“As a result, it’s good so far. We have points and we know that we are able to play a balanced game with any opponent under the conditions that we have movement for the whole 60 minutes. We have to skate and stick to the game plan so that there is a chance for a result,” said Kalous in an online interview with journalists.
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He praised the young hockey players for the fact that they were able to assert themselves at the end of both Czech matches played. Against Slovakia, Gabriel Szturc decided the Czech victory 5:4 in the time 58:10, against Finland in the 53rd minute, captain Jan Myšák was able to tie the game at 3:3 and quickly respond to the previous goal of the Northerners.
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“Just like in the first match (against Finland) we had a problem with the suspensions, the opponent caught up to us and took the lead. But we were able to score a goal and equalize, which are valuable things for the boys. We are happy that the boys can to play,” said an associate of the head coach, Radim Rulík, highlighting the team’s hard work and integrity. “It is important that everyone in the cabin is positive. Hockey is a game of mistakes and it is valuable that they want to help each other. We would like it to continue,” he wished.
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Today, the Czech national team has a free day in Canada, the players have voluntary training and are dedicated to regeneration. After that, they will start preparing for the stellar home team, which outclassed Slovakia 11:1 in the second match.
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“If it didn’t scare us? We know what kind of team Canada has here. Just like what the Finns, Swedes or America have. They are top teams, which everyone who follows hockey knows. Most of their players are active in adult hockey. On the other hand, that’s a huge motivation for us to be able to match them. The guys perceive it positively, they’re not afraid to play with them. But the respect is there, a healthy respect. We know we have to play 60 minutes,” said Kalous.
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As against Finland, according to him, the Czechia will try to play well in defense and at the same time not be afraid to attack. “Don’t be afraid of forechecking. We have to change the rhythm of the game, but at the same time be careful not to open up space for a quick counterattack. These are the standard things we want from the boys. We go step by step and the boys try to fulfill everything, which we are happy about.” Kalous stated.
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Finn Kasper Simontaival in front of Czech goalkeeper Jan Bednář in the match of the World Hockey Championship under 20 years of age.Photo: Jason Franson, CTK/AP
The Czech team in Canada also includes the coach of the senior national team, Kari Jalonen, who works closely with Rulík and his assistants. “He arrived for us on the seventh. He was already with us in Finland for a tournament, where he was with us for two days. We talked a lot about the connection of the A team, the 20s, the 18s. He is with us at the hotel, he participates in all the matches, he does a certain match statistics. We talk after the matches. It’s valuable knowledge and we’re glad that this connection happened,” said Kalous, who is also the sports manager of all youth national teams.
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The coach of the 18 team, Jakub Petr, is also with the team in Edmonton. “I think that for the first time in history, thanks to the summer term (championship), there was a chance that representatives of all the main categories could meet. They tell us their findings and we take from it what we consider important,” added Kalous.
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