The other summertime hockey series, the International Ice Hockey Federation’s annual World Championships, is drawing to a close today. The bronze medal game between the Russians and the Czech Republic just concluded, with the Czechs taking a wacky 7-4 victory over the Russian team.
The lone Thrasher remaining in the tournament was goaltender Ondrej Pavelec, who had an outstanding series. Pavs led the Czechs to victory with a .946 save percentage and a miniscule 1.57 GAA. This style of play is what made Pavelec the second hottest first half of the season goaltender behind Boston’s Tim Thomas.
This is also more than likely what Pavelec plays like in front of a solid defensive team who actually doesn’t hang goaltenders out to dry.
The IIHF is made up of countries as varied as Korea, Japan, Great Britain, Ireland, India, and now Argentina. Argentina? India? How DARE they steal Canada’s sport!
/winnipegged