Defence deciding factor

ByEurosport

Published 25/02/2006 at 17:11 GMT

Defence is crucial for the Czech Republic's hopes of containing the mighty Russian offence as the two teams square off Saturday night with the bronze medal at stake. Czech coach Alois Hadamczic is left with the choice of the inconsistent Tomas Vokoun and

CZECH GOALIE DELEMA

In the abscence of star goaltender Dominik Hasek, who sustained a groin injury in the Czech's first match of the Olympic tournament, Hadamczic chose the usually reliable Nashville Predators netminder Tomas Vokoun.

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 Canada-Czech Republic Vokoun

Image credit: Reuters

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Top goalie in the Czech domestic league, Milan Hnilicka, replaced Vokoun as the no. 1 choice earlier this week but allowed five goals on 20 shots in Friday's 7-3 semifinal loss to Sweden before being taken off the ice.

RUSSIAN ARTILLERY

The Russians, who boast the top offense in the tournament, will be hungry after their comprehensive 4-0 loss to Finland on Friday. The defeat ended a win streak of five games in which they averaged 4.4 goals per game.

Russia's top line of Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk and Alex Kovalev are due for a breakout after being held to zero points and a combined 12 shots against a well organized Finnish defense.

ICE HOCKEY 2005-2006 NHL Alexander Ovechkin Russia

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Another player that the Czechs will be forced to keep an eye on is 21-year-old standout Alexander Ovechkin who leads Russia with five goals and 24 attempts on target.

NABOKOV FACTOR

Of course, keeping the Russian offense in check solves the problem for the Czechs at one end of the ice. The exceptional Evgeni Nabokov poses a whole new set of problems at the other.

Nabokov, along with Finland's Antero Niittymaki, has been the tournament's best goalie averaging 1.20 goals per game.

ICE HOCKEY Nabokov Набоков

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Nabokov has three shutouts so far in the tournament but is coming off a four goal loss. It is important for the Czechs to test him early as to not let him regain his confidence.

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