In the basic group, the Czech players took a 1:8 beating from Canada, but in the quarter-finals they managed to surprise Sweden and after nine years fought their way into the top four. However, they did not want to end up in this position, which they showed in the semi-finals from the first minute.
After the initial pressure of the Maple Leafs, the national team also created good chances. Neither the outnumbering nor the Čabelová’s shot took hold yet, but in the 14th minute, captain Adéla Šapovalivová skilfully tipped Chladová’s throw between the concrete of the goalkeeper.
In the second part, Šapovalivová, the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals, performed another fantastic action. With the signaled advantage, she crowded in front of the goal and encouraged Čabelová to score, who made no mistake this time. The Czechs unexpectedly took a 2-0 lead.
Canada was able to reduce in the power play, the most productive player of the tournament, the defender Primeranová, from the right circle burned through the otherwise excellent catching Šenkova. Dušan Andrašovský’s team managed to weaken further, but conceded an equalizing goal at the end of the third period. After an unnecessary loss behind the goal, Zablockiová made her way from the middle circle.
However, the Czech juniors did not rest and four minutes later struck another blow. Defender Klaudie Slavíčková got to the rebounded puck on the right circle and shot exactly to the far post.
Šenková then performed several fantastic saves, many times she was helped by the excellent blocking Czech defense. The women’s national team survived further weakening and in the end, during the game of Canada without a goalkeeper, they added a reassuring goal from the stick of Čabelová. The Czech Republic thus won 4:2 despite the fact that the favorite won clearly 47:12 on shots.
After the final siren, indescribable Czech euphoria could have already broken out. From the sixteenth participation in the Junior Women’s World Championship, the Czech hockey players will take home only the third medal. In addition, for the first time in history, they advanced to the finals, where they will challenge the winner of the second semi-final between the USA and Finland on Sunday from 19:00.
The Czech players were able to defeat the American selection for the first time in the preparation before the championship 4:3 after raids. They lost 2-3 to Finland in the basic group, losing a two-goal lead. Even if the Czechs did not make it to the final, this success is absolutely sensational and unbelievable. Just a few years ago, overseas selections were miles away in terms of quality, now the women’s representatives can compete with them, and even beat them.
Women’s Under-18 Ice Hockey World Championship in Zug (Switzerland): Semifinals: Canada – Czech Republic 2:4 (0:1, 1:1, 1:2) Goals: 29. Primeranová, 43. Zablocká – 24. and 60. Čabelová, 14. Šapovalivová, 47. Slavíčková. 19:00 USA – Finland.
2024-01-13 16:52:30
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