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It wasn’t a game with a whole lot of offence, but the Czechs did have more chances, outshooting the Slovaks 24-14 in regulation time. The real story, though, was the crowd, as Czechs and Slovaks tried to outduel each other all night long in support of their respective teams.
With 2:28 left in the third period, the Czechs were given a golden chance to win it when Pavol Blahut was given a double minor for high-sticking. They put on good pressure in the first half of it and got some shots on Petrik, but with 18 seconds left in regulation the Czechs were called for having too many players in the rink, which negated the rest of their power play.
In overtime, both teams had chances on the power play. The Slovaks had several shots on Heczko when Radim Stepanik was sent off for high-sticking, but the Czechs had maybe the best chance to score of the whole game after Radovan Zelenka was called for hooking with just 16 seconds left in overtime. After the faceoff win, Jan Bacovsky fired a slapshot from the point off the crossbar, which left everyone in the building wondering how much more they could take. But there’d be more drama in the shootout.
Through five rounds, each team scored twice, extending it to a sixth and then a seventh. Slovakia’s Patrik Svitava scored, meaning that Stepanik would have to answer for the Czechs to extend it to an eighth round. But he couldn’t - denied by Petrik, who pumped his fist after his game-ending save before he was mobbed by his teammates rushing from the bench.
The numerous Slovaks in attendance exploded in cheering, which didn’t let up until their national anthem had finished playing, after which they went out into the streets of Pardubice to keep celebrating on a Friday night. They hope for one more reason to celebrate on Saturday.
Reactions
Jozef Ïuriš (head coach, Team Slovakia): I have to say that this game was an ode to ball hockey. Great teams and great fans, whether Czech or Slovak. That was this sport as it’s finest, but only one team can win. It wasn’t that we were better, but we were luckier.
Drahomír Kadlec (head coach, Team Czech republic): I think that both teams played great ball hockey on the world’s biggest stage. Games like this don’t happen every day. I have to thank the fans for the fantastic atmosphere they created. Only one team can win - that’s the way it is, unfortunately. I congratulate the Slovaks and wish them all the best tomorrow in the game against Canada, in order to keep the title at home, in Europe.
