Saturday, February 16, 2002
Czechs chomp on Germany
ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
PROVO, Utah -- Jaromir Jagr celebrated his 30th birthday with two goals and two assists as the Czech Republic opened defence of its Olympic title last night with an 8-2 win over Germany.
Playing on a line with former Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Robert Lang and Jan Hrdina, Jagr spearheaded a slick-passing Czech attack that led to four powerplay goals.
"We watched them the last three (preliminary round) games and it was important for us to get the first goal," said Jagr, whose linemate, Lang, added a goal and two assists.
"It was a great way for us to open the tournament."
Seven different Czech players scored for the defending champs who built a 3-0 first-period lead thanks to goals from Jagr, Petr Sykora and Milan Hejduk.
The Czechs had a 6-1 lead after two periods, prompting the majority of the 6,303 fans at The Peaks Arena to increase their singing and waving of Czech flags.
Nagano hero Dominik Hasek had a solid game, stopping 18 shots. Martin Havlat, Patrik Elias and Robert Reichel also scored for the Czechs while Leonard Soccio and Stefan Ustorf replied for Germany.
Jagr also caught bits and pieces of Canada's 5-2 loss to Sweden.
"Of course I'm surprised," Jagr said. "Both teams are great teams -- Canada has great names, but it's the first game, they're playing on big ice and these first three games mean nothing anyways.
"But they're going to be back, I know it."
After allowing just three goals in three preliminary round wins, German coach Hans Zach confused many by sitting Marc Selinger in favour of backup Christian Kunast.
Kunast was pulled midway through the game when he allowed his fourth goal on the 16th shot.
The Germans, who boast just two NHLers -- Edmonton's Jochen Hecht and San Jose's Marco Sturm -- were without Washington's Olaf Kolzig who sat in the stands with a knee injury.
He is uncertain whether he'll be ready to play by tomorrow when the Germans face Canada.
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
