Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

Storm vs Czech

Storm fall 6-4 to Czech Republic in a thriller

Dec 6, 2019 | 10:51 AM

It was a wild game at Revolution Place Thursday night, as the Storm fell 6-4 to the Czech Republic in a rare exhibition match ahead of the 2019 World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek.

The first 25 minutes started out as a struggle for the Storm. The Czech’s controlled much of the play early in the game, jumping out to an 4-0 lead by the 2:18 mark of the second period thanks to goals from Adam Rutar, Matej Morong, Filip Prikryl and a shorthanded goal by Jakub Rychlovsky.

The Storm appeared to settle down from down, as Ethan Strang would finally get the Storm on the board with a power play goal off a cross ice feed from Nathaniel Bierd at the 8:28 into the second period to make it a 4-1 game.

The Storm would make a goaltending change halfway into the second period, giving both Lars Kaliel and Kaeden Lane a chance to get some reps in the game. The score remained 4-1 after two periods of play.

The Storm then turned it on in the third period.

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

Lukas Jirousek would add an early third period goal for the Storm to make it a 4-2 game. However, the two-goal lead wouldn’t last long as Jakub Rychlovsky would pot his second of the game to restore the Czech’s three goal advantage.

Just over three minutes later, Brody Dale would snipe a wrist shot by Czech goaltender Jakub Dobes on the power play with 6:48 remaining, once again make it a two-goal deficit.

Storm Head Coach Matt Keillor would then pull Lane with just under three minutes remaining for the extra attacker, which paid dividends as Brett Meerman would pot his first goal as a member of the Grande Prairie Storm, bringing the game within one with 2:34 to go.

That momentum would be stalled shortly after though, as Juliano Santalucia was called for holding, which sent the Storm to the penalty kill for at least the rest of regulation..

The Storm had their chances the penalty kill though. Devin Sutton and Samuel Erkkila were met with a two-on-one opportunity only to be denied by Dobes, who stopped 34 of 38 shots in the game.

Shortly after Jakub Rychlovksy would seal the deal with an empty-netter giving him the hat-trick and the Czech’s a 6-4 victory.

Rychlovsky was named player of the game for the Czech Republic and Ethan Strang was named player of the game of the Storm.

After the game, Storm head coach Matt Keillor discussed how this was a good experience for his squad.

“I think our guys after about 10 or 15 minutes started pick it up, started to move the puck a little quicker and make quicker decisions, and the rest is history. We made a game of it, so it was a really good experience.”

The Czech Republic will now head to Dawson Creek to play in the World Junior A Challenge. The squad will play Russia in their opening game Sunday afternoon.

The Storm will shift their focus to the Brooks Bandits as they will be in town next Friday at Revolution Place.