between Russian defenders, got in front of goalie Barulin and scored with a precise forehand deke.

Irgl was involved also in the second goal as he set up Jakub Kindl on the blue line and the Detroit Red Wings defenseman beat Barulin thanks to a deflected shot. Both goals came on a power play. Russians pressed to get back into the game, but were being denied by a precise Czech defense and a solid Pavelec.

The Winnipeg Jets goalie stopped all shots also on a long 4-minute Russian powerplay early in the second period and it took increasing pressure later in the period and a great fierce shot by Yevgeny Medvedev to finally get Russia on the scoresheet.

Russia pressed for an equalizer in the third period, but their best chances went by early after the break. As the clock went down, Czechs looked more solid at the back and with Pavelec stopping all shots going his way, they could celebrate not only a victory over Russia, but also the first ever triumph at Karjala tournament.