Czech golden dream vanishes

The Czech Republic will not battle for the gold medal. The tournament host team started its quarter-final against Canada well and held the lead for the most of the time, but this was not enough, as the Canadians proved their will to win and made it through to the semi-finals after a 6-5 shootout win.

In the 3rd minute, the very first great opportunity went for Team Hammond, but Salficky made a great save against him. Also Petr Senkerik did not open the score of the game in the 6th minute when he overshot the net. The first goal went also on the Czech account after a great deke by Vladimir Kames. Canadians made the game tied during their power play, when Cap got a minor penalty for high sticking. Terry´s shot was rebounded by Kyle Sheen. Czech players managed to get back into leading and this time they doubled it. In the 21st minute, Strycek passed to Simo who scored and 72 seconds later Senkerik also fired perfectly.

Czech players did not slow down and wanted to please their fans with another goal. However, the effect was exactly the opposite. In the 32nd minute, Chris Terry did not give Salficky a chance after firing from the middle of the offensive zone. After a short break, Czechs took the 2-goal leading back after Sebek´s goal. Canadians, however, proved how they do not like losing with anybody and made the game tied till the end of the proper game time. In the 38th minute, Baumgartner lowered the Czech lead and finally Hammond deleted the lead at all in the 42nd minute. Canadians were not satisfied with the tying and they also got themselves one step ahead few moments later after Wood´s good shot. Czech players sent the game to an overtime thanks to Sebek´s second goal in the game.

Even the overtime did not point to the winner, so the shoot-out had to. Firstly, Sebek gave a hope to Czech players by beating Leggat in the face-to-face battle, but also Wood made his job right. When Terry found a gap between Salficky´s body and arm, Czech players had to find an answer. But they didn´t and Canadians could live a gold dream still. But the Czech one, has suddenly disappear.