Both Zadina and Kořenář started the weekend match. In particular, Sparta’s 26-year-old goalkeeper is undergoing an enormous workload in the absence of Jakub Kovář, which apparently affected his health. He will not add his second national team start for the time being. He will be replaced in the nomination by 22-year-old Jakub Málek, who caught six duels for the national team last year and is now enjoying a successful start to the season in Ilves Tampere.
Coach Rulík also had to deal with absences in the offensive line. In addition to Zadina, Jiří Smejkal also apologized, who was already absent from Dynamo in Sunday’s match against Vítkovice, so it was expected that he would not participate in the meeting. The head coach therefore called the substitutes Lence and Kunc.
The plans of the new general manager of the ice hockey team, Jiří Šlégr. They will go overseas in February and MarchVideo: Sport.cz
Thirty-three-year-old Radan Lenc has participated in two world championships and the Olympic Games in Beijing. He completed the last World Championship in Prague as a substitute. He has been working in Jönköping in the HV71 team for the third year, this year he collected five points in fifteen games for three goals and two assists.
Michal Kunc, who is nine years younger, is a representative rookie, together with goalkeeper Ondřej Kacetl and striker Marko Kalus, he will be the third debutant in the current selection. With twelve points (3+9) he is the most productive player in Olomouc and with +15 he leads the plus-minus statistics of the entire extra league.
The national team will meet in Karlovy Vary today and have their first training session in the early evening. On Thursday from 17:00 in the KV arena, the national team will open the season with a duel with Sweden as part of the Karjala tournament. A day later, he will move to Helsinki, Finland, where he will challenge the home team on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. and face Switzerland on Sunday from 12:30 p.m.
The Czech Ice Hockey Squad: A Comedy of Errors
Ah, the beautiful game of ice hockey! Or is it just a beautiful mess? The Czech ice hockey team is gearing up for the Karjala tournament, and boy, are we in for a treat—or maybe a riot! Let’s dive into what’s happening with our Czech stars, shall we?
Goalkeeping Shenanigans
First off, we’ve got the saga of Sparta’s 26-year-old goalkeeper, Zadina. He’s been shouldering an enormous workload while his seasoned counterpart, Jakub Kovář, has apparently decided that being injured is the new trend. Zadina’s exertions have led him to suffer a bit of wear and tear—can we blame him? If you had to fend off shots on goal without a break, you’d be feeling it too! But alas, no second national team start for him—time to call in the kid, 22-year-old Jakub Málek, like a parent replacing the evening’s lost dinner with takeout!
Missing in Action
Now, let’s tackle the offensive line—or rather, the missing offensive line, featuring Jiří Smejkal, who’s decided that dodging Dynamo matches is more fun than playing them. Honestly, I can’t blame him; who wants to show up after all those aches and pains? The coach, Rulík, is left scrambling for substitutes. It sounds like a bad game of musical chairs where everyone gets injured before the music even starts!
Comings and Goings
And who is this new general manager, Jiří Šlégr, stirring the pot? Apparently, he’s got big plans to head overseas. I can hear the players’ wallets screaming already! 33-year-old Radan Lenc has seen a lot of ice, having been a sub at the last World Championship and now cranking out five points in fifteen games at HV71. That’s right, folks, it takes three years to become an overnight sensation!
The Rookie Brigade
Now, make way for some fresh faces! Michal Kunc, who sounds like he should be standing outside of a trendy bar with an artisanal cocktail, is the latest addition to the lineup fresh off a productive stint with Olomouc. With numbers like 12 points (3+9) and leading the plus-minus statistic, he’s basically the new kid in school who actually managed to do his homework!
Training Days and Tournament Hoorays!
The national team is rendezvousing in glorious Karlovy Vary, ready to kick off their training regimen—can hear the ice cracking under the pressure already! The first matchup is set against Sweden, which, let’s be honest, sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially when they’re famous for their world-class furniture and meatballs while we’re struggling to keep our sticks straight!
Meet the Team
Here’s the rundown of our squad for the Karjala tournament scheduled from November 7-10:
- Goalkeepers: Ondřej Kacetl, Jakub Málek
- Defenders: Košťálek, Mašín, Pyrochta, Ščotka, Ticháček, Gazda, Jandus, Knot, Kučerík, Zábranský
- Attackers: Hrabík, Kousal, Kaut, Kondelík, Beránek, Flek, Kalus, Kunc, Kantner, Kodýtek, Kovařčík, Lenc, Špaček, Voženielek, Zohorna
Conclusion: Buckle Up!
The stage is set, the cast is ready, and we’re primed for a historic re-enactment of ‘How Not to Play Hockey’ in the upcoming tournament. With more twists and turns than a season of reality television, let’s hope our boys find the ice, not just the bench, and make us proud—if not chuckle along the way!
Stay tuned, because whether it’s a triumph or a trainwreck, it’s bound to be entertaining!
Both Zadina and Kořenář took to the ice as starters in the weekend’s match, showcasing their abilities in a critical game. Notably, Sparta Prague’s 26-year-old goalkeeper, who has been thrust into a high-pressure situation due to the injury absence of Jakub Kovář, has faced a significant strain, which seemingly took a toll on his health. As a result, he will not earn his second cap for the national team just yet. In his stead, 22-year-old Jakub Málek has been called up; he was instrumental in six national team matches last season and is currently making waves with a strong performance at Ilves Tampere, further solidifying his position.
Navigating the challenges of player absences, Coach Rulík found himself without key players in the offensive lineup. Along with Zadina, Jiří Smejkal also expressed his inability to participate, having missed Dynamo’s match against Vítkovice. Consequently, the head coach opted to bring in substitutes Lence and Kunc to fill the gaps and maintain the team’s competitive edge.
Thirty-three-year-old Radan Lenc, a seasoned player with experience from two world championships and the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, brings a wealth of expertise to the lineup. After serving as a substitute during the last World Championship in Prague, he has continued his career with HV71 in Jönköping, where he has contributed five points in fifteen games this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
On the other hand, the younger Michal Kunc, who is nine years Lenc’s junior, stands as a promising newcomer to the national team. He joins the ranks of the new selection along with goalkeeper Ondřej Kacetl and forward Marko Kalus as a debutant. Kunc has amassed an impressive twelve points (3 goals and 9 assists) in the current season, making him the most productive player from Olomouc and leading the entire extra league with a remarkable +15 plus-minus rating.
The national team is set to convene in Karlovy Vary, where they will kick off their first training session this evening. They are gearing up for an exciting season opener against Sweden, scheduled for Thursday at 5:00 PM at the KV arena, as part of the prestigious Karjala tournament. Following that, the team will head to Helsinki, Finland, to take on the home team in a matchup slated for Saturday at 4:00 PM, before facing Switzerland on Sunday at 12:30 PM.
Karlovy Vary, where they will kick off their training in anticipation of the Karjala tournament. It’s almost like gathering a group of rowdy kids for a school camping trip, with excitement, anxiety, and the smell of potential failure hanging in the air. The squad will be facing tough competition, beginning with a showdown against Sweden, a match that promises to be both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
As we prepare for the tournament, fans and players alike are hoping for a blend of skill and luck. With Zadina absent and young stars like Kunc stepping into the limelight, it’s a perfect metaphor for hockey—sometimes you have to put your faith in the fresh talent when the seasoned veterans aren’t able to carry the team.
With the stakes high and the roster bolstered by a mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers, the Czech ice hockey squad is set to take to the ice, ready to create some memorable moments. Will they conquer the challenges ahead, or will they provide us with a comedy-worthy performance? Only time—and the puck—will tell!
So, grab your snacks, settle in, and prepare for a wild ride as the Czech team aims to mix courage with chaos in the Karjala tournament! Stay tuned for updates, as it’s bound to be a rollercoaster of emotions on and off the ice. Whether they turn out victorious or comically inept, it’s sure to be an entertaining spectacle for all.
