Czech Republic blanks Belarus in Stockholm opener

03 May 2013 | Fredrik Pålsson

Belarus gave Czech Republic a hard game but it end the favourites won 2-0 after two power play goals. Alexander Salak made 21 saves for the shutout in the Czech goal.

It was not one of the most entertaining hockey games but the Czechs did what was needed of them to get a good start and three points out of the opening game versus Belarus.

You could notice that it was an opening game, none of the teams took control of the game and exchanged a couple of chances created through individual effort. Halfway through the first period the Czechs got a chance to open the scoring for free. And they took it when Jakub Voracek took advantage of an 1:57 five on three power play after unlucky puckout call for Belarus. After the goal it was a lot of a Belarus but they failed to beat Salak in the Czech goal.

Belarus put pressure on Salak. Photo: Michal Eger

"It was pretty hard for both teams, opening games always are", Zdenek Kutlak said. His teammate Tomas Fleischmann added "This was a very hard game for us. Belarus played a solid defense and we didn't create much. Power play decided the game".

The second period was also a bit sleepy at the start but the intensity grew and also the crowd started create a better atmosphere after a very silent first half of the game. Even if it was easy to tell the Czechs are a better team they couldn't control the game and both team had chances even if was more and more about the Czech team.

In the third the Czechs made it 2-0 just before the halfway mark. Radim Vrbata found the net from close range picking up a loose puck in front of goal on a power play, the goal was scored just after a great shorthanded opportunity for Belarus. After that Belarus run out of energy and the Czech easily controlled the last ten minutes of the game for the 2-0 win.

Even is only the Czech coach could be pleased with the result but coaches were pleased with the game. "It was an opening game of high quality", Czech coach Alois Hadamczik said. "Belarus was very well organized and skated well and had a great goalie. We had ten players coming from the NHL just two days ago so it was a bit difficult for us".

Belarus' coach Andrei Skabelka said "We played a good Czech team. We had some chances for 1-1 but didn't score. We would like to have another result but our team tried".

The Czechs now have a big game against Sweden tomorrow. "We will scout them tonight, it will be another hard game", Tomas Fleischmann said about the next game.