Cozens beat Dostál twice! Canada defeated Czech Republic 4:3! Pastrňák and Zacha on the same line with Červenka

The last match of the basic groups did not go well for the Czech team. The home team lost to the favoured Canada 3:4 in overtime. Dylan Cozens returned the favour with his second goal. Czech Republic will be the third worst team in the group.

Mystery solved. Radim Rulík sent Roman Červenka to the first Czech forward pair from Boston, who was replaced by Palat on the second line with Kas and Sedlak. Martin Nečas moved to the third line with Kämpf and Kubalík.

Both teams’ shooters sent seventeen shots at the opponents’ goalies in the opening period, but both Jordan Binnington and Lukáš Dostál remained unbeaten. This despite both teams having a power play opportunity. Jakub Krejcik went to the penalty box after 18 seconds of play.

The home team’s last game in the regular season offered the packed O2 Arena a brisk hockey game. Great Czech fans saw David Tomasek’s shot from the turn, but the 2019 Stanley Cup winner remained flawless.

The home team also had another big chance. Červenka wanted to capitalize on Pastrňák’s great work, but unfortunately, he only hit Binnington’s concrete from point-blank range. A nice performance by the Czech national team still didn’t lead to a goal.

The shootout in the third period was sent into overtime by Cervenka

The last period started with Kempny’s exclusion, which after only seven seconds was converted into the leading goal by Dylan Cozens. The Buffalo goal scorer scored his seventh goal of the game and eighth of the championship. He is the top scorer of the championship. But more on that later.

At 47:20, the star child of Canadian hockey, Connor Bedard, went to the penalty box. The indiscipline was punished by Dominik Kubalik with nine seconds left in the power play. The Ottawa forward took advantage of great interplay with Nečas and Sedlak.

But after one minute and fifty seconds the score changed again. Canada took the lead back thanks to Dawson Mercer. Ondrej Palat’s teammate from New Jersey beat Dostal with a great backhand stick.

The Czechs pushed for an equalizer in the final five minutes, but the Canadians struck back from a breakaway. Brandon Hagel capitalized on the great work of captain Tavares – 3: 1. The difference of one goal was then brilliantly reduced by Palat. And that wasn’t all!

The equalizer was provided by veteran Roman Cervenka, who took advantage of a cross-assist from Martin Nečas. The 38-year-old forward’s shot found a gap in the Canadian net and it went to overtime.

It saw a continuation of the brisk hockey that was interrupted by Dubois’ exclusion. Unfortunately, it didn’t mean an advantage for the home team, on the other side Dostal was beaten for the second time by Cozens. The current top scorer of the championship made the decision.

Source