International Ice Hockey Federation

Big moments in Czech hockey

Big moments in Czech hockey

Karel Rachunek’s equaliser in 2010

Published 08.10.2014 10:03 GMT+2 | Author Marek Kratochvil
Big moments in Czech hockey
COLOGNE, GERMANY - MAY 22: Karel Rachunek #4 of the Czech Republic scores on Sweden's Jonas Gustavsson #50 with 7.5 seconds left in third period to tie their semifinal game at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. (Photo by: Matthew Manor/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Back in 2010, the Czech Republic played Sweden in the World Championships semi-finals. The Swedes had one foot already in the final, until the Czechs equalised.

The Czech national team fought to get to the final game on 22 May 2010, when they faced off against Sweden in the semifinals. Their opponent, representing the Tre Kronor, was 2-1 ahead in the third period and maybe already saw themselves in the gold medal game.

Twenty seconds before the horn, Jonas Gustavsson made a really confident save, after which Johan Harju tried his luck with an empty net attempt down the ice – missing the net by inches. Sweden was called for icing, and there to to be a face-off in front of the Swedish goal with 15 seconds to go.

The Swedish centre forward won the face-off, but Jakub Voracek didn’t give up, pushed him on the boards and went for the puck. Eventually, he got it and went behind the goal, from where he passed out in front of Gustavsson, hoping that one of his teammates will be there. It went straight to Karel Rachunek, who slapped it hard straight into the net, with eight seconds left on the clock.

“I just got the puck and when I saw that open space in front of me, I tried to hit it as hard as I could. It was impossible considering how little time was remaining. We had a big stroke of luck, but I think we deserved it with the hard work and determination we had. I want to dedicate the goal to my little daughter,“ the goal scorer described after the third period.

The Czechs celebrated, because the defender with number 4 on his shirt put his team back in the game. A scoreless overtime followed, so the game was decided by a shoot-out. Magnus Johansson took the first shot, but failed. At the other end Lukas Kaspar scored with the first attempt for his team.

The second shot for Sweden was executed by Linus Omark, who found the gap between Vokoun’s legs and equalized. However, Jan Marek scored as well with a shot between goalie’s pads. Now Tony Martensson had to score, but he didn’t and the Czechs‘ comeback was confirmed with a win.

That night in Köln was a game that will be in memory of almost every Czech ice hockey fan for a long time.

 

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