U.S. Juniors Fall To Czechs
The Czech Republic exploited several U.S. defensive lapses to beat the United States 4-1 Monday and qualify for the finals of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.
"We saw a videotape of the match between Sweden and the United States," Czech Republic coach Radim Rulik said. "Then we plotted our strategy which worked 100 percent."
The Czechs will face Russia in the final Tuesday. The Russians beat Canada 3-2 in the other semifinal.
Canada will play the United States for third place.
Team USA, which routed Sweden in the quarterfinals, was handicapped before the start of the game.
Their head coach, Jeff Jackson, had to leave Sweden after his mother, Katherine, was hospitalized in Michigan.
"Jeff has headed this team for almost four years and it was of course tough for us when he had to leave," said team captain Adam Hall of Michigan State. "But all the players understood his reasons, that the family comes first."
"Of course he meant a lot. But I must admit that the Czech Republic made a great match and deserved to win. I hope they win the gold medal as well," Hall added.
Michal Sivek, set up by Milan Kraft, shocked the Americans scoring just 1:32 into the game.
The Americans then repeatedly committed position slip-ups in the defense area for 72 decisive seconds in the middle of the second period.
Zbynek Irgl made it 2-0 at 12:51 and Kraft upped the score to 3-0 a little more than a minute later.
Daniel Cavanaugh made it 3-1 at 8:07 of the third period. Jaroslav Kristek then scored one for the Czechs with 24 seconds remaining.
Bjorn Christen scored two goals as Switzerland upset Finland 5-2 in the consolation series and will play Sweden for the fifth spot on Tuesday.
Kenneth Bergqvist had three goals and Niklas Kronwall and Jimmie Olvestad two each as Sweden routed Kazakstan 12-2 in the consolation series.
Kazakstan plays Finland for seventh spot.
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