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Canada vs Czech Republic

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Canada – Czech Republic 5 - 3 (3-0,1-1,1-2)

With this year's playing system, every game is important, as the two best teams in the round robin will move up directly to the final.

Both teams were ready for this important game. Canada got the better start and Randy Cox assisted by Nicolas Plourde and Pat McCarron shocked the Czechs with the first goal from Canada after only 76 seconds. In the following minutes Canada successfully killed three penalties in a row. A minute later, the payers of the Czech Republic created their biggest chance of the game so far, but Brian Valentine in the Canadian net, didn't allow any scoring. Things turned worse for the Europeans as Canada scored two more in the closing minutes of the period. First Andrew Howes assisted by Dylan Smith and Andrew Shaw and then Shaw assited by Smith and Howes put the mark on 3:0 for Canada after the opening period.

The second period started with several penalties; finally the Czech Republic could play with four against three. This time, the power play was strong and Josef Poláček opened the score for the Czech Republic. The game was then totally open until a player from the Central Europeans had to go into the penalty box. In the power play Ryan Giesler brought Canada 4:1 ahead with a long distance shot on a pass from Cox.

In the last period, the Czech Republic had to react. They got their chance in the opening minute, when Canada was one man short. The Europeans created several good scoring opportunities, but were not able to shorten the gap. Canada plaid very physically in this period, and therefore the Czech Republic had several additional power play opportunities. Finally it was Lukáš Soukup assisted by Lukáš Dittman and Ondřey Lux who reduced the distance to 4:2, with eight minutes remaining on the clock. The Canadians were able to answer quickly; Patrick Green re-established the three goal advantage for his colors with Tyler McClure and Denver Greer trading the assists. The Czech reaction followed within seconds. Michal Slanec assisted by Lux and Michal Průcha brought his team back into the game marking the 5:3. With still four minutes to go the Europeans fought hard to come back into the game. Unfortunately the Canadians did not manage it to stay out of the penalty box, so the Czechs could finish the game on the power play. But the Canadian box plaid strong today, and didn't allow any further scoring.

With this win Canada is making a first step in the direction of the finals, while the Czech Republic is now under pressure to win its next games.

President's note

George Gortsos
ISBHF president

This past weekend I had the honour of becoming the third President of the ISBHF. I believe that as a player and coach I have always strived to play ball hockey in a skilled and team way. Now I have a chance to work with all the great leaders of our sport throughout the World who love the game like we all do. I met some great people in Paris. And I would like to thank the representatives of all our member nations who voted me in on behalf of ball hockey players around the World. This is an honour I will handle with the honesty and hard work that made me a successful player and coach. I want to share the main keys that I will strive to work with my fellow board members to make this game better around the World.
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