The preliminary spherical continued within the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, with a few groups in “must-win” video games after enjoying only one recreation apiece. The US and Finland confronted off as 0-1 groups in Group B. On the flip facet, Czechia was attempting to experience the momentum from their 2-1 victory over the US on Aug. 5.
Benák Breaks All-Time Report in Czechia’s 7-3 Win
As talked about earlier than, the Czechs appeared to construct on their win towards the People on Aug. 5 after they confronted off towards Germany within the first recreation of the day. They have been led by one of many 2025 Draft’s high prospects, Adam Benák. He was an offensive pressure for his workforce, and it was not simply with the high-level shot he possesses. There have been quite a few instances all through the sport the place he managed the play with the puck on his stick and confirmed off his robust playmaking means that’s tied into his shot as properly. In whole, he tallied 5 factors with a hat trick and two assists. Within the Czechs’ 7-3 win, he grew to become the all-time main level scorer in Hlinka Gretzky Cup historical past (17 factors in seven video games performed), passing gamers like Alexander Ovechkin, Cole Perfetti and Matvei Michkov.
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As a workforce, the Czechs dominated for almost all of the sport, peppering German goalie Aaron Kaiser with 47 pictures. They stored the German protection on their toes all recreation with easy puck motion and all-around play whereas additionally preserving their opponents’ powerplay at bay 4 out of the 5 instances they have been shorthanded. The win helped give the Czechs a spot within the semi-finals on Aug. 9.
Relentless Play & Protection Lead the US to a Bounce Again
After arising quick of their first recreation of the event towards the Czechs, the US acquired themselves again on monitor with a powerful displaying towards Finland of their 3-1 win. The offense was lastly in a position to get going after solely scoring as soon as of their first recreation, thanks largely to the robust defensive play that they displayed. Whereas the Finnish workforce just isn’t loaded with the offensive firepower that they had in final 12 months’s event, led by 2024 first-round decide Emil Hemming, preserving them in verify was nonetheless a powerful feat for the People. The defensive zone play they have been in a position to showcase helped result in loads of offensive possibilities, whether or not it’s rushes via the impartial zone or turnovers pressured by a powerful forecheck.
The workforce’s protection was on show not solely in five-on-five play but additionally on the penalty kill. The People confirmed a powerful willingness to pressure the hand of the Finns whereas shorthanded, enjoying a powerful forecheck and shutting out on any true possibilities that that they had. This helped result in a shorthanded objective for Ben Kevan, who performed a powerful recreation individually and was everywhere in the ice making performs.
The one shortcoming that the US had within the win was their powerplay struggled as soon as once more, getting six alternatives and solely scoring as soon as. Windfall commit Matthew Lansing earned Participant of the Sport for the US after enjoying a stable all-around recreation for the People. For Finland, goaltender Patrik Kerkola helped hold the sport shut for his workforce, making a number of huge saves all through the sport and making a complete of 26 saves on 29 pictures confronted.
What’s Subsequent for All 4 Groups
Czechia will look to maintain rolling as they tackle Finland on Aug. 7, and the US will tackle Germany on Aug. 7 as properly, trying to lock up a spot within the semi-finals.
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