Kaut named player of the game in win
Avs first-rounder Martin Kaut was named the Czech Republic’s player of the game as the Czechs clinched third place in Group A.The group stage of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship concluded with the last four games on New Year’s Eve, with all four Avalanche prospects suiting up for their respective teams. First-rounder Martin Kaut netted a goal and was named player of the game for the Czechs as they clinched third place in Group A against Denmark, while Russian youngsters Danila Zhuravlyov and Nikolai Kovalenko squared off against forward Shane Bowers in Russia’s showdown against the hosts for Group A supremacy.
Kaut and the Czechs were looking to clinch their berth in the quarterfinals against the lowly Danes, hoping for a win to finish third over Switzerland in the standings. The Colorado Eagles forward played an instrumental role in the win, netting a goal in the second period to help the Czechs win 4-0. Playing on the reshuffled first line with fellow AHLer Filip Zadina instead of captain Martin Necas, Kaut was all over the ice, playing over 18 minutes and registering 4 shots on goal, and was named player of the game for the Czech Republic. With 2 goals and 3 points, Kaut enters the knockout stage tied for first in team scoring with Necas and defenseman David Kvasnicka, while leading the team in goals.
Kaut was named player of the game for the Czech Republic (Source: Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Zhuravlyov and Kovalenko met with fellow Avs prospect Bowers in Group A’s showdown between Russia and the hosts, with the Russians ultimately prevailing 2-1 following Pavel Shen’s game-winning goal with 9 minutes left in the third period. Neither Avalanche youngster managed to get on the scoresheet, as Bowers finishes the group stage with two assists, Kovalenko with one goal and Zhuravlyov still looking for his first World Juniors point. Bowers once again appeared on the hosts’ second line, while Zhuravlyov was again featured on Russia’s top blueline pair, although he’s been seeing a steady decline in ice-time and only played a little over 16 minutes. Kovalenko returned to the lineup on the fourth line and played less than 10 minutes, but was on the ice for Shen's GWG.
Kovalenko was on the ice for Pavel Shen's game-winning goal (Source: Matt Zambonin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
The tournament continues tomorrow, as the Czechs will face the US in the quarterfinals, Russia squaring off against Slovakia and Canada playing Finland.
Yesterday’s results:
Czech Republic – Denmark 4:0 (2:0, 1:0, 1:0) [Martin Kaut – 1 point (1+0)]
Sweden – Kazakhstan 4:1 (3:0, 0:0, 1:1)
Russia – Canada 2:1 (1:1, 0:0, 1:0) [Danila Zhuravylov, Nikolai Kovalenko and Shane Bowers all without a point]
United States – Finland 4:1 (1:0, 2:0, 1:1)
Tomorrow’s schedule:
Kazakhstan – Denmark
Sweden – Switzerland
Canada – Finland
Czech Republic – USA
Russia – Slovakia
Michal Hezely, Slovakia, hezely@eurolanche.com
01/01/2019 - 21:00
