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The Czech U18 team won their opening game against Switzerland. Although the start wasn’t ideal — Tim Münger opened the scoring in the 8th miKachlířJiří Kamas managed to equalise before the end of the first period. Šimon Bělohorský scored twice in a much better second period for Czechia, with additional goals coming from Lukáš Kachlíř and Dominick Byrtus. Switzerland added one goal of their own, scored by Philip Moser. The final period was more of a formality, with the only goal coming from Kachlíř, sealing out the win for the Czechs.
Penalties: 4:8. PP goals: 1:0. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Kostourek, Sýkora – Klouček, Teršíp. Attendance: 1.
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Report
The start of the game was very evenly matched, as neither team wanted to make a mistake in their first game of the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Czechia had a powerplay opportunity early on but failed to capitalise. The packed stands of Czech fans fell silent in the eighth minute, when Nevio Reist battled for the puck in the corner and passed it to Tim Münger, who sent it right through the Czech goalie’s five-hole to draw first blood. The Czechs reacted perfectly, equalising just three minutes later, with the 1:1 score standing until the first intermission.
The five-goal middle frame saw Czechia dominate with four goals scored. Šimon Bělohorský scored the turn-around goal to give the home team their first lead of the game, while Lukáš Kachlíř, Filip Novák and Šimon Bělohorský again all added points to the scoreboard as well. Still, the Swiss refused to give up and Philip Moser scored after the game’s midway point to cut the deficit to three. The Swiss side finished the second period strongly but couldn’t add another goal.
Despite fewer goals, Czechia continued to dominate in the third period. Lukáš Kachlíř scored the final goal of the game, his second on the night, by knocking in a loose puck during a powerplay. Czechia also tested their penalty shot skills in the 51st minute when Dominik Řípa skated out solo towards the Swiss goalie who read him like a book and denied him the goal. As the game wound down, the closing minutes were mostly calm, with the 1,643 spectators in the arena already having their money’s worth of hockey action for the evening.