Czech Team Had Fewer Stars, but Far More Unity

Czech defenseman Petr Svoboda had tears in his eyes as the shiny gold medal was slipped around his neck. Defenseman Jiri Slegr kissed his medal, seeing value well beyond the precious metal it contained. Goaltender Dominik Hasek held his medal up for the crowd at Big Hat arena--and all the hockey world--to see.

“It’s unbelievable,” Martin Rucinsky said, clutching a bottle of champagne. “I can’t even say anything now. I’ve got the gold medal. I’m the most happiest person in the world.”

In the first Olympic hockey tournament to showcase NHL stars, the Czech Republic stole the show from the NHL-pedigreed Canadians, Americans and Swedes. Backing the remarkable goaltending of Hasek with selflessness and solid team defense, the Czechs won the first hockey gold medal in their country’s Olympic history with a 1-0 victory over Russia on Sunday, a historic ending to a historic tournament.

“I don’t know who was the more talented team, if Russia or we were,” Hasek said. “But the focus we had was very important, and I think that’s why we win the game.

“I don’t even know if we get a bonus for this. I play for the country where the coaches taught me to play hockey. It was one of my last chances to win something big, and me and my teammates, we’re very happy.”

They won it because Hasek frustrated the U.S., Canada and Russia in succession in the playoffs, giving up two goals in the three games and thwarting Canada five times in the tie-breaking shootout in the semifinal. Svoboda’s goal at 8:08 of the third period was all the Czechs needed Sunday, as Hasek made 20 saves and improved his goals-against average to 0.97 in six games.

“I said he’s the best goalie in the world and I still think so,” said Russian center Sergei Fedorov, who played well even though a contract dispute with the Detroit Red Wings had kept him out of competitive hockey until the Games. “I still feel very proud of our team. We played a good game. One goal is all it takes to win.”

One goal is often enough for Hasek, who shares the NHL lead with seven shutouts. It was more than enough Sunday for the Czechs, who compiled a 5-1 record.

Of the six “dream teams” here, the Czechs had the fewest NHL players, 11, besides several who played in the NHL last season and others whose rights belong to NHL clubs. No matter. They had Hasek, they had heart and they had the advantage of having grown up playing on the wider ice surface used in international play. The U.S. and Canadian players never learned what to do with the extra space, particularly in the defensive zone. The Czechs used it wisely and well, using their defensemen wide to keep the Russian shooters on the perimeter as much as possible.

“We had stars like Dominik Hasek, Jaromir Jagr and Robert Reichel,” assistant coach Slavomir Lener said. “But for us as coaches, seeing the team in the dressing room, there were no stars in this team. We are 100% sure that’s why we achieved this gold medal, the first gold medal for Czech hockey. We are very proud of our players.”

Svoboda’s goal was set up on a faceoff that resulted when teammate Josef Beranek hit the post and Russian goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov pounced on the rebound and froze it. Center Pavel Patera, who plays for the Swedish club AIK in Stockholm, bested Alexei Yashin of the Ottawa Senators on the draw and got the puck to Martin Prochazka. He passed to Svoboda, a tough defenseman who has scored only 50 goals in his 14-year NHL career.

Svoboda watched while players cruised through the slot and took a stride before firing a slap shot that glanced off Shtalenkov’s glove. At the other end of the ice, Hasek pumped his fists in a brief celebration and quickly regained his concentration.

“It’s not only the way he plays, it’s his major psychological impact,” Russian Coach Vladimir Yurzinov said about Hasek. “Because at times, I felt not quite sure if we would be able to score at all, period. . . .

“I believe our team represented our country very well [Russia also finished 5-1], but by the same token I would say this game was not the best game we ever played. We could have taken advantage of the power plays and, basically, I feel that I failed to properly coach the team for this final game.”

Maybe so, but the Czechs earned their triumph honestly. And the thrill Svoboda felt when the Czech anthem was played was genuine, too.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I haven’t heard that song in many years.”

Svoboda plays for the Philadelphia Flyers but his parents still live in the Czech Republic.

“I was so happy,” he said. “It was the nicest dream you can have. I don’t know how to describe it in words.”

As they had during the shootout against Canada, the Czech players linked arms while they watched their flag being raised during the medal ceremony. They won’t be linked much longer. After a brief trip back to Prague for a public victory rally, they will disperse to their clubs and resume their careers and lives. None will be the same as before.

“It’s something you never forget,” Reichel said. “We play for our team, for our fans and for our country. It’s the best moment we ever had.”