Two goalkeepers playing in NHL, both of Czech origin: Left Roman Cechmanek(32) of Philadelphia Flyers and Dominik Hasek of Buffalo Sabres, shake hands after Sabres won the Game 6 and Eastern Conference quarter finals in Buffalo. PHOTO – REUTERS
PRAGUE – Reigning world and Olympic champions the Czech Republic left last Wednesday for the ice hockey world championships, confident of defending their title despite the absence of many of the country‘s best players. „Any other goal than gold just doesn‘t exist,“ said coach Josef Augusta. The Czechs left their training facility northeast of Prague hoping thousands of fans will make the short trip across the border into Germany.
Even without the services of top NHL players like Jaromir Jagr and Dominik Hasek, the Czechs have established themselves as world hockey‘s dominant power and are hoping to be the first team to win three consecutive championships since the Soviet Union, which won five straight titles beginning in 1978.
The Czech team still has nine NHL players plus a former star of the north American league, Robert Reichel. Reichel, who could be lining up against his younger brother Martin — now a German citizen — captained the team to title wins in Russia last year and in 1996 in Vienna.
„We have a good atmosphere on this team, we work well together. I personally won‘t talk about heading there for a gold, but for me, and the team, success can only be a medal,“ Reichel said.
Reuters
