.czech scalp!

.finally, the bad luck that goes along all our games against the Czech Republic was broken!
This game was really important (for both contestants), for us the victory was a ticket into quarter-finals, for Czech every point meant the same (on the other hand, the loss could bring them complications). We also needed some win to forget last two losses with northamerican teams...
First period was not very encouraging. Czech played their style of game and managed to score a goal in power play. We almost didn't send a shot on Czech goalie (and without shooting activity it is hard to win ;) ).
Second period reversed the roles. After the tying goal (scored by Demitra with some luck) we're more active and had some good scoring chances and pressure. It resulted in another goal. This was what we needed. From that moment on, the pressure to create the game was on our opponents (and it is tough to play when you desperately need to score...).
Final period was filled with Czech enormous effort to tie the game. Our defence was luckily against it. After surviving the penalty killing we struck a winning goal (by Gaborik, our first killer line is finally awake!). Our glee was not lasting long, as a minute later it was 3:2. Yet we managed to sustain great pressure in the last few minutes and not even pulling the goalie helped the Czechs.
Victory is ours! Yet the most important part of the tournament is still only to begin...