BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Team Canada is right where they want to be heading into the second game of the World Junior Hockey Championship.
The Canadians passed their first test against the Russians with a convincing 6-3 victory. Team Canada used a blend of grit and skill to dismantle the underrated Russians in the thrilling opening game of the tournament for both teams. Now the Canadians are in the driver’s seat with the next two games against weaker opponents in the Czech Republic and Norway.
The Czechs opened the tournament with a modest 2-0 victory over Norway on Monday night. The Czech Republic outplayed the Norwegians, but ran into a hot goaltender in Norway’s Steffen Soberg.
Canada will have the benefit of rest after a day off while the Czechs will be playing their second game in less than 24 hours.
Will Canada respect the Czechs?
Team Canada head coach Dave Cameron preached the importance of respecting each team in the tournament. The Czechs and Norwegians are considered the weak links in the group, and Canada won’t likely need their best performance to beat either. But a team can get itself in trouble by developing bad habits by looking too far ahead and past opponents.
Regardless of the circumstances, each team always prepares its best game against the Canadians. Since Canada is always considered a favourite to win this tournament, the Czechs will be anxious to provide an upset and measure themselves against an elite team. Any lull or lack of intensity will not be tolerated by the coaching staff, as bad habits can produce negative short-term effects in a short tournament.
Can the Czech Republic’s forecheck create chances?
Perhaps the biggest strength the Czechs have is in their forecheck and intensity. The 2-0 win over Norway is deceiving in that it wasn’t a blowout, but the Czechs dominated the game and owned the wall.
This isn’t the same type of flashy Czech team that has been stereotypical of past teams. This group loves to forecheck hard and creates pressure on the puck-carrier. It was an effective game-plan against a weaker opponent in Norway, and it remains to be seen if that same approach can produce positive results against the Canadians.
Can the Czechs answer the physical toll?
This year’s Czech team likes to throw the body and finish each check along the wall. They aren’t as big or as intimidating as the Canadians, but they do play a style more similar to a North American team than that of a European nation. The players’ style should not come as a big surprise since eight of the 21 players play in the Canadian Hockey League.
Their systems are more geared towards a gritty, dump-and-chase style rather than one of finesse and creativity. Their ability to play this way might give them a fighting chance despite having less talent. While they don’t have the high-profile offensive players that others boast, they can still score. Antonin Honejsek’s individual rush while on the penalty kill for his team’s second goal in the win over Norway is an early candidate for goal of the tournament.
Will Olivier Roy assert himself as the No. 1 goaltender?
It’s not a stretch to say the starting job could be up for grabs, if Roy isn’t up to the test against the Czechs. While he wasn’t poor in that game, his performance wasn’t overwhelming, either. Roy gave up a few soft goals in the win over the Russians and has had bouts of inconsistency in league play this season.
Cameron said the team still had confidence in Roy after the game and is giving him the vote of confidence, with another start against the Czech Republic. Cameron also said Mark Visentin would start a game, which is believed to be the following game against the Norwegians on Wednesday.
There’s no question when Roy is on his game, he can be nearly unbeatable. He has a confident, unflappable demeanor that exudes confidence in the rest of his team. Whether or not he’s able to find that swagger remains to be seen.
Can Czech goaltender Marek Mazanec give his team a chance to win?
Mazanec looked great backstopping the Czechs in a shutout victory over the Norwegians on Monday, but will be in for a bigger test against the Canadians. Mazanec didn’t face a lot of quality scoring chances, but looked strong whenever he was called upon. The south paw appears confident and his positioning is strong.
But there’s a broad gap between the depths of talent he will face when going up against Canada, as opposed to Norway. Mazanec acquitted himself well against Norway and maintained strong mental focus in a game where he faced infrequent shots. It might not be as easy battling against a stronger team with a decidedly hometown advantage.
