The head coach Nik Zupančič and his team quickly realised they would not stand much chance. Namely, the Czech team scored three goals in the first 12 minutes, securing an excellent position to win.

The Czechs then eased the game a bit, and the Slovenians got some room to breathe. Assisted by Jan Muršak, it was Miha Verlič who eventually managed to score a goal for Slovenia in 45th minute of the game. The final ratio of shots per goal stood at 37:15 for Czechia.

Slovenia probably played with a bit of reserve, since it is going to play against Belarus on Saturday at 4.15 pm. If the Lynx win, Slovenia gets to stay in the elite division, which is the goal. Before Friday’s match against France, the Belarus team was the only one that has failed to win any points at the championship.
Repik used power play
The Czech came into the lead in the 3rd minute when Slovenian Blaž Gregorc was benched. The goalkeeper, Gašper Krošelj, manage to save a shot from Roman Červenka, but then Jan Kovar came into the possession of the puck and passed it over to Michal Repik, who scored. In a counter attack a few moments later, Aleš Mušič had a good opportunity to score but the Czech goalie Petr Mrazek blocked it.

Two goals in a row by Horak for 3:0
The Czechs – who were in much better shape – kept attacking. A second goal was imminent. Jan Muršak was penalised in the 8th minute, and less than a minute later Czechia doubled the lead. After David Pastrnak passed the puck from behind the goal Roman Horak fired a direct shot, hitting the camera in the net. The puck bounced from the goal, which is why the referee only confirmed it after watching the video. The powerful start of the Czech culminated in the 12th minute, when Horak sent a puck behing Krošelj’s back after a pass from Radek Gudas. The Slovenian team later had two power plays but failed to fire any dangerous attempts on Mrazek’s net.

After the break, the Czechs continued to dominate. In the 23rd minute Michal Kempny increased the lead to 4:0. The Czechs then eased the rhythm and the Slovenians threatened Mrazek’s goal with a few serious attempts.

Verlič scores for Slovenia
in the 45th minute Slovenia finally scored. Jan Muršak passed the puck to Miha Verlič from behind the net, and the latter got past Mrazek. However, Czechia responded rapidly. Roman Červenka escaped Slovenia’s defence and tricked Krošelj with a shot toward the left goalpost. The teams then more or less waited for the siren to announce the end of the match, although both had a few more chances to score.

Aleš Vozel, MMC; translated by K. Z.