In the final best-of-seven series of the Austrian Uniqa League the underdog VSV from Villach leads 3:0 over the Black Wings from Linz.

However, this final is far from being over. In the semi-finals Villach trailed arch-rival Klagenfurt 0:2 but coach Ron Kennedy brought back the old VSV-like icehockey - tough checking and aggressive fore-checking - to win the series 4:2. In the first round Villach beat EHC Lustenau 4:1, suffering the only loss in the first game at home.
Linz` way to the finals was completely different. After dominating the season with 26 wins in 32 games they swept HC Innsbruck in the first and the Vienna Capitals in the second round of the play-offs. But their 9-game winning streak was ended by Villach.
During their four match-ups in the season the home team never was able to win a game. Villach won twice in Linz (2:3 and 3:4) while Linz got four points from Villach, winning 3:5 and 1:3.

1st game in Linz
Villach dominated the first 20 minutes, allowing only three breakaways, but was not able to get the puck behind goalie Pavel Nestak. The former AHL-goalie was the main reason that Linz was kept in the game. However, after the break the fans saw a different home team. With 30 seconds played, Rick Nasheim (Linz, F) scored a beautiful goal to make it 1:0. And three minutes later Markus Peintner (Linz, F), who is playing some very good games, made it doubled the score. But just seven minutes later Wolfi Kromp (VSV, F) scored on a breakaway when he slipped the puck past Nestak from an "impossible" scoring-position. Both teams then played some pretty nice off-and-go hockey, resulting in many odd-man-rushes and excellent scoring chances. Thanks to the goalies Gert Prohaska and Pavel Nestak neither team was able to score - until the clock showed 59:59. Prohaska was already out of his net and Linz missed the empty net three (!!!) times when Tom Searle (VSV, D) shot the puck out of his zone. The puck touched Nasheim`s skates, hit the boards behind Nestak and re-bounded to the front of the net, where Wolfi Kromp and Rod Hinks (VSV, F) were all alone in front of Nestak and had no problem putting the puck into the net, while some Linzer players were already celebrating their so-believed victory. Neither team was able to score in overtime and the shootout ended 3:1 for Villach. The best players were Nestak, Markus Eichberger and Peintner for Linz, and Kent Salfi, Hinks and Prohaska for Villach.

2nd game in Villach
Villach seemed to be asleep at the beginning of the game, resulting in two quality scoring chances for Linz in the minute. Goalie Gert Prohaska (1:05) and Rene Wild (VSV, D, after 3:39) tried to "wake up" their team then. Both got 10-minutes-misconducts, however, it worked out fine. Villach really was awake. Linz could only register four more shots on the goal, while Nestak kept them in the game - once more. The home team Villach had 12 good scoring chances, but was only able to beat the goalie once, when the defense forgot about Tom Searle right in front of the net. Villach also dominated the first ten minutes of the second period, yet were unable to score. Linz then scored on two great breakaways from Oliver Setzinger and Rick Nasheim. The guests played a strong game then, but right before the break Kent Salfi deflected a shot from Mike Stewart (VSV, D) into the goal. The third period was all Linz. Villach had only few chances with only one good one, while Linz was storming towards the Villach zone for nearly twenty minutes. But again Gert Prohaska played a stellar game and the decision - again - had to fall in the shoot-out, as neither team was able to score in overtime. Kent Salfi was the only of all ten players who put the puck behind the goalie and again Villach won 3:2iP. The best players were Nestak, Robert Lukas and Mark Szücs for Linz, and Prohaska, Salfi, Herbert Hohenberger and Mike Stewart for Villach.

3rd game in Linz
Villach wanted to continue one series: they never lost in Linz. However, thanks to Oliver Setzinger and Gerhard Puschnik (Linz, F) they led 1:0 and 2:1. But there was one man playing an outstanding game for Villach - Wolfi Kromp. He answered the first goal by himself and his shot was deflected by Andi Pusnik to tie the game at two. Eight minutes into the second period he scored another pair of goals and finished the game with 3g+1a. The first period showed a strong play by Linz. For about 15 minutes they dominated, both Villach goals were somehow unexpected. The second period was the complete opposite. Linz did not have the slightest chance to go ahead and was outshoot by Villach 21:6. With another two goals from Rod Hinks - which was answered by Roland Divis to catch up the score at 3:5 - and Günther Lanzinger, Villach started the third period with a 6:3 lead. Five minutes into the third Villach began to play defense only. They registered only about six more shots on Nestak`s goal. Markus Peintner got another goal to shorten the gap, but 64 seconds before the end Günther Lanzinger scored his second of the game into the empty net for the end-result of 7:4 for Villach. If there were any outstanding players to be named for Linz it must be Oliver Setzinger for his good match (1 goal, 1 shot hit the goal post, nearly every shot of him was dangerous) and Patrik Hucko for one of his worst matches ever. Hucko was on the ice during every goal Villach scored except the first one. The outstanding players from Villach were Wolfi Kromp, Andi Pusnik and Günther Lanzinger.

Sunday evening at 18:15 Linz has to win to avoid a sweep in the finals. Injured player Christian Perthaler should be on the ice again them and his team will try everything to win. This will be the hardest game for Villach. They do now have four match balls to the championship but the players must keep in mind that they trailed Klagenfurt 0:2 in the series and won 4:2. And Linz will do everything to do the same to Villach, that Villach did to Klagenfurt... -Zwische-

Amsterdam Boretti Tigers won the Dutch Superleague after incredible seventeen years. In the play off finals they beat Heerenveen Formido Flyers. Having won the initial game in Heerenveen 6:3 they won the two successive games on the home ice 6:1 a 3:1 making the final score of the series 3:0. This year Holland will see the IIHF World Championship Division I Group A that is going to be played in Eindhoven April 14th to 20th. More on www.ijshockey.nl and www.wc2002.nl. -Henri B-

Like in Nagano, the similiar number of Europeans players were supposed to participate at Salt Lake City hockey tournament. So it was in mind of Czech coaches a two years ago. But the reality has changed since then. In 1998, only 39 Czech players used to play in NHL, this year was the number almost doubled – 72. Because of this fact, just three men were chosen from Europe: Petr Cajanek (Zlin), Michal Sykora (Pardubice) and Pavel Patera of Omsk (Russia) were the lucky players, although the nomination of Pavel Patera was a little suprising. He has never succeded in fight for a regulary place in NHL teams, tried to get into Dallas or Minnesota roster. After three years of waiting, he accepted interesting offer of rich Russian team Omsk. A little was heard about him, most of experts in overseas were surprised, that Ottawa´s center Radek Bonk did not get a second chance in the Czech national team.

The second most surprised nomination pick was a center Jiri Hrdina, mostly known for his defensive skills and good chemistry between him and stellar Jaromir Jagr. Relatively old but very experienced players like Hasek, Lang or Reichel were combined with young guns like Martin Havlat, Martin Skoula or Tomas Kaberle. Skoula, only 22, have won a Stanley Cup with Colorado Avalanche, plays regularly over 20 minutes in the NHL games. Havlat is one of the best Ottawa´s offensive players and Kaberle for last two years the most valuable defensman of Toronto.

The coaches Augusta and Martinec were careful about the good chemistry of all the lines. In defensive lines the offensive defenseman was always put besides the defensive one. Among forwards the important thing was the past experience. The Czech first ofensive line leader was a former Pittsburgh captain Jaromir Jagr, followed by Robert Lang and Jan Hrdina. The second one, Reichel, Rucinsky, Dvorak played a great game on last World championship in Germany. Between two Devils Sykora and Elias, who played twice in Stanley Cup finals, was put a Flyer Jiri Dopita. Only in fourth line there was place found for an Avalanche star Milan Hejduk and Martin Havlat, in center with Pavel Patera who was preffered in the beginning before Petr Cajanek.

The first step at the tournament was an unpredectible team of Germany. But they were not a big problem for skilled Czechs, who outscored them 8-2, led by Jaromir Jagr (2+2). They scored four goals in power-plays, using a special lines. First was Hamrlik – Reichel, Rucinsky, Lang and Jagr. Second then Dopita`s line. Jaromir Jagr played his best tournament in the whole career for the national team.

But the eight easy goals from the opener were forgotten in the next game against Sweden. The cruel truth was revealed. The Czechs were unable to find a wheapon against a unbelievable Tommy Salo, scored only one goals by Jiri Dopita and outshooted Sweden in very convincing numbers. The Swedes were successful in work in front of Hasek and scored twince. Kim Johnsson fom blue line in power-play, then Mats Sundin after a big fault made by Michal Sykora.

In the retaliation of the Nagano semifinal battle vs. Canada, the Czech team was better again. After loss to Sweden, only the third line wasn`t changed. Insted of Hrdina played Maritn Havlat, with Reichel Milan Hejduk. The Europeans led twice, but Canadians always tied the game. Mario Lemieux scored two goals but his second one was questionnable. Hasek saved the puck but part of his body ended up in the net. The referee approved the goal. As the Czech world champion from Prague 1985 Pavel Richter said on the national TV, the red light behind the Hasek`s goal was already on when Lemieux crossed the blue line. :-)

In the most important game of the fourth-year-long period Czechs lost to Russia. The key moment was a two-men advantage at the end of the first period. No movement in front of the net could have be seen and Czech did not score. On the other side, Afinogenov scored a lucky goal and it made a difference. Chabibulin made 40 saves and Dopita`s shot was stopped by a post. On the other side also Kovalev hit the post but one goal was sufficient for the Russians.

The best player of the Czech team was Jaromir Jagr. When he had a puck nobody could také it out from him. He also added some goals and had key assists. Martin Havlat improved a lot while playing with him in one line. The best Czech defenceman was Martin Skoula. Dominik Hasek did not disappoint his fans and showed he is still one of the best goalies in the world. But his performance in Nagano is unforgettable.

Czechs could not beat the top-six opponents in the world in any of the three games. The reason was mainly in low shooting efficiency. The Czechs had also poor power plays, they were successful only against Germany. Many mistakes were made also by third defensive line Spacek – Kubina. Also the „Devil twins“ Petr Sykora – Patrik Elias did not play their usual game. They tried hard and showed a lot of enthusiasm but could score only in the first game of the tournament. Also the performance of Hrdina was not very successful. Radek Dvorak did not skate as fast as he is able of but the Czech fans were very happy with the performance of their stars. They showed great spirit and fans awarded that. Czechs cannot win all the time…

Slovakia has to play the qualification games, with or without NHL`ers, as well as some other countries. News about their pre-Olympic roster.

The executive committee of the Slovakian Ice Hockey Union approved a wide nomination of a coach Jan Filc for Winter Olympics 2002 in Salt Lake City. It consists of 22 players from North America and 22 players from Europe.

"This proposal considers a fact that Olympic Games have two parts for Slovakian hockey. The core of the first one will be made up from mostly European players and the rest will depends how many NHL`ers will be able to join the Slovak team in the qualification round. We want to keep as many places for them as possible. In the meantime we think that 16 European Slovaks will join the preparation camp in Boise and we think that 11 of them should participate at the Olympics," coach Jan Filc said and continued.

"The nomination was a complicated process. 10 Slovaks playing in Europe were certain, the rest was chosen after long discussions, analyzes and compromises because it was hard to distinct the quality of all the players.

In the first part of the tournament we count on, with key roles for five or six players from Europe who will be able to play all the games. We haev till February 8 to make the official roster of 15 players and 2 goalies. One of the missing players on the preliminary roster is Zdeno Ciger who did not say positive words about playing at the tournament but his case is still not closed. In the wide nomination there are also few players who do not have the approval from the NHL teams but we hope in a good solution of this situation. I think of Palffy, Visnovsky and Svehla. Svehla, for example, is a key player for Florida but the team has no chance to make the play-offs," Jan Filc added.

Slovakian coach also reminded that the Slovakian Ice Hockey Union, in cooperation with Slovakian Olympic Committee, created conditions that all the players who participated in the first part of the tournament, can stay till the end of the Olymics if the Slovakian team promotes to the final phase.

The preliminary Slovakian roster for Salt Lake City 2002:
Goalies: Pavol Rybar (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Miroslav Lipovský (Skalica, Slovakia), Jan Lasak (Milwaukee/Nashville), Rastislav Stana (Richmond/ECHL)
Defencemen: Richard Lintner (MoDo, Sweden), Ivan Majesky (Ilves Tampere, Finland), Dusan Milo (Zvolen, Slovakia), Richard Pavlikovsky (HV 71, Sweden), Ladislav Cierny (Ceske Budejovice, Czech Rep.), Radoslav Hecl (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Daniel Babka (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Slavomir Vorobel (HC Kosice, Slovakia), Lubomir Visnovsky (Los Angeles, NHL), Zdeno Chara (Ottawa, NHL), Radoslav Suchy (Phoenix, NHL), Robert Svehla (Florida, NHL), Lubomir Sekeras (Minnesota, NHL), Jaroslav Obsut (Colorado, NHL), Peter Smrek (NY Rangers, NHL)
Forwards: Robert Petrovicky (Ambri Piotta, Switzerland), Rastislav Pavlikovsky (HV 71, Sweden), Richard Sechny (Zvolen, Slovakia), Jaroslav Torok (Zvolen, Slovakia), Peter Pucher (Znojmo, Czech. Rep.), Robert Tomik (Sparta Praha, Czech. Rep.), Richard Kapus (Slovan Bratislava. Slovakia), Jan Pardavy (Djurgaarden, Sweden), Radovan Somik (Continental Zlin, Czech. Rep.), Lubomír Hurtaj (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Lubomir Sabol (HC Kosice, Slovakia), Peter Bondra (Washington, NHL), Pavol Demitra (St. Louis, NHL), Zigmund Pálffy (Los Angeles, NHL), Miroslav Satan (Buffalo, NHL), Jozef Stumpel (Boston, NHL), Michal Handzus (Phoenix, NHL), Marian Hossa (Ottawa, NHL), Marian Gaborik (Minnesota, NHL), Richard Zednik (Montreal, NHL).

Not everyone could be among the 44 chosen players. Marek Uram of Znojmo is not there as well as another silver medalist from St. Peterburg 2000, defenceman Martin Strbak who justy moved from Vsetin to Russia. Also Peter Bartos of Ceske Budejovice was very sad after Filc`s announcement. "Nobody contacted me. I read all the names in the Czech press. I do not play well in extraliga nowadays so that is probably the main reason," said Bartos who participated in Deutschland Cup and preseason camp of Slovakian national team. "There are worse things in life than that. I try to help my team now and I may get a chance at the World Championship if I play well," said a player who is well known for his breakaways.

Three years ago the Czech squad, led by a coach Vladimir Martinec, ended up 7th at the WJC in Winnipeg. That position became a signal for commencement of a new coach - Jaroslav Holik.

In the next two years he carried the Czech team through its best season in history of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. His team won its first two gold medals in the Czech(oslovakian) history! However, the third World Junior Championship ended in a big disappointment for the national team. The 7th place is equal to the worst position in a history...

The same age-group 1982 made the worst result ever in Czech and Czechoslovakian hockey history at WC Under `18`. The squad led by Stanislav Berger finished 6th. This year`s team mostly consisted of different players though. In goal Lukas Hronek should have starred. He stunned the Czech audience with a remarkable performance during, national team`s goalie, Roman Malek`s injury. The defence should have been led by world champion from last season Libor Ustrnul and Filip Novak. A lot was expected from Ales Hemsky, Tomas Plekanec, Jiri Hudler or Martin Podlesak on offense.

The Czechs started the tournament with a questionable game against the U.S. team and mainly Ustrnul and Novak showed poor performance in defence. The dominance in the game vs. Slovakia was spoiled when Lukas Hronek could not save an easy slow puck and then the Czech team went down psychologically and never got back again.

Coach Jaroslav Holik who is known for his unorthodox opinions, criticized a lot the quality of the Czech extraliga and the highest Czech junior competition before the tournament started. He criticized seveal players like Vsetin`s defenceman Ondrej Nemec (not good enough for international games), Karlovy Vary`s Petr Puncochar (his play is not enough physical) and Zlin`s Miroslav Blatak (what is good in Czech extraliga does not mean it is enough anywhere else). First two players were cut off the nomination, the third eventually made it and later became the best Czech defenceman in the tournament. In his speeches he relied a lot on the players coming from overseas. Six years ago it was something unheard of. At that point of time he blamed Czech hockey players for their leavings to Canada and USA and fought for the restriction not to allow them represent at WJC. After six years he recalled nine players from North America and for the first time he guaranteed them safety of their nomination. All of them should have played a key role on their way towards the final success. However, the reality was very different. Jiri Jakes sat on the bench the whole prelimination group and quarterfinals and played only in the games during the latter stages. Defenceman Tomas Mojzis played only in the 1st game from the important ones and the crucial games were played vs Sweden and Finland also without Frantisek Lukes and Martin Podlesak. Four out of nine `foreigners` sat on the bench during the crucial moments! The coaches reasoned that they discussed only one or two names when the final roster was being completed and none of these guys should have became a deciding force for this team. My opinion is that these `one or two names` played in the line-up for the whole tournament and most players from overseas were not corner-stones (Ustrnul or Chvojka) or were sidelined among five non-playing players (Mojzis, Jakes, Lukes, Podlesak). That was in contrast with what Jaroslav Holik said earlier.

The Czechs played the whole tournament with just three lines (the only exception was the unimportant game vs. USA for 5.-8. position). When the team does not play well, it is usual to spread out the play in four lines and try to find new leaders. That did not happen. Even against Belarus the Czechs have played with three lines till the final whistle. The coaches argued that last year the Czechs played the whole tournament only with three lines and it was the main reason the Czechs won it. My opinion is that the coaches should have used four lines not later then after bad performance against the USA in the opener or at least during the second spoiled game against Slovakia. The team was lacking sharp shooting, needed to calm down and new players could be improve the shooting percentage.

Coach Holik also sharply criticized its players during the tournament. He started with the level of Czech hockey leagues and abilities of the players, then he blamed players that lacked heart and shun off hard work and showed a bad attitude. My opinion is that provoking is a good thing and critics often helps to make performance better. But it is not good to blame players that they did not put their heart in the game against Sweden or Finland. The Czech Extraliga is according to The Hockey News, a respectable Canadian hockey magazine, the best hockey league in Europe. Before this season many players left it for overseas or for other leagues in Europe (mainly Russia, Finland etc). This has helped many young players, who would otherwise play in junior leagues, to extraliga line-ups. There are many national team Under `20` players in the Czech extraliga. In Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, but also e.g. in France most of the national team players play only in junior leagues and lack experience from the top level. Some Czech players at the tournament were also disappointed from the coach`s words and did not understand it.

Before end of this story there`s one more note to make, to the fairness of the tournament. Coach Jaroslav Holik always speaks about it, but fair-play cried this time... After the first Czech game a very shady thing happened in the Czech team. A goalie Petr Sulan was claimed to be injured and was replaced by Lukas Hronek who had a flu before the tournament and was initially not in the roster. Petr Sulan could be seen after the practice in a good shape and Petr Sulan did not leave practice because of the injury as the Czech PR manager said. Petr Sulan finished the whole practice until it it ended and could be seen after the practice in a good shape. Hronek became No.1 Czech goalie for the rest of the tournament.

A well-organized tournament, which was, considering the level of organization, no worse than World Senior Championship 2001 in Germany, brought a bad result for the home team for the third time in a row. The time for comeback of a new Czech team with Jaroslav Holik, who was confirmed to stay a coach for one more years, is scheduled to Halifax. -ada & misha-

The head coach of the Czech national team Josef Augusta said that he would recall four or five players from Europe for the Olympics. The rest of the team will be costinsted of the NHL players. The hottest candidates for the "European" spots are Petr Cajanek from Continental Zlin, Michal Sykora from IPB Pojistovna Pardubice, and duo from Russian Avangard Omsk Martin Prochazka and Pavel Patera. Josef Beranek had also good Olympic chance but he was more that one month on a injury list. Last week, Jaromir Jagr was named the captain of the Czech Olympic Team and it was announced that Petr Svoboda and Martin Straka will miss the Salt Lake City tournament due to their injury. No. 1 goalie should be again Dominik Hasek, No. 2 should be Roman Turek. Flyer Roman Cechmanek said he is not sure about his participation at the tournament. -ada-

Fastly becoming one of Scotland`s if not the UK`s most popular post season tournament for UN 12S UN14S & UN 16S - http://www.lynnpollockcup.com

Denmark won Hamar tournament and foudn a rising form again. The two newcomers in world elite, Poland and Slovenia, saw the challenge facing them as they were beaten by division 1 teams... Slovenia in particular had three heavy defeats -jb- Scores : DEN-POL 3-2, NOR-SLO 7-0, POL-SLO 4-2, NOR-DAN 2-4, DAN-SLO 6-2, NOR-POL 2-1.

The "tournoi des Alpes" in Grenoble saw a clear victory of Latvians. It`s a relief for Swedish coach Curt Lindström, because its first steps with Latvia`s national team were disappointing in late August. With a much more experienced team than in last WC (division 1), France could take the second place. Without their "oriundi" (the dual nationals don`t want to play the selection as they are considered as foreigners in the national league), Italy had hard times and saw the gap between their young players and the world elite. Scores : AUT-ITA 4-2, FRA-LET 1-4, FRA-ITA 5-0, AUT-LET 2-4, FRA-AUT 4-1, ITA-LET 0-5.

One name among the participants of the third round of the Continental Cup is very surprizing : indeed no one would have expected Anglet to win the tournament they organized in the previous round. Last year they were very strong links between the players, and the squad around veteran defenceman Denis Perez reached the final. But at the end of the season the players demanded the departure of their coach Karlos Gordovil, claiming he wasn`t good enough to lead them. In fact Gordovil didn`t support the players in their strike during the league semi-final (an unsportsmanlike conduct according to him and to most people - see last season review of French league) and a clash occurred at this time. But the council of the club decided to trust the trainer (the players do not have to choose their coach, they argued) and most of the players decided to leave. There was a disappointed reaction from the fans, because the last Basque players, like captain Lionel Bilbao to Mulhouse, left the team, which began the new season with many heavy defeats and a last spot in the league. But the Continental Cup, which was their first European appearance, came as a miracle : they first defeated Grenoble and Herning. Then nobody expected they would beat favourites from Sheffield. But they won 4-3 against the British club and qualified for the semi-final round. From now on, this victory didn`t help them much in the league though : they are still in the last place. -jb-

The symbol of the Czech hockey success of the last years, Pavel Patera, made agreement with Minnesota Wild about cancelling of his contract. He did not get any chances in the preparation games and was sent to the farm team. He left the U.S.A. and arrived at the Prague airport on Tuesday. He signed a contract with HC Vitkovice a year ago but the team cannot afford to pay his salary in this season. His extraleague rights are owned by former Vsetin management whose leader Roman Zubik was arrested several months ago. At this point it is believed that Patera will play somewhere in Europe but outside the Czech Republic. There are rumours about his comeback to Swedish club AIK Stockholm.

Finnish star player of the Montréal Canadiens Saku Koivu has been diagnosed with cancer cells in his abdomen. As he came back from Finland yesterday, he felt sick and was vomiting during the flight. The cancer has been revealed today, but its exact nature will need further analyses. The news shocked the hockey world, fans and players have expressed their sympathy, including Mario Lemieux who passed through a similar affliction : "Being informed you get cancer is much frightening. As far as I`m concerned, I spoke a lot with the doctors to get informed, and after two days I was more positive. [...] He will go through moments of discouragement. It`s very hard physically and mentally. But I played against Koivu and I know he never gives up. I hope he`ll have the same determination in this new fight." -jb-

The tournament in Pieštany, Slovakia, was easily won by the local team. The attack led by Pardavý, Pucher, Hlinka or Podkonický scored twelve goals, and the defense around Martin Štrbák let only two goals. Pavol Rybár could be satisfied with two shut-outs. France, without Huet, Barin, Briand and the Rozenthal brothers, took a good second place. Contrary to the last World Championships, the new generation led by Guillaume Besse and Jonathan Zwikel took the responsibilities in scoring. Germany and Slovenia finished with one point, the goal-average giving the third spot to Hans Zach`s team. If the result is disappointing, the German coach intended more to try young players, which obvously lacked of experience and also of efficiency. A good opportunity for prospects like goalie Leonhard Wild, defenceman Alexander Dück or forwards Boris Blank, Eduard Lewandowski and Manuel Kofler to meet international level. The Kazakh-born duo transferred from Wilhelmshaven to the Eisbären Berlin faced a heel injury (Blank) and a match penalty (Lewandowski) in the last game. Regarding Slovenia, which came with a full team, they know how hard their task will be in Pool A. The results : FRA-GER 2-1, SVK-SLO 5-2, SVK-FRA 3-0, GER-SLO 1-1, SLO-FRA 0-3, SVK-GER 4-0. -jb-

The Berlin Capitals, which have collected a huge debt of 22 million DM (12 000 000 euros), could eventually remain the sixteenth club in the DEL. But they have been penalized for their disastrous management by the German Elite League during its general assembly on August 29 : they got a 100 000 DM fine and a penalty of 6 points. That won`t help them to avoid the relegation which has been re-established this year as the DEL and the Federation cleared their problems. "Trainer of the year" Gunnar Leidborg will have a good opportunity to prove its qualities. The main part of the roster has vanished, some of them with huge unpaid bills, others just because the Capitals will have a much weaker that announced when they signed. That`s the case of Rikard Franzen (from AIK Stockholm) who signed in Bern despite his contract with Berlin and will be sued by the Capitals. -jb-

After the challenge for the eight hundred years of the foundation of Riga last week (winner : Dynamo Moscow), the main international pre-season tournaments started this week-end.

In Le Sentier (Switzerland), the Coupe Horlogère was won by Czech team Plzen, who defeated Slovan Bratislava in the final (5-2). Much attention was paid to the results of promoted Lausanne (who thrashed relegated La Chaux-de-Fonds 8-2 for the 5th place but was too far from Fribourg and Plzen) and of Ambrì-Piotta. Now coached by Rotislav Cada, this team which turned away from Canadian to Czechoslovak play will ice this season a very impressive first line with Marco Bayer and Martin Stepanek in defence, Tomáš Vlasák, Robert Petrovický and Alain Demuth in offense. Indeed Petrovický was elected best player of the tournament, but we could see against Slovan (muscle problem for Vlasák and major penalty against Petrovický) that Ambrì will have to prey to keep this line full, without injuries.

In Umeå Hockeyfestival, IFK Helsinki was disappointing and came back without a win. The tournament was won by Ak Bars Kazan in front of MoDo thanks to the goal-average.

In the Marski Cup, in Mikkeli, Finland, the Jokerit Helsinki did much better than their rivals from Finnish capital as they defeated Tappara Tampere 4-3 in the final.

In the annual tournament of Anschutz-owned teams (the Coupe du Crédit Suisse in Geneva), four teams got four points, but goal-average between the four gave the Sparta Prag the second tournament win of the week-end for Czech Republic. Philippe Bozon, which had been fired by Lugano (he has still been blamed for the penalties called against him in crucial times in the play-off finals during the two last seasons and some teammates didn`t appreciate him anymore), had no other choice than joining Geneva Servette - some weeks after claiming he would never play for them. He is now fit in his new team. By far the best scorer of the tournament (3 goals and 4 assists in four games played in 2 x 20 minutes), he has also been elected best player by Los Angeles Kings (NHL Anschutz franchise) coaches and scouts.

His former team is also in very good form as HC Lugano won the Mercure Cup in Nuremberg in front of the local team and of Litvinov, the only Czech "loser" of the week-end on international front. -jb-

Acording the prestigeus magazine The Hockey News, The Czech extraliga was considered to be the best European hockey league. In spite of the fact many stars left for the NHL after the 1999/00 season. A year later, Czechs defended their World Championship title and therefore another big sell out came again.

Two biggest losses for the Czech hockey fans are the uncrowned kings of the Czech extraliga - national team captain Robert Reichel, who was traded from Phoenix to Toronto and immediately signed a new contract, and also probably the best player outside the NHL, Jiri Dopita who will join his big friend from Vsetin Roman Cechmanek, in Philadelphia. Dopita kept resistant long time towards the NHL but did accept a great offer from Flyers - two year contract for 3.3 million of dollars.

More world champions are heading for NHL though. Radek Martinek, one of the best defenceman from Hannover, signed a new contract with New York Islanders and Pilsen goalie Dusan Salficky became part of the same organization. Both signed one-way contracts. Litvinov defenceman Karel Pilar who was a great surprise of WC 2001, will join Robert Reichel in Toronto.

Other national team players who did not make a World Championship rosters are heading for NHL. A defenceman Ales Pisa, who missed the championship probably only because of the disciplimary punishment for hitting the linesman in anger, signed a contract with Edmonton and Kamil Piros will try to make a roster of Atlanta. A young winger from Ceske Budejovice, Ales Kotalik, signed a last minute contract with Buffalo. And Tomas Zizka, who was a part of famous Zlin defense coached by Czech prominent defenceman and world champion from 1985 Antonin Stavjana, signed a deal with Los Angeles Kings. A big boom of Czech goalies in NHL touched besides Salficky also Martin Prusek from Vitkovice who signed two-way contract with Ottawa Senators. Martin Paroulek from Vsetin was one of the first Czechs who signed a contract with NHL team for the next season. He will play for Columbus Blue Jackets. Even earlier and also much more money were offered to big center and two times world junior champion Vaclav Nedorost by Colorado. Nedorost participated with the team already on their way towards their Stanly Cup victory but did not play in any game.

Many "no senior national team name" youngsters also moved towards Atlantic ocean. Young goalie Michal Lanicek who played mostly in the second Czech league will start on the farm of Tampa Bay Lightning. Sparta forward Michal Sivek, also two time world junior champion will fight for a spot to play under Ivan Hlinka in Pittsburgh.

Also two Slovaks will leave Czech extraliga for NHL. Robert Dome from Kladno signed a two-way contract with Pittsburgh Penguins where he already played for several seasons and a youngster Andrej Nedorost, who surprisingly made a Slovak WC roster will join the columbus organization.

Three Czechs will join NHL also from different European leagues. Jaroslav Bednar signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles Kings but is willing to play even in the farm and the future of Marek Zidlicky was not announced in the Czech Republic yet but according to some Finnish news he already signed a deal with New York Rangers. From Swedish Timra IK Robert Schnabel is moving towards country music capital - Nashville. -ada-

Czech hockey star and the author of the last goal in the World Championship in Vienna 1996, where the Czech Republic won the gold medals, Jiri Kucera who spent the autumn of his career in Swedish club Lulea Bears ended up his playing career two months ago due to his back injury. However, he will not stay out of the ice hockey world. He tries to find a new center in the Czech Republic for his former team in Lulea (he is not very successful yet though). But what is more, he was named a new coach of the newcomer in the Czech third league - TJ Klatovy! Klatovy is no smaller city than Vsetin, 6 times Czech champion in last years but Klatovy does not have the same ambitions. Klatovy came one league higher due to the increasing number of third league teams. Kucera wants to teach himself to be a coach though, Klatovy gives him a good chance to do it because it is only 40 kilometers from his born place - Pilsen where he spent all his "Czech" seasons and where he lives. -ada-

The coach of Olympic champion, Ivan Hlinka, meantime the head coach of Pittsburgh Penguins, declined the offer to defend the Olympic title as a head coach.

Hlinka said it is unfair to the present head coach Josef Augusta, who is having such great success with the Czech national team in last years. After Hlinka left for coaching Pittsburgh, Augusta won two gold medals at the world championships with the Czech Republic.

Augusta, who was an assistant coach in Nagano 1998, will also coach the Czechs in Salt Lake City. He chose Vladimir Martinec and Vladimir Ruzicka to be his assistants. Vladimir Martinec has worked with the team as an assistant for many years. He was part of the team in Nagano and in all of the last three gold world championship. Vladimir Ruzicka was a captain of the national team in Nagano and now coaches an extraliga team Slavia Prague. This year was his first year as a coach and he brought to Slavia its greatest success in its history - fourth place.

Ivan Hlinka will be with the team in Salt Lake City as a general manager. The present GM, Frantisek Cernik, will be his assistant. The other assistant coach from Nagano 1998, Slavomir Lener, who works as an assistant coach in Florida Panthers, was not invited to join the Czech team at the Olympics. Josef Augusta will announce the final nomination for the Olympics on December 20, 2001.
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In spite of more than 40 years of brotherhood between Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia there was no Czech hockey player in history ever playing Russian league. Now a big expansion towards the east border started. Vladimir Vujtek sr. became the first foreign coach in Russian Superliga history, he will coach Lokomotiv Jaroslavl and brought with himself a player Jan Peterek, who played in Havirov last season. Also Vitkovice No. 2 goalie Jiri Trvaj might leave his team for Jaroslavl. A big hit came from Ak-Bars Kazan. Near Czech German Jan Benda two players from Czech extraleague moves there - Slovak former national team player Jozef Dano (former Trinec player) and Russian defenceman Dmitrij Jerofejev who played for Vitkovice. Kazan is also interested in Tomas Vlasak who plays for HPK Hameenlinna. Vlasak received an offer for 600 000 dollars for the upcoming season and HPK Hameenlinna already bought a substitute for him - Tomas Kucharcik from Pori. New corner-stone of Avangaard Omsk will be in upcoming season Jaroslav Kames. He won the Czech title with setin in the 2000/01 season.
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Mika Alatalo, who played two previous seasons in Phoenix Coyotes, returns to Turku TPS. He made 3-year contract with the club. He brings a lot of experience to a quit young team. His native club Kärpät Oulu was also after him. -Jaza-