The intensity of the IIHF World Championships is in full swing as the action continues on Tuesday, featuring USA vs. Czechia in the fourth matchup on the final day of preliminary matches.
Coming off a convincing 6-1 win over Kazakhstan, USA dominated in the second period with five goals to establish the lead in wake of a silent first period from both teams. Kazakhstan was only able to find the net in the third period with less than a minute to go.
Each of the six total scores for USA saw a different face send the puck into the net, including NHL stars Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, Michael Kesselring of the Utah Mammoth, and Frank Nazar of the Chicago Blackhawks.
However, Czechia enters the matchup following a 5-0 shutout victory over Germany on Monday. Taking just 25 total shots, Czechia saw four different scorers throughout the game, with forward Jakub Flek accounting for two out of the five.
Czechia has outscored its opponents 33-9 in the tournament thus far and have remained undefeated, while USA has suffered one loss to Switzerland.
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Will Czechia keep its winning streak alive, or will USA be the first team to hand over a loss in the IIHF World Championship? Follow along for live updates:
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Seven more penalties later, and there is no action to show for the ongoing physicality by both teams. Czechia remains ahead as USA continues to take any opportunity it can get to tie things back up.
Although neither team has scored for over eight minutes, USA has currently outshot Czechia 36-16 in the second period. Blood has been drawn from USA’s Logan Cooley following an altercation with Jakub Krejcik, and he will be sent to the penalty box.
Forward Martin Necas slides in with a backdoor shot for Czechia to put his team in front, with David Pastrnak swooping in with the assist.
Czechia wastes no time in the start of the second period, and forward David Pastrnak snags a turnover and floats to the USA goal for a straight shot into the net.
Czechia accumulated four penalties, while USA claimed three for a total of seven penalties in the first period. But things are just getting started between the two, as Czechia has not trailed a game since its first preliminary game against Switzerland and will surely look to erase USA’s lead.
With less than two minutes to go in the first period, Czechia has yet to drive into the net. USA goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman has blocked multiple attempts, but USA as a whole looks determined to defend the zone.
USA strikes first thanks to forward Josh Doan with a backhand score. Doan just completed his first year in the NHL with the Utah Mammoth.
Doan puttin’ in work 😤 #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/vmgvTffiNh
The physicality has already been prevalent in this game, with Conor Garland and Michael McCarron from USA heating things up. USA’s Mikey Eyssimont and Czechia’s Daniel Vozenilek were both sent to the penalty box for roughing.
Forwards
Defensemen
Goalies
U.S. vs. Czechia on deck 👀#MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/5FCPTF2p1e
Forwards
Defensemen
Goalies
There are 16 total teams competing in the IIHF World Championship, which have been split into two groups, Group A and Group B. Group A plays in Stockholm, Sweden at the Avicii Arena and Group B plays in Herning, Denmark’s Jyske Bank Boxen.
Tuesday, May 20 – Preliminary Round
Thursday, May 22 – Quarterfinal Round
Saturday, May 24 – Semifinal Round
Sunday, May 25 – Championship
USA vs. Czechia will face off on Tuesday, May 20 at 10:20 a.m. ET.
USA vs. Czechia is set in Herning, Denmark at the Jyske Bank Boxen.
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