5 Nations Cup opens in Hradec Králové

The five-team international tune-up for the World U18 Championships began on Tuesday with a pair of games, one in Hradec Králové and one in Nový Bydžov.

Tomáš Hertl. Photo: mojekarty.shop5.cz.

 The host Czechs took on Finland at the tournament's main venue, Hradec Králové's ČEZ Stadion, and it was the visitors that struck twice early, Kalle Kossila and Miro Altonen. Late in the first, Tomáš Rousek got one back for the Czechs. Two more Finnish goals in the second by Markus Granlund and Heikki Liedes widened their lead to 4-1, and it stayed that way until the dying minutes of the game, when Tomáš Moravec scored with goaltender Jaroslav Pavelka on the bench to make it a 4-2 final. Tomáš Hertl assisted on both Czech goals. Altonen led Finland with a goal and an assist. Pavelka and Sasmu Pehronen each made 19 saves in goal for their respective teams.

Rocco Grimaldi. Photo: USHL images.

In Nový Bydžov, which is 30 kilometres west of Hradec, the United States spanked Sweden 6-2. The Americans were led by captain Rocco Grimaldi's 3 goals and 1 assist, 3 assists from Reid Boucher, and 2 assists from Robbie Russo. They also got single goals from Adam Reid, Blake Pietila, and J.T. Miller. Sweden got a goal and an assist from Jonas Brodin and a goal from Rotevall Boyce.

On Thursday, the Czechs are idle. Russia plays its first game of the tournament against the USA in Hradec Králové, while Sweden takes on Finland in Nový Bydžov.

Elsewhere, there was U17 action in Moscow. The Czech Republic fell to Sweden 4-3 in a shootout, followed by host Russia's 4-3 comeback victory over Finland. It was the second time in as many days the Czechs fell in a shootout, as they lost by a 3-2 score to Russia on Tuesday. Finland beat Sweden 5-4 in a shootout the same day. On Thursday, the tournament's final day, the Czechs play Finland and Russia plays Sweden. Russia leads with 5 points, followed by Sweden with 3, and Finland and the Czechs with 2 each.

In Mannheim, Germany, the Czech U19 team is 2-0. They opened on Tuesday with a 3-2 win over Finland, getting goals from Adam Řehák, Jaromír Kverka, and Tomáš Fořt. On Wednesday, they were led by 2 goals from Michal Vachovec in a 4-1 victory over the host Germans. Filip Pavlík and Jan Müller also scored for the Czechs.