WC: May 1 GDT - Switzerland vs. Czech Rep.

Match: Switzerland vs. Czech Republic

Official Website: http://www.ihwc.net/english/
Online Statistics & Rosters: http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments_05/output/ws/hydra.iihf.com/IIHF_Core/jsp/content/web_output/index.jsp@compId=1000000009

3-1czech

3-1 Czech as well

Aebischer or Gerber starting?

Aebischer or Gerber starting?

Unknown, but probably it will be Gerber :shakehead . He is the favourite goalkeeper of Krüger(Coach)

Okay, easier win for the Czechs then.

Gerber is the obvious choice. Aebischer is the most overrated hockey player in the world anyway.

2-1 Czechia

Didn't Aebischer have a poor season? If so, then Gerber should be the obvious choice.

I say Switzerland wins this 3-2. ;)

Gerber is crap.
He should focus more on the play than on handing out tremendously hard slashes all the time.

Gerber is crap.
He should focus more on the play than on handing out tremendously hard slashes all the time.

Huh?
Hmm... Maybe you just hate Färjestad. ;)

I predicted close games on opening night, and that's what happened. But today will be the day of blow outs.

Prediction: 6-1 Czech Republic

The defensemen alone will score more points than the Swiss: Zidlicky, Kaberle, and Kubina will get points.

Huh?
Hmm... Maybe you just hate Färjestad. ;)

I do, but it's still a fact that he's wasting too much energy on slashing and hitting players in front of his net.

He is a pretty good keeper, but not as good as Aebi. Gerber leaks 5-hole, I've never seen a SEL-goalie let that many pucks in between his legs.

Aebischer has so many weaknesses, he's nowhere near Gerber when he doesn't have a top 5 NHL team in front of him

I do, but it's still a fact that he's wasting too much energy on slashing and hitting players in front of his net.

He is a pretty good keeper, but not as good as Aebi. Gerber leaks 5-hole, I've never seen a SEL-goalie let that many pucks in between his legs.

Also, he let out to many rebounds. Aebisher is way better.

You really want to use the rebound argument in favour of Aebischer ? Gerber may be below average in that aspect of the game, but he's nowhere near as bad as Aebischer.

But Aebischer had a poor season. He often was a backup in the league and he was a backup for Sparta Prague during the Spengler Cup. Gerber played solid, Aebischer not (this year]. So Gerber is the obvious choice IMO...

You really want to use the rebound argument in favour of Aebischer ? Gerber may be below average in that aspect of the game, but he's nowhere near as bad as Aebischer.

okay, I haven't seen Aebischer this season so I don't know how bad he is right now. But When I've seen him in NHL he has been pretty good imo

okay, I haven't seen Aebischer this season so I don't know how bad he is right now. But When I've seen him in NHL he has been pretty good imo

I agree, even though he's had a very solid defense in front of him. Gerber had perhaps the best defense in the SEL this season, and still he looked shaky and let easy goals in.

There seem to be some czech fans in the building :D

I didn't expect boos when the swiss team stepped on the ice.

Well, I hope the czech will handle their "home ice advantage" as well as in last year's quarter final :D

i expect a tough game with swiss defence and czech victory
shots: 40 : 15 Czechs
score: 3:1 Czechs

Prospal with an 'A' for Czechia :O

Aebischer is definitively better than this Gerber a..

Switzerland's line up :

Gerber

Keller - Streit
Seger - Forster
Bezina - Blindenbacher
Vauclair

DiPietro - Plüss - Della Rossa
Rüthemann - Ziegler - Paterlini
Fischer - Jeannin - Wichser
Ambühl - Conne - Lemm
Romy

If anyone watching the game could pay attention to Mark Streit us Hab fans would really appreciate it, interested to see how he fares in this tournament :)

LOL. Vauclair doesn't seem to like the goalie his coach has chosen either :D he runs gerber.

Switzerland is badly outplayed so far

Switzerland is badly outplayed so far
yea, czechs play fast and precise. but just a few shots so far on gerbers goal.

The Czech Republic are playing a great team game: bring the puck in, opting to pass to the point when clear in the circle, working along the boards, behind the net, dumping and forechecking where needed, parking in the crease, shots from defensemen at the point on screens, cycling down low, everything!

I saw Slovakia do it a little late in their game, and the Finns did it throughout their third period, Russia didn't get it together, Canada was all over the place.

But already the Czech republiuc look like a coherent squad: a team!

Propal scores on the power play after a poor clearing attempt by Keller

strong powerplay by the czech team. prospal scores on his former team mate gerber.

The Czech Republic are playing a great team game: bring the puck in, opting to pass to the point when clear in the circle, working along the boards, behind the net, dumping and forechecking where needed, parking in the crease, shots from defensemen at the point on screens, cycling down low, everything!

I saw Slovakia do it a little late in their game, and the Finns did it throughout their third period, Russia didn't get it together, Canada was all over the place.

But already the Czech republiuc look like a coherent squad: a team!

I agree, yesterday's russian team should watch this game

Switzerland has big problems on defense so far. They are always too late, can't keep up and start holding and hooking already...

Blindenbacher off for holding. Next powerplay for the czech team.

Jagr on the power play, again after a missed clearance

:amazed: strong czech team so far. the swiss defenseman and powerplay killers are unable to clear the puck and jagr scores for 2-0...

hop Gerber 7 shots 2 goals. Switzerland has no chance.

great shot by jagr :amazed:

First save by Vokoun after 10 minutes

2-1, Blindenbacher on a one timer from the blue line after a good power play by Switzerland. Vokoun should have saved that one, though

oops. vokouns five-hole is too big :D

The refs is probably an hfboards reader as he called a diving penalty against Straka

is sykora so fast or are the swiss defenseman so slow?

Vokoun doesn't look good so far. Maybe the swiss players should try and shoot more often...

If anyone watching the game could pay attention to Mark Streit us Hab fans would really appreciate it, interested to see how he fares in this tournament :)

Streit just made three consecutive nice plays. First he a great slap shot from the blue line after some good blocking by his teammates, then a dived to break a two on one chance after his fellow defenseman turned the puck over at the blueline, then he immediately went back on his skates and fires a perfect 30m pass.

Streit just made three consecutive nice plays. First he a great slap shot from the blue line after some good blocking by his teammates, then a dived to break a two on one chance after his fellow defenseman turned the puck over at the blueline, then he immediately went back on his skates and fires a perfect 30m pass.
agreed. he and paul dipietro look good so far for swiss team...

is sykora so fast or are the swiss defenseman so slow?

The best way to describe Bezina is "poor man's Eric Cairns", which means that you can except some nice body check from him, but not much skating, and be ready to cover your eyes if he ever tries to handle the puck

I was going to post something about the referee being good so far, but he just called a penalty after an obvious dive. Czech on the power play

End of the first period, 1'02 left in the power play

After 10-15 minutes the swiss team finally got into his own and doesn't look too bad since then. but the czech team plays really strong. fast and acurate passing, good skating and good backchecking...

Exactly, the czech are doing everything the russian didn't do yesterday. Switzerland was badly outplayed early, but that unexpected power play goal gave them some confidence back. An upset is not out of question, but the way the czech play, it's highly unlikely.

Thanks guys anything else you notice be it positive or negative its great to hear! I hope he can become something good for the Habs :D

First Czech goal 5-HOLE :handclap:

First Czech goal 5-HOLE :handclap:

surprise surprise :biglaugh:

He shoulda stopped Jagrs shot too. He had great sight, so why didn't he? :snide:

First Czech goal 5-HOLE :handclap:

Well, you can't blame Gerber for that one, Prospal had way too much room and made a nice deke

Well, you can't blame Gerber for that one, Prospal had way too much room and made a nice deke

Couldn't he have just used the stick? :snide:

Obviously, but not many goalies would have saved that one

Obviously, but not many goalies would have saved that one

maybe, maybe not

Well, you can't blame Gerber for that one, Prospal had way too much room and made a nice deke

blabla, I hate this fact in switzerland, if abby make one mistake(olympia2002)all the critic is over him and when gerber play ******** he is although the hero. :shakehead

maybe, maybe not

We'll never know, but you have to give credit to Prospal



blabla, I hate this fact in switzerland, if abby make one mistake(olympia2002)all the critic is over him and when gerber play ******** he is although the hero.

Are you kiding ? Aebischer is always praised, despite failing to be convincing for any other team than Colorado. It seems that you just can't say anything bad about him.

We'll never know, but you have to give credit to Prospal





Are you kiding ? Aebischer is always praised, despite failing to be convincing for any other team than Colorado. It seems that you just can't say anything bad about him.

yeah Prospal did that nice...but I'm just saying that both those goals were goals that he could've possibly saved. Its another thing if you get a slaper from blueline with no sight wich get directed or something. I don't know if Abby whould've done it better though.

Again, strong start by the czech, but the swiss are now playing better. Still, they leave too much space to the czech, who have way to much time to shoot.

it goes so-so for switzerland again. some good actions followed by something dumb... if they could consistently play concentrated they could do some damage...

yeah Prospal did that nice...but I'm just saying that both those goals were goals that he could've possibly saved. Its another thing if you get a slaper from blueline with no sight wich get directed or something. I don't know if Abby whould've done it better though.

I agree that both goals were not impossible to save, but on the other hand they wouldn't have been easy saves for any goalie.

Good defensive play by Streit on a one on one against Jagr, he didn't fell for the deke and forced Jagr to send a weak shot.

Is Marcel Jenni injured?

Did Julien Sprunger get any consideration to make the team?

I agree that both goals were not impossible to save, but on the other hand they wouldn't have been easy saves for any goalie.
I agree, winnie had all the time in the world and Jagr has a good wrister.

Switzerland should score to make the game alive again.

Jenni got an head and a back injury during the SEL final. He still tried to play in the exhibitions against Finland, but finally decided to withdraw. Sprunger is not ready yet and never got any consideration.

Is Marcel Jenni injured?

Did Julien Sprunger get any consideration to make the team?

Yes, Jenni is injured and Sprunger is a big talent(for me the best swiss forward talent) and made great season in switzerland with 20 points(11 goals), but is not already prepared for a wc. Maybe in 2 years he will be there...

Ive been watching the US game, how is cajanek looking?

nice move by wichser...

Why, ho why should that breakaway opportunity be for Bezina :banghead:

Oh no! You just gotta score..

Ive been watching the US game, how is cajanek looking?

He plays not bad, with 2 or 3 good moments.

Why, ho why should that breakaway opportunity be for Bezina :banghead:

Why not? Normally Bezina make a goal.

Why not? Normally Bezina make a goal.
Bezina only scores with slapshot from the blue line. It takes some skills to convert a breakaway, which usually isn't the strength of a hard hitting defenseman.


End of the second period. Czech started strong again, but Switzerland played better at the end and had some chances to tie the game. Overall, this period was more balanced than the first and a one goal lead for the czech is a logical score so far.

End of the second period. Czech started strong again, but Switzerland played better at the end and had some chances to tie the game. Overall, this period was more balanced than the first and a one goal lead for the czech is a logical score so far.

Really like the line with Sykora, Vyborny and Varada. They're really good and shows chemistry. Vyborny is the brain, Sykora the sniper and Varada the grinder.

Good save from Gerber again.

Great chance for Switzerland, but it was a perfect summary of Wichser's season : he skates and skates and skates and skates and doesn't score

Wichers plays a good game. he is patient and confident with the puck. he and plüss are the best forwards for the swiss team now...

on the other hand for the czech team prucha and hemsky are the weakest forwards. they just can't cope with the tight checking...

3-1, 4th power play goal of the game after a questionnable penalty. Gerber should have saved that one

Gerber leaves the crease way to often. the czechs are just waiting for that...

Some nice play by Switzerland, but they once again have trouble scoring

How is Mark Streit looking so far?

To the Habs fans: I'm wondering how you can expect so much from the offensive skills of Mark Streit. This guy produced 50% less than Randy Robitaille in the Swiss League ... I only watched the 3rd period of this game and I haven't seen too much from him, so I can't comment on his performance today. But where does all the hype comme from?

How is Mark Streit looking so far?
I'd say there is more negative than positive in this game. he has had made some good passes in the offensive zone during the powerplay. but more often he has turned over the puck or failed to clear it from his own zone...

How is Mark Streit looking so far?

He was very sound defensively, never got beaten on one on ones, and had a good game carrying the puck out of the defensive zone and making good breakout pass. He wasn't as much offensively involved as usual, but the main reason for that is the high caliber of the opponent. I'd say that compared to last year's tournament, he's stronger on his legs and less prone at looking at the puck instead of playing his man. I guess any Montréal scout watching this game was pleased by what he saw.

To the Habs fans: I'm wondering how you can expect so much from the offensive skills of Mark Streit. This guy produced 50% less than Randy Robitaille in the Swiss League ... I only watched the 3rd period of this game and I haven't seen too much from him, so I can't comment on his performance today. But where does all the hype comme from?

Huh? Do you atleast know he's a defenceman?

He finished third in points on his team, that's impressive(considering that Robitaille already played a fair amount of NHL games).He had 43 points and Robitaille 67.That's not 50% less.Anyways, he impressed a lot of people and I can't wait to see what he'll do in higher levels.He seems to be a solid defenceman.

Thanx for all the info on Streit guys.

I'd say there is more negative than positive in this game. he has had made some good passes in the offensive zone during the powerplay. but more often he has turned over the puck or failed to clear it from his own zone...

As you can't see with my above post, I don't agree with you about this. He surely was not as involved as usual in the offensive zone, but the czech deserve creadit for not letting the swiss defensemen quarterback the play. And I think he was good at clearing the zone, compared to Keller, Blindenbacher, Bezina or Forster who had some turnover. Defensively, he often made a good job containing Jagr.

As you can't see with my above post, I don't agree with you about this. He surely was not as involved as usual in the offensive zone, but the czech deserve creadit for not letting the swiss defensemen quarterback the play. And I think he was good at clearing the zone, compared to Keller, Blindenbacher, Bezina or Forster who had some turnover. Defensively, he often made a good job containing Jagr.
the czech team was just too good today, but i think when streit wants to play in the nhl he has to stand out in a game like this and i don't think he was able to keep up with the czechs. of course the other swiss defensemen didn't look good either, each one of them has made some mistakes.
when the czech team was attacking, the swiss defensemen couldn't clear the puck out of their zone, they just didn't look safe...

i'm not very familiar with the swiss players so maybe i confused streit with someone else occassionally, but to me no defenseman stood out today. on the other hand the forwards wichser, plüss and even della rossa played a solid game...

the Czechs played well, but so did the Swiss. they had enough chances to tie the score in the 2nd and in the 3rd ...

the Czechs played well, but so did the Swiss. they had enough to tie the score in the 2nd and in the 3rd ...

it was Gerbers fault that they didn't win

But where does all the hype comme from?I wouldn't call it hype. Streit was very much a surprise pick for the Habs in the draft a European overager no one had heard of before and us Habs fans hadn't seen him play or known much about him besides that fact that he was obvioulsy an offencive D judging by his numbers. So it was interest because of lack of knowledge for Streit rather then hype.

the czech team was just too good today, but i think when streit wants to play in the nhl he has to stand out in a game like this and i don't think he was able to keep up with the czechs. of course the other swiss defensemen didn't look good either, each one of them has made some mistakes.
when the czech team was attacking, the swiss defensemen couldn't clear the puck out of their zone, they just didn't look safe...

i'm not very familiar with the swiss players so maybe i confused streit with someone else occassionally, but to me no defenseman stood out today. on the other hand the forwards wichser, plüss and even della rossa played a solid game...

I think you're a bit harsh with Streit. It's hard to stand out for an offensive defenseman when he plays for a team that is clearly weaker than his opponent. Only a good NHL defenseman would stand out playing for a team like Switzerland against such a high caliber opposition.

I think you're a bit harsh with Streit. It's hard to stand out for an offensive defenseman when he plays for a team that is clearly weaker than his opponent. Only a good NHL defenseman would stand out playing for a team like Switzerland against such a high caliber opposition.
let's have a look how he performs in the upcoming games. i have no problem changing my mind on him ;)

Against Kazakhstan, Switzerland will be expected to produce and Streit will have to be a key player. Against Germany, it will be interested to watch him as it won't be the kind of game he like to play, but he will be expected to create some scoring chance in a probably very defensive game.

I also wanted to add that Jagr is the best PP player in the World ... he's unstoppable from that right side, whether he's shooting or passing the puck!

Yeah, Jagr was dominant in this game. I think the swiss made a good job containing him, but he still was the most dangerous czech player.

i expect a tough game with swiss defence and czech victory
shots: 40 : 15 Czechs
score: 3:1 Czechs


that was damn close exept the shots: 41:23 :eek:

For those of you that saw the game, how did Vokoun and Zidlicky look?

Prediction: The defensemen alone will score more points than the Swiss: Zidlicky, Kaberle, and Kubina will get points.
Kaberle got a goal, Kubina two assists. Zidlicky had several chances but no production.

It was a bit closer of a game than I thought.

it was Gerbers fault that they didn't win
we must have watched different games.