Today marks the final day of the WJC. Canada plays Czechia for gold, while the USA and Sweden meet in the bronze medal game. It’s going to be interesting to see how much these teams have left in the tank after their hard fought journeys through the preliminary and medal rounds.
Here are my pre-game thoughts on Canada versus Czechia:
1. Canadian goaltender Thomas Milic was spectacular last night against Team USA. He tracked pucks very well and controlled his rebounds. When pucks did spill off his equipment, he battled to make secondary stops. His game has trended up significantly since the beginning of the tournament. The Seattle Thunderbirds goalie, who has gone through the NHL draft twice without being selected, will now be on the radar of NHL teams in the second half of the season. He has earned the respect he deserves with some very impressive stats (1.75 GAA, .940 save percentage).
2. Team Czechia goalie Tomas Suchanek has much in common with Milic. He has also gone through the NHL draft twice and also plays in the WHL (Tri-City Americans). Suchanek was excellent in the overtime win against Team Sweden in the semis – especially in the overtime when he stopped a breakaway and also came up with a sensational glove stop moving from his right to left. He’s a huge part of the reason Team Czechia find themselves in this game today.
3. I can’t heap enough praise on Joshua Roy for his effort last night against Team USA. He was used in all situations and contributed two goals and two assists. In six games Roy has scored five goals, five assists and he’s an incredible plus-13. The Montreal Canadiens draft pick (150th overall in 2021) has done it all for Team Canada, including blocking shots and pushing back physically. His complete game has been noticeable.
4. Brandt Clarke projects to be a two-way/transitional defenceman as he matures at the NHL level. He can quarterback the power-play. Last night he contributed with blocked shots at key times of the game. His defensive game is evolving. Paying the price physically is part of being a solid NHL defender.
5. Connor Bedard’s updated stats heading into the gold medal game: six games played, nine goals, 14 assists, 23 points. Averaging just shy of four points per game at this event is jaw dropping to say the least.
6. Leading Team Canada in average time on ice per game is defenceman Olen Zellweger (22:43) followed by defenceman Ethan del Mastro (20:53).
7. Team Canada captain Shane Wright has scored three goals and three assists in the tournament. He centres one of Canada’s top lines and is deployed on the first power-play unit. He’s made plays at times, but he has also blended in for long stretches of games. I’m looking for more out of Wright in this game. He doesn’t need to score to get my attention. He can start by winning more defensive zone face-offs and pushing back more in the trenches versus Czechia.
8. Canada’s defencemen will be dealing with some heavy players from Czechia on the forecheck. Forwards Jakub Kos (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), Marcel Marcel (6-foot-4, 242 pounds), Matyas Sapovaliv (6-foot-2, 185 pounds), Martin Rysavy (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) and defenceman David Jircek (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) are examples of some of the size Czechia has in its lineup.
OFFENCE FROM THE DEFENCE FOR TEAM CZECHIA
Jiricek is an elusive player on the offensive blue line. His stature doesn’t impede him from making small area escapes and walking the blue line to open shooting lanes. He shoots the puck a ton and he can score from distance. Jiricek scored the game-tying goal against Sweden in the semifinal off a back door slapper, with less than a minute left in regulation time. He has three goals and four assists coming into the gold medal game. Jiricek quarterbacks the top power-play unit for Czechia.
David Spacek (153rd overall to Minnesota in 2022) is also putting up nice numbers offensively for Czechia. He’s a teammate of Canada’s Joshua Roy (Sherbrooke, QMJHL). He has three goals and five assists and averages over 19 minutes of ice time. Spacek is a determined player who gets in the shooting lanes defensively and battles along the wall. He’s only 6-feet, 176 pounds, but he plays bigger than his size.
Stanislav Svozil is the captain for Team Czechia. He’s a teammate of Connor Bedard's with Regina of the WHL and a Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick (69th overall in 2021). He’s produced one goal and seven assists in the tournament. He likes to pinch down, or slide along the boards with the puck on his stick, in the offensive zone. He extends plays and has good vision. Svozil is more of a distributor than a shooter.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Team Canada
• Milic will need to be close to the same as he was versus USA. Goaltending can win or lose a gold medal game.
• Continued results from the top power-play unit.
• Execute with the puck – outlets needs to be crisp and on target.
• Be patient. Czechia will likely fall back and clog the neutral zone when they don’t have possession.
• Win the game in the trenches. Wear down top Czechia defenders with speed, skill, and physical play
• Win the face-off battle. Start first with the puck.
Team Czechia
• Suchanek will have to come up with the game of his life. Goaltending will be key for Czechia.
• Work Canada’s defenders to the brink of exhaustion in the hard areas off the cycle and wear down Canada physically.
• Take advantage of their power-play opportunities.
• Discipline in all areas of the game. Don’t take needless penalties and manage their emotions in front of a pro-Canada crowd.
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