GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 28 • SF2: CAN (7) - CZE (2) F

[Woodhouse]

Semifinal #2:

Canada vs.

Czech Republic
Jan. 4 • 20:00 ET • 02:00 CET
Key Bank Center — Buffalo, NY
TV: CT Sport, Match TV, NHLN, RDS2, SVT, TSN

Canada
(Confirmed lineup per IIHF.)

9 Dillon Dube - 23 Sam Steel - 25 Jordan Kyrou
12 Boris Katchouk - 27 Robert Thomas - 16 Taylor Raddysh
14 Maxim Comtois - 21 Brett Howden - 24 Alex Formenton
11 Jonah Gadjovich - 20 Michael McLeod - 19 Drake Batherson
17 Tyler Steenbergen

28 Victor Mete - 3 Connor Timmins
10 Kale Clague - 8 Dante Fabbro
2 Jake Bean - 7 Cale Makar
6 Cal Foote

31 Carter Hart
1 Colton Point

Czech Republic
(Confirmed lineup per IIHF.)

6 Marek Zachar - 22 Kristian Reichel - 16 Martin Kaut
29 Albert Michnac - 8 Martin Necas - 18 Filip Zadina
25 Radovan Pavlik - 21 Filip Chytil - 15 Daniel Kurovsky
20 Jakub Lauko - 28 Petr Kodytek - 17 Krystof Hrabik
27 Ostap Safin

19 Vojtech Budik - 3 Libor Hajek
12 Frantisek Hrdinka - 23 Jakub Galvas
14 Ondrej Vala - 7 Radim Salda
11 Filip Kral

30 Josef Korenar
1 Jakub Skarek
2 Milan Kloucek
​

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[CuriousGeorge]

I predict Czech Republic will win this one by a score of 4 to 2.

 

[Woodhouse]

Canada's practice lines from Wednesday:

 

[BigBadBoar]

I predict Czech Republic will win this one by a score of 4 to 2.

I would be excited about such score, but honestly, the Czech win would be another miracle on ice really.

 

[Statsy]

Though the Czechs have a number of dangerous offensive weapons, I just don't see them with the overall game to take out Canada. The biggest difference between these two teams is how they play in their own end. To me the separation is a chasm. The Czechs are definitely going to have to tighten up their coverage and that's going to be a big challenge. I hope they've been watching how the Slovaks have done a masterful job of it in recent games. Canada is so tidy and moves that puck out of the zone with a couple of quick passes, straight on to the transition. As for goaltending, Korenar is coming in hot, so they'll probably be okay in this area. Carter Hart has been unflappable in this tourney, and I don't think he's going to get into panic mode like some other Canadian goalies of recent vintage, unless things REALLY start to go bad. I think Canada comes out of the gate firing in this one and the Czechs will need to weather the early storm. If they can do that, they have a reasonable chance. If not, this one could get away from them.

 

[Old Man Jags]

I think the Czechs will work hard but ultimately it will be a comfortable ein for Canada. I very much hope to be proven wrong but I think Canada is one step too far. Even so, I have been positively surprised by the Czech team’s performance at this tournament. A few exciting prospects in that team for the future.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I think the Czechs will work hard but ultimately it will be a comfortable ein for Canada. I very much hope to be proven wrong but I think Canada is one step too far. Even so, I have been positively surprised by the Czech team’s performance at this tournament. A few exciting prospects in that team for the future.

Agree. It might be not exactly easy for Canada, but they probably will take it. The Czech team has to fight and hope. However, I am satisfied with the Czech team's performance at this tournament. They beat Russia and Finland, played decent game against Sweden, outplayed and beat Switzerland rather convincingly. The only game which was really bad was against Belarus, but even there they managed to win at the end. I observe a gradual improvement here during some last 5 years. It may take some more years to get back on the level of, say, Swedes, but I believe we can achieve that.

 

[Simplicity]

I predict Czech Republic will win this one by a score of 4 to 2.

The race to be the first to predict Canada will lose. Just like thevSwiss thread.

 

[maclean]

I would rather lose this in a shootout than be blown out

 

[Tryblot]

I would rather lose this in a shootout than be blown out

Nobody likes a blowout.

 

[Advanced stats]

I predict Czech Republic will win this one by a score of 4 to 2.

You're not serious are you?

5-1 Canada.

 

[kudla]

The best game of this tournament.

 

[maclean]

Nobody likes a blowout.

Wasn't what some people thought in the FIN-CZE thread

You're getting it the wrong way around. It is painful because it is close and could have gone either way. A blowout... there's no question about the better team.

 

[Baxterman]

Only way I see Canada losing is by taking dumb penalties.

5 on 5 there is no way the Czechs can hang with Canada.

 

[jj cale]

If it's a one goal game going into the third I actually like the Czechs chances, they have shown they have the players to make you pay with just a few opportunities.

Hang in there, keep it close and bang a couple in or take it to a shootout............ Hart is no world beater.

 

[Bedards Dad]

I'm going with 5-2 Canada. I think the Czechs will score first and hold it tight for the 1st, then Canada will break out and win with ease.

 

[57special]

Feels like Canada will barely have to work to get into the final.

 

[Tryblot]

Wasn't what some people thought in the FIN-CZE thread

Meh. Depends on the situation I guess. If I'm watching Team Canada I would much rather a close game win or lose because Canada wins often. I guess if I'm watching a game 7 for St. Louis I would rather the blowout because it's easier. Then again, I much preferred watching game 7 against Chicago than I did game 7 against Dallas even if it was a lot harder to watch.

 

[4thlineduster]

I would rather lose this in a shootout than be blown out

If this game goes to a shootout I have Czechs as the heavy favourite at that point.

 

[zorz]

My prediction: 6 - 2 Canada

 

[BigBadBoar]

If this game goes to a shootout I have Czechs as the heavy favourite at that point.

Yes, but the probability that this game goes into a shootout is significantly lower than that Godzilla will rise from the Lake Eerie during it.

 

[Prov1X]

I don't expect another lopsided win (like in the exhibition game), but think that Canada takes this one. 5-3 maybe?

 

[tony d]

Should be a fun game. Canada 3-1 is my prediction.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

I predict Czech Republic will win this one by a score of 4 to 2.

I agree Canada has not looked very good this tournament, only a very hot goalie has kept them in it.

 

[Skip2myBordyloo]

I agree Canada has not looked very good this tournament, only a very hot goalie has kept them in it.

Yup, only a hot goalie had them lead the round robin in goals.