An overtime loss would have been bearable, but… Pastrňák talks about the game against Canada, his inclusion in the lineup and his adaptation to the World Championship

David Pastrňák and Pavel Zacha clearly revitalized the Czech national team’s offense at this year’s World Championship. However, the duo has had a tough season with Boston. What did the star with the number 88 on his back have to say about his first game in a national team jersey at this World Championship?

Even though the Czech national team lost to Canada in overtime, they are certainly not ashamed of their performance. The players with the maple leaf on their jerseys were already leading 3:1 in the third period, but the Czechs made a fantastic comeback to send the game into overtime.

The Czechs had the advantage of a numerical superiority. The turnaround was not far away, but unfortunately Nečas lost the puck in the offensive zone, which the Canadians punished with a good amount of luck.

“If I had said before the game that we would lose in overtime, it would have been bearable. But we had a huge advantage there, a four-on-three power play. We made two little mistakes and got a goal on our power play. That can’t happen, ” Pastrňák said after the game against Canada, as quoted by Hokej.cz.

Since the announcement of his arrival at the World Championship, there has been much speculation in the hockey circles about which line Radim Rulík will actually put him on. Unsurprisingly, Pastrňák played on the elite line with Pavel Zacha, and the national team coach put Roman Červenka with them.

“I don’t deal with such things, the coaches know that. I wanted us to fit in with Zachic as well as possible. And to make it as small as possible to break the lineup. We are glad that the changes were minimal. Hopefully, we will be 100% ready for Thursday,” said the Havířov native.

Pastrňák also talked about adapting to the World Championship

In any case, it must be said that the Boston duo has had a very challenging season, including the playoffs. What did one of the most productive players in the NHL say about his adaptation to the international rink?

“The energy was there, the timing and the width of the ice is a little bit different. It’s going to take a little bit of time to realize that I have more time there… My body felt pretty good though, it’s a good first step to be better on Thursday,” Pastrnak said.

Cozens thus decided Canada’s victory and first place in Group A. André Tourigny’s men will play Slovakia in the quarterfinals. The Czechs fell to third place and will challenge the United States in the next stage of the tournament.

Source: IIHF, Hockey.cz