City of Most is ready to host U16 and U18 World Championship
MOST, CZECH REPUBLIC, played host to the 2010 U16/U18 World Junior Championship and did so in fine fashion. The local organizing committee, led by ISBHF National Development Person of the Year Vladimir Papranec, were hopeful to stage a worthy spectacle for their 20th anniversary season of street hockey, for the participating nations, and for the world at large that would catch the festivities live via superb webcast through sponsor www.strizna.cz.
A parade from City Hall to the host arena introduced the nine teams from five nations to the local inhabitants, and the players to the grandeur of the well organized event. Tough global economic conditions presented insurmountable challenges for many nations expected to participate. In the end, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland would battle the 2nd bi-annual World Championships for these two age groups. Canada was defending champion of both categories, claiming them in Zvolen, SVK, in 2008.
Mere seconds after a spectacular across the floor stretch toe-save that was the highlight of the U16 championship, Slovak goalie Denis Godla bobbled a Brendan Fetting slapshot that came careening off the glass behind him deflecting the overtime goal into his own net. The Canadian’s repeat as U16 World Champions was severely in doubt throughout most of the overtime as they killed off a 5-minute major, and had to fight back from a two-goal deficit, with Most Valuable Goaltender Godla making it as difficult as possible.
The highly skilled Slovaks had bested Canada 7:2 in the opening game of the round-robin. Although their dominance was not the same in the Gold Medal game the Central European team produced more dangerous scoring opportunities in the evenly played game. During 5-on-5 play the Slovakians were more often first on the ball and constantly disrupted opponent passes, but in the end it was the perseverance of the Canadians that won out. The resilient bunch bounced back from the valuable first-game lesson that quickly acclimatized Team Canada to the international style of play, building confidence that carried them through the rigours of the final match.
U16 Head Coach Carlo Carlucci and his staff did a masterful job of rallying their troops throughout the tournament, including a powerful 8:3 performance over the Czechs in the must-win game that would decide which of the two advanced to the gold medal final. Several Canadians were awarded individual honours: Jas Kahlon All-star Defenceman, Chris Ceraldi All-star Forward, Colin Catchpole Most Valuable Forward, and Justin Maiolino Tournament MVP.
Canada U18: The little mistakes are always the ones that haunt you. Minutes away from a gold-medal, clinging to a 2:1 lead, the U18 Canadian defender carrying the ball to centre only needed another step or two before dumping the ball into the Slovak zone to keep it from being “icing”. The U18 team from Canada was uncannily confident and poised from the start of the tournament, perhaps rightfully so, most of the players were returnees from the 2008 U16 World Champions. Their line-up included All-star Defenceman Andy Doxtator, All-star Forward Jack Davison, and Most Valuable Defender Jason Shaw.
The uncharacteristic mistake with 8-minutes remaining resulted in a face-off deep in the Canadian end to the right of Tournament Most Valuable Goalie Joseph Pianta, a cleanly won draw, a quick shot from All-star Defenceman Michal Luptak, and a tied game.
Dominating the first seven and one half minutes of the 10-minute overtime period produced numerous opportunities for Canada to take back its earlier near win, but an errant high stick would prove their undoing. After killing the penalty, only 21 seconds remaining in overtime play, but before the returning penalized player could stabilize the Canadian formation a goal mouth scramble provided a loose ball for Stanislav Cavajda that was banged into the net for a Slovak celebration, their first U18 Gold.
The Slovakian goaltender Josef Slavik was spectacular, a star of the final match, and the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. His overtime work was the deciding factor in the game.
Slovakia retains its prestigious history as the only nation to medal at every World Championship in every category since the first was contested in 1996. The 2010 versions for U16 and U18 were both remarkable teams with impressive skill, quickness, and tenacity. Constantly creating turnovers with their aggressive forecheck they capitalized often on the opportunities generated. Strong goaltending for both teams thwarted most of the infrequent defensive miscues.
The veteran Slovak coaching staff know what it takes to win and they effectively instructed those lessons to their players. Two overtime finishes in both gold medal games, one ending in victory (U18) and the other in defeat (U16), the Slovaks return home with pride and their legacy intact. The crews featured other award winners: U18 Most Valuable Forward and Top Scorer Igor Halas, U16 All-star Defender Andreas Strauch, and All-star Forward Lubomir Dinda, sending a clear message to the street hockey world that the future holds more medals for the central Europe nation.
The hometown Czechs struggled to find their form in both divisions. Their skill was abundant. But their energy level could not match the Canadians or Slovaks. Maybe it was the pressure of being the hometown favourites, only the players themselves can answer that. History shows that it can be formidable. Slovakia only managed a silver and a bronze when they hosted two years earlier. Once the weight of having to win was lifted, both teams played more freely and looked magnificent in their bronze medal triumphs at U16 and U18. At U16 Roman Peschout (All-star Goalie), Michal Prucha (All-star Forward), and at U18 Dalimil Zvonek (All-star Forward), Peter Vuchytil (MV Defender), Marek Forejt (Top Scorer) were recognized for their strong play.
Germany was represented only at the U16 level and managed to ride the stellar All-star goaltending of Kal Klimesch long enough to find their rhythm. An important final round-robin victory over Switzerland placed the Germans in the final four for the first time in any WC event, definitely something to build on for the future.
Team Suisse colours were proudly displayed in both categories but the tournament was not their finest. Winless at U16 and U18, the Swiss suffered from a lack of timely goaltending and a consistent team effort. When their net-minders were strong, their overall play was not, and vice versa. There were bright stretches twice against Czechia in U18, challenging for a win into the third period of the round-robin and in the bronze medal games. This alpine nation continues to search for the magic formula for success in street hockey. There is no shortage of skill or effort, example U18 All-star Forward Marc Muller, but victories in WC play remain infrequent and elusive, especially in critical matches.
Later in the month of June, the U20 category of the World Championship will be in Villach, Austria, adding the last piece to the World Junior year.
President's note
Domenic Di Gironimo
ISBHF president
JUNE 26/10 VILLACH, AUT – The last of the trio of events that combine to be the World Junior Championships was completed with splendid backdrop of the Alps.
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