Tomas Vokoun was brilliant in net after replacing the injured Dominik Hasek.

Czechs win, but Hasek
lost vs. Germany
By Phil Coffey | NHL.com
Feb. 15, 2006

TURIN, Italy -- It was one of those decidedly good news, bad news, good news kind of days for the Czech republic at the 2006 Winter Olympics Wednesday.

The first bit of good news came in the form of a 4-1 victory over Germany in the tournament's opening game for the Czechs. The bad news was starting goalie Dominik Hasek was forced from the game in the first period with an apparent leg injury.

"I made a save and felt a sharp pain in the back of my leg," Hasek said. "It's not my groin."

The other good news for the Czechs was Nashville Predators' goalie Tomas Vokoun was the backup. Vokoun stepped in an the Czechs didn't miss a beat against the Germans, who received tremendous goaltending from Olaf Kolzig of the Washington Capitals, who stopped 30 of 33 shots.

"We knew if the Czechs weren't ready we would give them a game," Kolzig said. "We need to take a moral victory from this."

The Germans were in position to take an actual victory in the game, taking a 1-0 lead when Tino Boos scored at 19:10 of the first period.

The Czechs, who much like the Canadians earlier in the day, seemed to need a period to get over their collective jetlag and start skating.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle put the Czechs into the lead for good early in the second period, scoring power-play goals at 1:02 and 3:38. Jaromir Jagr made it 3-1 at 17:47 with a shot that was stopped by Kolzig, but the rebound caromed off the goalie, struck a German defenseman and bounced into the net. David Vyborny finished off the scoring with a empty-net goal at 19:32.

"It was not easy at all," Jagr said. "The first 20 minutes were tough. We didn't have one practice together and the time is different. It's not easy, and there is the big rink. We're just not used to each other. It will take some time."

Jagr admitted the German's relentless defense was frustrating to play against. The Germans send one forechecker deep and string four players across the blue line to thwart the opposition's offense.

"Only four!" Jagr laughed.

"That's the way they play," Jagr said. "To beat them, you've got to have speed and the No. 1 key is to get the lead. Then they have to open things up."

And the Germans' lack of offense can't keep up once they are forced to abandon their defensive tact.

Now, the Czechs turn their attention to Hasek, who has enjoyed a superb season with the Ottawa Senators this season. But he also has been bothered by a bad groin, and the hope is the injury isn't related to that prior injury. The Czechs are right back in action Thursday against Switzerland, a game Vokoun will almost certainly start. Former NHL goaltender Milan Hnilicka is the likely backup.

Jaromir Jagr scored a goal in the Czech. Republic's 4-1 win over Germany.

"That was tough," Jagr said of Hasek. "I don't know what happened. I think he pulled something. Tomas did a great job for us.

"He (Hasek) was here and did everything he could to be back. But we have good doctors and trainers."

Hasek was replaced by Vokoun in the first period. He grimaced after doing a split during a German power play six minutes into the game. When play was stopped with 9:30 remaining in the period, Hasek came to the bench and was replaced by Vokoun.

Hasek spoke with the coaches at the bench and went to the dressing room for medical treatment. He was back on the bench later in the period, but was later replaced by Hnilicka.

"I don't know," Hasek said when asked when he might be back. "If I play, I want to play and be 100 percent. "I do not want to be out there unless I feel 100 percent. The doctors have looked at it and they will take another look later. At this point, I don't know."

The loss of Hasek could be potentially devastating to the Czech's a team that could challenge Canada for the gold medal in Torino. Helping matters considerably is the presence of Vokoun, who has had a strong season with the Predators. He will now bear the load over the four remaining preliminary-round games and potentially the three medal-round contests.