GDT: Czech Republic Vs Russia | 12/27 @ 9:30PM ET | TSN/NHLN

[Czechboy]

One of the quirks of the Bragin teams was they often had the tendency to have a few round robin stinkers where they'd either lose or have a tough game against a team they were expected to beat. It will be interesting to see if the trend continues under Larionov.

It's very true... the Russians approach the round robin very differently. Eg. Sweden and Canada are very precise, improve every game and rarely lose. Russians seem to take it casually and then amp it up to a million in elimination games. To me, it looks like this awesome swagger where they really don't care who they play in the quarters. Eg. Last year we beat them and they got to the finals. The loss didn't affec tthem on bit!

 

[smitty10]

Has it been announced who's starting in net for the Czechs?

 

[cska78]

I expect a much tighter game today, than Czech had with Sweden. First preriod they played pretty well.

 

[Czechboy]

Has it been announced who's starting in net for the Czechs?

It's a tough call, all that is left is higher end goalies who got drafted into the NHL... they prefer them on the bench.lol

 

[smitty10]

It's a tough call, all that is left is higher end goalies who got drafted into the NHL... they prefer them on the bench.lol

I was under that impression given that they started Malik for some reason.

 

[Czechboy]

I was under that impression given that they started Malik for some reason.

Czech tradition! Even at Seniors.. if we have an NHL goalie, we sit him for the Euro one. Drives me bananas.lol
To answer your question though, I don't know the starting lineups.. I better see Kubicek and Parik/Bednar. I don't blame Malik but back to back is a tough call for anyone.

 

[c9gunner]

Abramov is not playing tonight.

 

[Czechboy]

I don't see Pytlik's name anywhere?
Going back to Malik on a back to back after 7 goals
Kubicek is 7th D

FML

I get we don't have the guns to beat Russia but can we at least play our best players to get a chance at winning?

 

[BigBadBoar]

The Czech team is going to miss Jaromir Pytlik, probably some health issues. Malik should start in the net.

 

[BigBadBoar]

I don't see Pytlik's name anywhere?
Going back to Malik on a back to back after 7 goals
Kubicek is 7th D

FML

I get we don't have the guns to beat Russia but can we at least play our best players to get a chance at winning?

It is almost 100% sure Pytlik is injured or sick. Hopefully it is nothing serious.

 

[Czechboy]

A Man Jumps Through A Window GIF - Indignation Jump Window - Discover & Share GIFs

 

[Czechboy]

A Man Jumps Through A Window GIF - Indignation Jump Window - Discover & Share GIFs

Clearly my gif game needs work!

 

[Nineteen67]

I don’t care who wins as long as the Czechs score more goals.

 

[Czechboy]

It is almost 100% sure Pytlik is injured or sick. Hopefully it is nothing serious.

We have like 5 guys who can score.. can we not at least get 1 game with all of them?lol

Your thoughts on going back to Malik after 7 goals allowed and back to back? This is madness to me personally.

 

[BigBadBoar]

We have like 5 guys who can score.. can we not at least get 1 game with all of them?lol

Your thoughts on going back to Malik after 7 goals allowed and back to back? This is madness to me personally.

I don't know. Don't see any big difference between the 3 goalies. Malik is known to be mentally strong, I think this is going to be the last of our problems. The absence of Pytlik is more serious. They did not release anything, but if he was 100% healthy he would surely be in the line-up. Perhaps he suffered some minor injury and they want to give him a day off to recover. The truth is that the Austria game is going to be the key one for the Czech team.

 

[Atas2000]

Could be injury I guess but I think your bias against him needs to be re-evaluated maybe as well as our praise. He’s definitely one of the most skilled and hopefully gets to prove it. Was one of the few good forwards in the ore tourney game. They’ll need all the skill if they want to beat a stacked Canada

I am too lazy to dig up my posts, but if you do you will find out I considered him a candidate for on of the top6 center spots. I am not going to re-evaluate that for now.

Facts are:

Safonov looks better and better with every game. I see no reason whatsoever he would lose his spot.

Larionov sees Khusnutdinov centering the top line for now. Good or bad, it is what it is.

 

[smitty10]

The Czech team is going to miss Jaromir Pytlik, probably some health issues. Malik should start in the net.

Hope he doesn't. Was particularly strong allowing 7 goals against Sweden. Shake it up!

 

[Atas2000]

It's official. I am whispering into Larionov's mind

He reshuffled the lines and put Afanasiev on the line with Khusnutdinov and Podkolzin, just as me, myself and I suggested

New forward lines for tonight's game:

 

[PanniniClaus]

Parik in goal for the Czechs

 

[hockey20000]

hard to believe cze won 3 of the last 5 lol.

 

[Czechboy]

TSN says Parik
They also say Czechs have won 3 of the last 5 against Russia.. how in the world is that possible? The Russian program is miles ahead of ours currently.

Drinking Kozel did not work against Sweden so I'm switching to Pilsner Urquell for this one.

 

[Fried Tree Sap]

I think Russia takes it 3-1

 

[Czechboy]

Keys to the game:

Russia: be Russia, score early, score often and blitz us out before the first period is over
Czechs: realize you are not Russia, you lack skill everywhere, be patient, wait for a good chance and drag it out as long as you can soccer style. grind and slow it down and counter attack when you can

 

[Czechboy]

The jerseys are awful but the pads are brilliant!

 

[tictactoe]

bad choice of uniform.