Czech List Interviews NHL Prospects Vrána, Pastrňák, Mašín [VIDEO]
Jakub Vrana, David Pastrnak, Philip Pyrochta (Photo by Amy Simpson | Rocket Sports Media)
LAKE PLACID, NY. — The Czechs were late and the Americans weren’t happy; a 1:00 pm. game turned into a 5:30 pm. start due to a scheduling mix up. When the game finally began both teams looked like they would rather be anywhere else. But it was Team USA who finished the tournament strong with a 3-0 victory.
The Czech Republic junior squad was taking part in two August tourneys, Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Development Camp in Montreal and the USA National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, New York. The camps were the first step in the selection process for the 2015 World Junior Championships and provided the first opportunity to see potential members of the Czech team play together. The Czechs concluded the week with a combined 1-3 record on both sides of the border.
In Lake Placid, the Czech team started the game in a spirited manner buoyed by a 5-2 win over Team Canada the day before. Defenseman Marek Baránek was particularly feisty tackling Winnipeg Jets prospect Chase De Leo early in the game. Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Dominik Mašín was all over the ice engaging Team USA forwards.
The evenly played first period ended with the Czech squad down 1-0 on a goal from Chicago Blackhawks prospect Tyler Motte. Shots on goal were 10-9 for the Americans.
There was no scoring in second frame but the period belonged to Team USA who out shot the Czechs 12-3. The highlight from a Czech perspective was defenseman David Němeček delivering a huge hit on Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Sonny Milano.
Miroslav Svoboda (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
Czech goaltender Miroslav Svoboda was very entertaining to watch during the game. As far as technique, he played rather deep but showed off a good glove hand on occasion. However, it was his personality that stood out being very vocal throughout the game. Svoboda was constantly chirping teammates, opponents and officials often lifting his mask during stoppages to do so.
The Americans continued their domination in the third period once again out-shooting the Czechs 12-3 for a three period total of 34-15. Team USA goals from De Leo and Chicago Blackhawks pick John Hayden in the third resulted in the 3-0 final.
Following the game, The Czech List conducted exclusive interviews with Jakub Vrána, David Pastrňák, Dominik Mašín and David Michel (in English and Czech.) Please watch in the player below.
CZECH REPUBLIC U20 Team
Goaltenders (2):
Vitek Vanecek, Bili Tygri Liberec
Miroslav Svoboda, Ocelari Trinec
Defencemen (7):
David Nemecek, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Lukas Klok, Vitkovice Ostrava
Filip Pyrochta, Bili Tygri Liberec
Tomas Dvorak, Energie Karlovy Vary
Dominik Masin, Slavia Prague
Marek Baranek, HC Litvinov
Robert Cerny, Pirati Chomutov
Forwards (13):
David Pastrnak, Sodertalje SK (SWE)
Jakub Vrana, Linkopings HC (SWE)
Ondrej Kase, Pirati Chomutov
David Kampf, Pirati Chomutov
Jan Mandat, Tigres de Victoriaville (QMJHL)
David Tomasek, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
Patrik Zdrahal, Vitkovice Ostrava
Marek Ruzicka, Ocelari Trinec
Sebastian Gorcik, Energie Karlovy Vary
Lubos Rob, HC Ceske Budejovice
Dominik Pokorny, Kometa Brno
David Michel, HC Plzen
Ondrej Kopta, HC Plzen
