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Czech Republic Headed to Quarter-finals With Win Over Germany at 2015 World Championships

They’re going to the quarter-finals.

With a hard-fought 4-2 win over Germany the Czech Republic earned the chance to compete for a spot on the podium.

“I think we’re getting better every game,” said Jakub Voracek in a post-game interview with an IIHF reporter. “We didn’t have the start we wanted, but we worked hard for the full game and deserved to win.”

Daniel Pietta opened up the scoring for Germany on a near breakaway with Czech Republic defenseman Petr Caslava attempting to make a last second save. Pietta still found a way to get the puck behind Czech goaltender Ondrej Pavelec who just missed getting his left pad out in time to make the save. 

The Czech Republic would tie the game six minutes later after a Jakub Nakladal shot from the point took a crazy bounce off of German netminder Timo Pielmeier, German defenseman Patrick Koppchen, and finally off of Michal Vondkra’s leg to tie the game at one. 

The Czechs would find themselves battling from behind again as the Michael Wolf capitalized on a beautiful two-on-one chance for Germany thanks to a slick pass under pressure from Tobias Rieder to put Germany up 2-1. 

Just over two minutes later, the Czechs would get the equalizer, a wrister from Petr Koukal courtesy of a perfect screen by Martin Zatovic. 

With Kai Hospetl taking a tripping penalty, it was time for Czech superstar Jakub Voracek to shine on the powerplay with a beautiful five-hole shot to put the Czech Republic up 3-2. 

Not to be outshined, Jaromir Jagr added another with a quick shot off of a face-off to put the Czech Republic 4-2 and punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

Czech Republic head coach Vladimir Ruzicka has been stressing shooting ever since the club’s 6-3 loss to Canada. The Czechs outshot Germany 38-14, with Germany never recording more than six shots in a period.

The Czechs face Switzerland for their final preliminary matchup on Tuesday.

Joseph Guzy

Joseph Guzy

Studying multimedia journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.
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