The Czech Republic brought one of the most veteran teams in the tournament to Vancouver this year, and so far, it has paid off. Granted, their first two games have been against opponents that they were clearly expected to beat, and it would have been something of a surprise had the Czechs fallen to either their neighbors from Slovakia or the Latvians. Still, to see guys like Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias getting on the board in regular fashion has to be comforting for them.
Jagr played a big role in the Czechs’ first win over Slovakia, netting a goal and an assist, both at the end of the 2nd period to put them ahead for good. Elias opened the scoring early in the first, but the Slovaks have shown they won’t go away easily this tournament, and Gaborik evened the game less than a minute into the 2nd. Jagr netted his first goal of the tourney with just over 2 minutes left in the period, and then assisted on Tomas Plekanec’s powerplay goal with just 2 ticks remaining in the period. Tomas Vokoun was very solid in net, making 34 saves.
Against Latvia tonight, the Czechs came out firing, netting 3 goals in the first five minutes. David Krejci of the Boston Bruins started things off, followed by Plekanec’s 2nd of the Games just over a minute later. Jagr scored on the powerplay 90 seconds later, notching what would eventually be his 2nd game winner in as many games. Tomas Kaberle gave the Czechs a 4-0 lead early in the 2nd, scoring another powerplay goal. The Latvians showed signs of life late in the 2nd, as Kristaps Sotnieks and Girts Akipans scored within 3 minutes of each other to draw within 2 goals. Elias scored an empty net shorthander with 18 seconds remaining in the tilt.
The Czechs’ hot start has them in good position heading into Sunday’s marquee matchup with the Russians. Russia’s shootout loss to Slovakia leaves the Czechs as the only perfect team in Group B, and all they’ll have to do is force overtime to earn a bye to the quarterfinals.