CZECH TEAM AIMS FOR ANOTHER VICTORY, SURPRISING HUNGARY FRESH OFF HISTORIC SUCCESS

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May 12, 2025

Czech Republic - Hungary 

Ice Hockey World Championship 2025, Group B Jyske Bank Boxen, Herning, Denmark

On Friday, May 12, 2025, the Czech ice hockey team will play their fifth game at the 2025 World Championship against Hungary. Coach Radim Rulík's squad will be looking to secure another full points haul after a crushing 7-2 victory over Denmark, which would keep them in the hunt for first place in Group B.

The Czech national team has been fulfilling its role as the paper favorite perfectly so far. Three wins from four games (with only one point lost in overtime against Switzerland) place the Czech hockey players in second position in the group right behind the perfect record of Germany.

"The second period is our kingdom," say Czech fans, and the statistics prove them right. It was in the middle frame that Rulík's players scored four goals against Denmark, and they showed a similar pattern in previous games as well. Team chemistry is working, and the stars are delivering the expected performances.

David Pastrňák, thanks to his three points against Denmark (1+2), has risen to the top of the tournament's scoring charts with 6 points (2+4) in four games. Close behind him follows captain Roman Červenka with 5 points (2+3), and Martin Nečas is enjoying an excellent tournament debut, having scored twice against Denmark.

"We're succeeding in playing the system we've established," says coach Rulík with satisfaction. "We're not dependent on just one line, and that's the key to success."

Hungary may have started the tournament with cruel defeats, 1-6 against Germany and 0-6 against the USA, but then came a crucial turning point. Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Kazakhstan represents their first win in regulation time at the elite level World Championship since 2016.

János Hári led the team to this surprising triumph, becoming the first Hungarian hockey player since 1939 to record three points in a single World Championship game (1+2). He has a total of 4 points already and is clearly the leader of his team.

Also worthy of attention are Vilmos Galló, a key player for Finnish KooKoo, and young talent Kristóf Papp. In defense, naturalized defenders Henrik Nilsson and Šimon Szathmáry stand out, the latter being familiar to Czech fans from his time with Třebíč, Poruba, and most recently Slavia.

Unfortunately, the Czech team must deal with health issues. Jáchym Kondelík injured his hand and will not continue in the championship. Defender Tomáš Kundrátek is also struggling with health problems, but according to Radim Rulík, he might still play.

The team management has already registered Adam Klapka on the roster, which is a condition for calling up a replacement for the injured Kondelík. Several prominent names are in play, including Tomáš Hertl, David Kämpf, or Michal Kovařčík.

On paper, the match should be a straightforward affair for the Czech national team, primarily due to Hungary's weak defense. Coach Majoross's players have already conceded 14 goals in three games (an average of 4.67 per game), which is the second-worst record in the tournament.

The Czech team still has a theoretical chance to reach first place in Group B. However, they must defeat all remaining opponents, including the USA and Germany, whom they will face at the end of the group stage. The match against Hungary is thus crucial not only for gaining more points but also for maintaining confidence and good playing form.

Photo: source XYZ 

We thank the IIHF for providing tournament information.