The Czech Republic went into the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship with the talent to surprise a few teams, and claimed second place in Group B as a result. With good players throughout their lineup, they pose a threat to any team, and can’t be counted out of any single-elimination contest.
Finland will have to put in a complete effort if they hope to advance to the semifinals, and that’s something the team has found hard to achieve this year. Their most recent game, played with a chance to secure second spot in Group A, had short bursts of strong play that the team is capable of, but was mostly a night spent on their heels versus Team USA. Should the Finns turn in a similar effort this afternoon, they may find themselves missing out at a chance for a medal for a second year in a row.
How to watch
Puck drop: 12:00 PM EST / 9:00 AM PST
In Canada: TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5 (English,) RDS (French)
In the United States: NHL Network
Live stream: TSNGO
Team Czech Republic projected lineup
CZE Forwards
Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
#6 Marek Zachar |
#21 Filip Chytil |
#16 Martin Kaut |
#29 Albert Michnáč |
#8 Martin Nečas |
#18 Filip Zadina |
#15 Daniel Kurovský |
#22 Kristian Reichel |
#25 Radovan Pavlík |
#27 Ostap Safin |
#28 Petr Kodýtek |
#17 Kryštof Hrabík |
|
|
#20 Jakub Lauko |
CZE Defencemen
Left Defence |
Right Defence |
#19 Vojtěch Budík |
#3 Libor Hájek |
#11 Filip Král |
#23 Jakub Galvas |
#14 Ondrej Vála |
#7 Radim Salda |
CZE Goaltenders
Goaltenders |
#30 Josef Kořenář |
#1 Jakub Škarek |
Team Finland projected lineup
FIN Forwards
Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
#20 Eeli Tolvanen |
#9 Janne Kuokkanen |
#13 Kristian Vesalainen |
#32 Aleksi Heponiemi |
#27 Joni Ikonen |
#12 Otto Koivula |
#3 Juha Jääskä |
#15 Joona Koppanen |
#21 Markus Nurmi |
#34 Rasmus Kupari |
#22 Aapeli Räsänen |
#33 Jere Innala |
FIN Defencemen
Left Defence |
Right Defence |
#2 Miro Heiskanen |
#6 Juuso Välimäki |
#7 Olli Juolevi |
#28 Henri Jokiharju |
#23 Urho Vaakanainen |
#4 Robin Salo |
|
#36 Kasper Kotkansalo |
FIN Goaltenders
Goaltenders |
#1 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen |
#31 Niilo Halonen |