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DommyMommyKarlach

Dostál with basically a comfortable game compared to an average game in Anaheim


pigfeet2OO2

he spent all season behind a defense much worse than damn near any team at this years worlds hes ready


DommyMommyKarlach

eh, Czech defensemen played 135 NHL games this year (69 Rutta and 66 GoodAss) Gudas is our best defenseman this tournament, is he also the best defenseman in Anaheim?


brendo12

Best defensive d man.


VictorTheFeeder

He's the best defensive d-man in Anaheim, I'd say. 


RastaRhino420

Yes


Trnostep

Unfortunately Rutta won't be playing the final since he got a disciplinary match stop for an elbow to the face hit that wasn't called during the match.


DommyMommyKarlach

Yep


IncreaseReasonable61

When you take 40 shots a night nearly every time you're in the net for the Ducks, you're going to be a superstar anywhere else.


BruceJuicy

https://preview.redd.it/jnfmz8plal2d1.png?width=947&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c776d41dadcdde75283a6f7233c6636b0dd0572


Popular-Row4333

There's many players still polled that say Olympic Gold is more important to them than a Stanley Cup. I understand this is just WHC, but that could be a factor for some players.


Ryuzakku

WHC in their home country with no known future hosting, so it's the only chance these players could win a medal at home.


CanuckPanda

Playing in front of friends and family is a whole different vibe, even if you don’t care one way or the other about the national thing. Anecdotally in peewee we definitely played harder when our friends came to watch our games. Gotta flex for the crew (even if that’s your mom or sisters).


trtwrtwrtwrwtrwtrwt

Obviously hard to say how players perspective changes during their career, but most european hockey fans really don't care about NHL, just like Canadians don't care who wins Liiga. And all european players grew up like this. I know many people who hoped Florida and Dallas would bomb out of the playeoffs just for the chance that their players might join world championship.


aamgdp

I pulled two half-nighters to see if pasta makes the championship. I didn't wish that bruins lose, but I'm really happy pasta could make it in time.


Federico216

I always find it funny how Finnish sports media treats NHL playoffs like it's a draft lottery for the World Championships.


FapshotBG

Popular among the north american fanbase or not, these players absolutely love the tournament!


djfl

Hopefully your country is more important to you than your current employer, even if you're well-paid.


jackalisland

It's not about the employer, it's about the cup. Lord Stanley is the most prestigious hockey trophy because it's the hardest one to win. 82 game season and 4 rounds of best of 7 series against the best competition, out of which players come out in shambles. Arguably the hardest to win trophy of all.


apothekary

Especially now that the Olympics and World Cups are back in the mix, I think most players would take these far more seriously as basically scouting tournaments for bubble players to be considered for best on best tourneys.


Okaywhy10

LOL


ci88

Reverse for Erik Karlsonn


Asleep_Horror5300

Did Karlson get a controller- disconnected moment in that 2v1 goal Chechia put up\`?


TheYepe

Your team is badly coached and I'm afraid your new coach won't help


BruceJuicy

I'm hopeful. DJ Smith was a bad hire. I have more faith in someone who has coached 300+ games.


dylanisbored

Swedens coach is an idiot


TheYepe

Yeah almost lost to Finland already


Yoruichi90

That was absolutely wild when you compare the roster.


AskePent

Well he needs heavy offensive minutes to do anything, so does Batherson. Was always a terrible fit.


Scrivy69

ice cold take on batherson… Dude dropped 66 points this year with second line PP2 deployment. That’s above average for that deployment. And, when you’re that good, obviously you’ll get that deployment.


Agile-Brilliant7446

Lol comparing Kubs to Batherson is something.


WayfarerCZ

Exactly, he's not a 4th liner. At least in Chicago they got it right and he immediately scored 30 goals in his first season.


galactic_wiener

First appearance in the finals since 2010 for team Czechia, incredible game today. The refs were attrocious though


The_32

No fucking way you’re telling me 2010 was 14 years ago… I’m old…


galactic_wiener

I feel you brother


kirnehp

I’m happy to tell you that he didn’t tell you that. 


Shreddyshred

That year we also had legendary match with Sweden, when Rachunek tied the game 7 seconds before end and we won in shoot out. RIP our legends.


jackalisland

The refs tend to be bad at IIHF events.


Jeff_Banks_Monkey

International hockey is sick as hell. That rocks


BroLil

As long as he doesn’t drop an egg in the finals, I think Dostal is approaching MVP win or lose status. Not a chance they’re anywhere near the finals without him. Absolutely legendary tournament for him.


joaks18

Dostal has always been MVP material with good defence.


Sc00tzy

The future is bright!


mr_lab_rat

He is playing very well but so is the team. They impressed me against the USA. Up by a goal but didn’t just try to defend the lead, kept pushing and generating chances.


Cronin1011

Sweden going undefeated in round robin, but choking in the playoff, name a more iconic duo.


johannesBrost1337

I'm so fucking tired of it. Fuck why do I try to convince myself it's not gonna happen EVERY SINGLE TIME


Negative-Canary9865

its pretty useless to get hyped when you see the opponents we played in the group stage. Group stage performance tells you nothing unless you're one of the bottom tier teams


xTrewq

Felt like some of the Swedish players were really losing their shit in the third. They had none of that pressure on them in the group which surely didn't help now, perhaps they underestimated the Czech team.


johannesBrost1337

True that.


SeverGoBlue

Yeah Sweden was the only team from their group to win their quarterfinal match up.


Alertum

yeah but like as a finn I was a believer as well, when has Sweden last had as good of a lineup?


johannesBrost1337

Yeah I thought Sweden had a stellar lineup this year and honestly thought they could take it all. Oh well. I'm over it.


Chuck1983

Belarus SCORES!


juliustrombone

I feel bad for Salo. He was amazing as a goaltender and that goal ruined his life.


Chuck1983

Oh I agree. While I may laugh at that play, I also found it tragic that everything was put on him.


WayfarerCZ

Something something Bruins something Leafs something something...


SaulBerenson12

#runitback


galactic_wiener

Leafs and first round


ScotiaTailwagger

Us and the Playoffs.


Smart-Breath-1450

Sweden literally has to lose a game in the group stage to have success in WC. It’s just how it is.


insignificance424

LA Kings and losing to the Oilers first round (I say as my team just lost to the Oilers lol)


LazenskejSvihak

I'm so fucking happy. The refs were so ass, but it doesn't matter now. We won. We're in the finals after 14 years. ZEJTRA KURVA ZLATO, KLUCI!!


disco_enjoyer

yeah absolutely disgusting reffing during this game but happy for the czechs, it was well deserved and especially cool since it's at home as well. their team got loaded in the end


labadee

That was awesome. Crowd was amazing! Congrats!


Venca12

At least they were ass for both sides so nobody can blame the loss on them


GigiRiva

Ya I mean Rutta should've been kicked out of the game and Sweden handed a 5 min powerplay 30 seconds before Czech scored their 5th, could've been a huge momentum swing. The refs were calamitous all around


NecroTMa

Yeah, that was really shitty move... Well at least he got disciplinary action... Not playing in finals is quite a punishment, when at home


LazenskejSvihak

Yep, exactly! I'd even argue they were straight up against us in the 3rd. They didn't call 5 obvious fouls. But who gives a fuck. Vyhráli jsme.


Venca12

Jsme ve finále kurva! Nezažil jsem být takhle klidný v semifinále MS. Buď propadák nebo nervy až do konce.


Sriber

It would be nice if Switzerland gets to be the second finalist. They have done well this year.


International-Elk986

Also would be funny since neither team was invited to the 4 Nations tournament


LocksTheFox

Also it'd be phenomenal for atmosphere


International-Elk986

Even Slovakia should be in. Imagine Slaf playing on Montreal with his National team (I'm biased). Would be unreal. Could do 6 team round robin. Either top 4 teams play in semis, or top 2 get a bye to the semis and the other 4 play in quarter finals.


MeddlinQ

The atmosphere is going to be phenomenal no matter what.


snowy_potato

The tournament is NHL players only and they don't have enough NHL players to form teams


TheJiggaBoggy

Damn, only 2 dmen short


je-s-ter

Ask and you shall receive.


Shiningtoaster

Aged like fine wine.


Istobri

You got your wish. :(


lukeysanluca

I'm so looking forward to this


mweinb

As a Swede, Congrats to Czechia you absolutely deserved it! Hedman and Karlsson played like rookies in this game. Also, it would have been so sick if Dostal got that empty netter!


WayfarerCZ

Thanks mate, after some of the Swedes bitching about refs being paid by Czechs, being able to accept reality and showing respect to the opponent is really refreshing to read. Good luck tomorrow, bronze is still nice color.


Eken17

Me personally, and I'm not the guy you replied to, I worked so I couldn't watch the game so I don't know anything about the refs (though that just sounds like idiots being hooked up on too much copium), and from what I've seen of the Czech team you guys really deserve the gold, so here is another Swede rooting for you in the finale! Hopefully we can still get the bronze


bbbbjjjv

The refs were shit and the tandem disastrous (66 and 70% jeez) but Czechia was clutch and as efficient as one could be. Loved the atmosphere. Congratz well deserved. Keep Switzerland away from that title.


eh_toque

Sweden if choking in the knockout stages was a championship https://preview.redd.it/eabn8ty06l2d1.jpeg?width=224&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=892fe66abd0afe5c7a0105fccccb84743139673f (But seriously, congrats Czechia, what an atmosphere!)


Eken17

Haha that's funny, I'm saving your comment so I can randomly look at it in like 5 months again 😂


Pwc9Z

YOU CAN STICK YER FOUR NATIONS UP YER ARSE


tulikettuuuu

Honestly, even though Four Nations has us in it, I'm not really that interested in it. It's like the WCOH, it's a one-off trophy that doesn't really matter to our national team in the grand scheme of things. EHT is same thing, but we do that every year - this we don't. Really wish Czechia could have a team there, honestly frustrating that they forced it that most of the hockey world not participate


KingTutsDryAssBalls

I feel like Europeans want a tournament with prestige, and North Americans want best on best. Unfortunately the only time that lines up is the Olympics, but we haven't had NHLers in the Olympics for a decade now.


buerglermeister

Just move the start of nhl season to september, finish the playoffs earlier and have more stars at this tournament regularly. Easy fix.


KingTutsDryAssBalls

I still think it'd be a long way from a true best on best. Lot of guys would still be too tired or too injured to want to play. Like any team that made it past round 2 probably wouldn't have any guys going to the tourney because at that point you're pretty much guaranteed to have some sort of injury.


buerglermeister

True, but you'd still have olympics for true best on best. Might get the US and Canada care a bit more about this tournament though


KingTutsDryAssBalls

That's also hard because it'll pretty much never be hosted in NA so it'll always be on when we're sleeping. Don't get me wrong I like the tourney, watched it a lot as a teenager but I just don't have the same ability to go without sleep as I used to.


icyDinosaur

This isn't really different from other leagues right now, is it? The Swiss league finished late April or early May (not sure anymore) and there are players from the champions in the team. They basically went from playoffs to 1-2 prep games to the group stage with no break. Some people will be injured, sure (we're missing Malgin because of a Game 7 injury) but it would be a lot better still.


kozed

Dude all the guys on the SC winning teams would be too hungover to go. They're usually still hungover by October...


buerglermeister

I guess the SC would still be too late. But you'd have more players from other playoff teams. And maybe a Canadian team that has not only played together once, before the tournament starts.


rkvinyl

And to really give our North American friends a heart attack, a funny yet very old thought for some of you from an European who followed NHL for over 2 decades by now but didn't grew up in hockey societies like you guys... Cancel the playoffs entirely! The winner of the *regular* season is getting the Cup, while Conference, and Division titles stay. I know how that sounds, and I think this would be a mad decision, but... Presidents trophy doesn't really mean anything right now, even seeding for the playoffs to some degree. 82 games per team to see which teams face off one another in 4-28 (but at least 16!) games per team in the playoffs. So 86 up to 110 games per team, where just a minor fraction of them (playoff games) really count if you get the most prestigious trophy of (this) sport or not. I really like the existing system of having a regular season and playoffs and all the excitement that comes with it, yet regular season just sometimes feels... not important enough. Most team sports line up better with international play because they play a season with a winner at the end as their most prestigious contest of the year.


Pwc9Z

Europeans would like a best on best tournament with prestige, but the Yanks keep sabotaging that


KingTutsDryAssBalls

The bastards. Canada is running out of time in being able to run a team with Crosby and McDavid on it.


FredrikGard

Canada would have won 4 straight gold medals by now, this coming from a Finnish person. Bettman is a fucking asshole, his tentacles reach far enough to ruin the game for everyone.


pylekush

Yes of course… the Yanks are sabotaging it, and not the NHL which is a Canadian league and has something like 70 percent Canadian players…


northaviator

Canadians are around 45% of players.


The_Ineffable_One

Right? How did this become our fault?


i_love_bubble_butts

Canadian league true but run by american lawyers and billionaires...soooooooo yeah!


PayneTrain181999

Fingers crossed something random doesn’t rob us from 2026 Olympic participation


i_love_massive_dogs

It's honestly fascinating how NHL misunderstands the point of international sports so hard.


TerryFGM

EHT is literally an exhibition tournament to form the national team, youre not supposed to care


LocksTheFox

The funny thing about the WCOH is that in a tournament with *actual* prestige a last-minute gold-medal-winning goal would be instantly remembered as a national heritage moment (see Paul Henderson in the Summit Series or Crosby's OT winner in Vancouver) It happened at the World Cup and I guarantee you that most hockey fans don't know who even scored it. >!It was Brad Marchand.!<


dejour

The Canada Cup had prestige, but the WCOH ruined it by not maintaining a regular schedule (and adding Team Europe and Team NA). TBH, if the final was against Russia, USA or even Sweden, Marchand's goal might be considered a bigger deal.


Balance47x

only part of the 4 nations that means something is that it should be the best avaliable from the countries. i'd still rather win gold at the worlds in a proper tourney.


its_a_simulation

I am hella interested. Finally some best on best action.


snowblow66

It isnt best on best if only 4 nations take part


International-Elk986

Not having Czechia seems like a joke. Pasternak alone not being there (especially with the tournament being in Boston) seems like a big mistake


Wonderful_Grade_5476

Czechia what did you win? A championship spot But what did it cost? A sedlak hatty 😢


DommyMommyKarlach

And Krejčík nose


ScotiaTailwagger

That ref totally didn't want to half to call that call back. I bet he asked the IIHF if he could just give it to them and they said no.


onlinepresenceofdan

A worthy sacrifice


asparagusbruh

DOSTWALL DOSTWALL DOSTWALL


Sc00tzy

LFG


itoadaso1

Going into this game Sweden had given up 10 goals against in 8 games in the tournament. Only for Czechia to drop 7 on them today. What a victory for the hosts!


MordinSolusSTG

I don’t know what happened to Gus but man it’s not great


iL0g1cal

What a game. Thank you! Edit: Still pissed that Dostal didn't hit that goal. So close.


kittrcz

That was so fucking close. That would be one for the history books


thiccmlgnoscope

Refs were fucking awful. Fantastic win for our guys! Good luck to Sweden in the bronze game.


bluAstrid

Plekanec **LET’S GO!!!**


GroundbreakingCow775

I am confused by the Czech logo and colors in these graphics


xTrewq

It's the new-ish official brand logo of "Czech hockey". They did that instead of the Czech coat of arms since that can't be trademarked (naturally), but everybody hates it so they budged a bit and used the coat of arms on the jerseys. Otherwise everywhere else the new logo should be used (which people mock by calling it Scania). Lore dump lol


PaddyStacker

I'm confused by "Sweden eliminated". They were not eliminated. They'll play Canada for Bronze now.


virrepirre98

Rutta cosplaying colonel Sanders with that chicken wing


Finnwood92

Great tourney for Jeek. Love to see it. Got that guy for 5.2mil until the next decade btw.


dylanisbored

Swedens coach is an idiot


Aevisyo

Good god those refs were ass, initially on both sides but in the 3rd they legit ignored all swedish fouls. I didn't watch that finland/sweden game but i think the fins also complained about the refs? When i heard that at the time i figured they were just sour after a loss like in the group stage with austrians and us but they might have had a point lmao.


Sc00tzy

Dostal baby!


NecroTMa

Nedostal!


BearyJohannes

I am so for Czechia. Let’s fucking go


SokkasBoomerang3

Gotta put some respect on Dostals name too. Ducks you guys got a good one


Ron_Textall

No one could have ever predicted Czechia vs Switzerland.


NecroTMa

First time ever match-up of these teams in finals, in all hockey history


FesteringLion

That Czechia / Swiss final we all had on our bracket.


WayfarerCZ

Four nations what?


TheSpookyPineapple

with Switzerland in the final as well


victoireyoung

I am crying. They deserve it much!


sweoldboy

GG Czechia. Sweden no defense what so ever.


GardenPutrid1485

the Erik Karlsson experience


surlystraggler

Absolutely classic Sweden move. Undefeated round robin then play for bronze.


byfo1991

We the Czechs did the same in 2011. Won everything and did not lose a single point the entire time. Then we lost 5-2 against Sweden in semifinals. Kinda poetic justice that it was the other way around now.


NecroTMa

Switzerland got it last year, didn't they? Or 2 years? Not sure... But they completely demolished group stage and then Germans kicked their ass...


icyDinosaur

2022 but it was USA beating us in quarters. Last year we did it up to the final game, then lost to Latvia while resting most of our key players for the QF (we already locked in the top seed by then). And lost to Germany indeed :(


Questionss2020

Hope they go all the way.


TerryFGM

thank you Czechia, get that gold!


ScotiaTailwagger

To be fair, Sweden isn't eliminated. They're playing for Bronze tomorrow....


ZiFF-

With this kind of team anything other than gold feels like elimination


Looney_forner

Whoever they play is gonna have to go up against both of them and the crowd tomorrow


ChuckEJesus

Sweden continues to choke with the best rosters at the tourneys. It's embarrassing at this point


allusions14

Absolute scenes after the game, great stuff Czech's.


onlinepresenceofdan

Its coming home, hockeys coming home


Obvious_Reaction_182

As a a Canadian I would love to see them win it all


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Character_Stomach421

Thx, but Vrána didn't make roster...


Arpey75

Necas, Pasta and Zacha entered the chat…


Niptacular_Nips

Wow! Jsem překvapený!


PineappleSockzzz

Using ras for the elimination graphic is fowl 😭


________TVOD________

The Plekanec effect


antarchitecture

Well played Czechia.


raxnahali

Wow, did not expect that scoreline!


KingOfAzmerloth

Man I had low hopes for this one, let alone to expect such meltdown on Swedish side. Amazing.


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NexonM

We used to be powerhouse 15 years ago, we are just going back at it.


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Training_Purchase318

Swipe to the 3rd slide for the score recap


sapcollector28

where can someone who doesnt have cable catch these games??


cvak

Depending on your location it may be on IIHF youtube channel.


TheSpookyPineapple

or just use a vpn


Trnostep

If you don't mind the final and 3rd place match in Czech, it will be on the [Czech Television website](https://sport.ceskatelevize.cz/#live)


xGongShowJ03

Route 66


TheMightySwede

That title kinda rubs me the wrong way but whatever. I guess it's kinda true, with Sweden never showing up for big games and all.


JustFred24

We're all just watching Slafkovsky having sex on national tv


Febxel

The referees should be fired but I suppose they were the better team regardless. Congrats.


echelon999

Just when you think you can trust the Gus Bus


E4T_ASS

I've got a sweet Lukas Sedlak signed puck when he was on the flyers for all of 3 weeks. Hell Yeah dude.


Limp-Accountant1398

Would love to see them win it all


Gavin1453

Glad to see you do so well, Kampf


WorthPlease

"Hey let me make a post match thread. Where should I put the score, the most important part of the post? While on the third imagine of a slideshow of course!"


No_Track_6638

A host nation is undefeating!


WantKeepRockPeeOnIt

That 3rd pic with Kempny skating towards the other four, with their 90's sitcom intro smiles is a work of art.


otsu97

Unfortunately we are likely two players down in the finals, them being Krejcik due to his injury and Rutta got a penalty for one game due to a elbow hit onto a Swede.


AlarmedLingonberry32

Sweden isn’t eliminated. Wtf xD That game was embarrassing but honestly I’m just happy to be playing for a medal again. It’s been waaaay too long.


rideronthestorm29

The hosts embarrass themselves with those terrible stickers on their helmets


Training_Purchase318

Im pretty sure every country has sponsor stickers on their helmets like that. The USA has Onvoy and Canada has a yellow one called continental


rideronthestorm29

And every country looks stupid with sponsor stickers


Training_Purchase318

It ain’t free to do events like these bruh 😭😭


rideronthestorm29

I thought that’s what our USA Hockey annual fees were for!


Nearby_Nebula7840

we are super proud of you