Ice hockey goalkeeper Tomáš Suchánek put on a great performance in the Czech junior national team’s victory in the semi-finals of the World Championship against Sweden 2:1 after extra time. In regulation time, he faced just 17 shots and conceded once, but made key saves in the allotted time. The 19-year-old goalkeeper faced five tries from the northerners and after Jiří Kulich made the decision with 69:10, he could start celebrating.
“In overtime, the opponent got the better of it. I don’t know what it was. Maybe we were a little nervous. But luck was on our side. Maybe also thanks to the fact that the Swedes had him in the group match.” Suchánek said after the match, pointing to the first Czech-Swedish match in the basic round, in which coach Radim Rulík’s men were more active and played better, but lost 2:3 after extra time.
This time, however, the Czechs cheered in the end. “It was incredible nervousness and an unforgettable experience. When we scored a goal, I started screaming, jumping, flying around the stadium. Then I remember chasing Jiří Kulich,” laughs Suchánek.
In the sixth league game, Přerov’s protégé conceded only once, at the beginning of the second period he was beaten by defender Ludvig Jansson with a shot from behind. “I only saw the puck at the last moment, it flew between our player’s legs. through Jaroslav Chmelař block.
However, the Czech team created a big lead in the third period and finally David Jiříček managed to equalize it in the power play. “The pressure was incredible. I kept telling myself that every save I made was extremely important. I believed the boys would score at least one goal. My job wasn’t to score another,” said the Tri-City Americans goalkeeper.
Suchánek has fulfilled his task. Kulich’s goal 50 seconds before the end of extra time subsequently took the Czech Republic to the final, in which they will enter after 22 years. “It’s incredible, this is what each of us dreamed of as a child. I’m very proud of the team,” Suchánek exulted.
