First five
ydlicki - Caslav, Sikora - Glinka - Vyborny
Despite the fact that this link has not practically changed, there are many complaints against it. Forwards declared a strike after a game with the Americans. The defenders, on the contrary, score regularly (they have three goals), but they can’t cope with direct duties. In a match with Canadians, three of the four goals were conceded when Marek idlicki and Petr Caslav were on the ice.
Second five
Mikhalek - Barinka, Irgl - Plekanets - Olesh
It is possible that Rostislav Klesla, the author of one of the two goals against the Slovaks, will appear in a pair with Zbynek Mikhalek. This combination has already been played in a number of matches. The best scorers of the team - Olesh and Plecanets - can move to the first link, or get in the teammates of Peter Tenkrat instead of Zbynek Irgl.
Third five
Gamr - Klesla (Schmid), Bednarg - Marek - Tenkrat
Unlike the first two links, the third and fourth are composed very conditionally. Gadamchik managed to try so many combinations that the head goes around. So far, however, a little sense. The leader of Magnitogorsk “Metallurg” Jan Marek scored two goals at the start, and then only assisted. Ex-striker of the “Vanguard” Yaroslav Bednarzh organized a winning puck into the gates of the Americans, and then tried his hand at the fourth link.
Fourth five
Paid, Rolinek - Gubachek - Novotny - Chayanek (Balashtik)
CSKA defender Jan Platil plays in tandem with whoever will have to, or does not play at all, as in the match with Canadians. As for the attackers, they so far do not please either abandoned washers or meaningful attacks. They appear on ice not so often and are mainly focused on defense.
Goalkeeper
Roman Chekhmanek
He confidently spent all six matches. The 36-year-old goalkeeper acted without visible disruptions and errors, especially in key episodes. However, Chekhmanek is famous for the fact that he can yawn a long throw or just approach the game in a bad mood. A worthy replacement is not visible: Marek Pinz from the Swiss Biel spent only 23 seconds on the ice and managed to miss the puck.
Star
Tomas Plecanets
Forward “Montreal”, probably the only one from the whole team who did not deserve serious reproaches. On his account four goals and the same number of assists and the best indicator of utility (+3). Trumps Plecanets - high speed, excellent wrist throw and indefatigable desire to play sharply on the spot. Organically interacts with another Enkhael striker - Rostislav Oles from Florida.
Special brigades
The Czechs scored almost half of the pucks (11 of 23) in unequal compositions. In recent matches, Gadamchyk has released one of the defenders --ydlicki or Caslav, who have powerful shots, and mixed combinations of forwards to sell the extra player. In the minority, Czechs kill time very successfully (four goals out of fifteen). Most often the first link is on ice, with the exception of Sikora.
Summary
The Czech national team approached the quarterfinal with luggage in three defeats. The first stage famously slipped through, defeating the Belarusians and the Austrians, and then defeating the US team, which was very attractive in this tournament. Problems began in the qualification round. In the first match, the Czechs buried themselves in the organized defense of the German team. Although this is still a question of what was more in that match - German organization or Czech disorder.
The defeat from the Slovaks put the Czechs on the brink of early departure from Moscow. The Czechs were able to take the point necessary for reaching the quarterfinals, losing to the Canadians in overtime. Or maybe the founders of hockey themselves allowed them this - now it doesn’t matter.
The head coach of the Czech team Alois Gadamczyk, trying to correct the situation, began to randomly shuffle the composition. In the last match with the Canadians, he broke the strike link of Vyborny - Glinka - Sikor, in another combination left Plecanets and Olesha together, but deprived them of their usual partner - Irgl. The whole team is now in search of stability and a lost matching game. Which, however, does not make the Czech team a less dangerous opponent. She repeatedly proved that she can get into the playoffs.
The Czechs suffered three defeats in a row, but tragedies do not. Last year at the World Championships in Riga, they also finished fourth in the group, but eventually reached the finals, knocking out just the Russian team on the way. All problems of the team are solved, especially in a single match. The Czechs have someone to score, and even tie the hands of the Russian strikers, they have always been great masters.