Extraliga MVP out as Czech Republic makes a final cut

Czech team got on the scoresheet late in the game thanks to two goals by Martin Havlat. „We only started playing at 0-4 and that is too late,“ said Ondrej Nemec, one of the players who survived the final cut made by head coach Alois Hadamczik right after the game.

Those who did not make the final squad for WCH include Martin Sevc, Michal Vondrka and also Martin Ruzicka, top scorer and MVP of Czech Extraliga and Eurohockey.com Player of the Month for March.

In a surprise move, Alois Hadamczik added Martin Frolik of Chicago Blackhawks on the roster. „His recent performances have been very good. We need good skaters on the team and I think Frolik meets our criteria. He knows about our interest, he has expressed a desire to come here and join the team,“ explained Hadamczik.

Czech squad aiming to defend last year’s title includes 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders and 15 forwards. Ondrej Pavelec is set to be the number one goalie. Hadamczik admitted that Jakub Stepanek may also get some games, but refused to be drawn into speculation: „We would like to give Stepanek a chance, but this is not up for debate now. Our decision will be based on the games we play in Bratislava,“ said the coach.

He reserved a special praise for Martin Havlat, recently criticised for poor performances in Euro Hockey Tour games last week. „Martin showed what a great player he is. I asked him to perform as if we played a decisive quarterfinal game to show us that he can perform here like in the NHL. I told him before the game he had not shown those qualities so far.“ Havlat then scored both Czech goals.

The Czech roster is still not finalized, though. „We are waiting for the outcome of Bruins – Canadiens play off series in the NHL. If Tomas Plekanec or David Krejci are available, we are going to contact them. We would be interested in Tomas Kaberle, as well, but we do not know if they are willing to come. We have not spoken with them so far.“

Last year, Czechs were widely considered as outsiders. This year, however, the situation is different. According to title odds, Czech Republic is just behind Canada and Russia as a favorite to win the championship. „We will be in a different position, for sure. Everybody considered us as underdogs a year ago, now we are the reigning champions and every opponent will be motivated to perform well.“

The strength of the Czech team will be tested in the very first game, on Saturday evening against Latvia.

Goalkeepers:
Ondrej Pavelec (Atlanta, NHL)
Jakub Stepanek (St. Petersburg, KHL)
Jakub Kovar (Ceske Budejovice)

Defenders:
Petr Caslava (CSKA Moscow, KHL)
Lukas Krajicek (Trinec)
Radek Martinek (New York Islanders, NHL)
Jakub Nakladal (Pardubice)
Ondrej Nemec (Cherepovets, KHL)
Karel Rachunek (Yaroslavl, KHL)
Martin Skoula (Omsk, KHL)
Marek Zidlicky (Minnesota, NHL)

Forwards:
Roman Cervenka (Omsk, KHL)
Patrik Elias (New Jersey, NHL)
Michael Frolik (Chicago, NHL)
Martin Havlat (Minnesota, NHL)
Petr Hubacek (Brno)
Jaromir Jagr (Omsk, KHL)
Jakub Klepis (Ufa, KHL)
Petr Koukal (Pardubice)
Jan Marek (Atlant, KHL)
Milan Michalek (Ottawa, NHL)
Jiri Novotny (Astana, KHL)
Petr Prucha (St. Petersburg, KHL)
Tomas Rolinek (Magnitogorsk, KHL)
Petr Vampola (Omsk, KHL)
Jakub Voracek (Columbus, NHL)

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