The head coach of the Czech Republic, Kari Jalonen, did not want to explain the loss in the quarterfinals with injuries to the top centers.
Simo Arkko,
Henri Pitkänen
Finnish coach Kari Jalonen The Czech Republic had no chances in the quarterfinals of the Ice Hockey World Cup against the United States. The United States advanced to the semifinals with a 3–0 win.
Jalonen stepped in front of the media disappointed about three minutes after the end of the match.
– Yes, I feel quite disappointed here, Jalonen summed up for Urheilu.
– When we look at the three games, yes, our story is that we scored two goals against Switzerland, one against Canada and none today, he lamented.
“There are no excuses”
According to Jalonen, the Czech Republic was under the opponent’s hair in all the games, and the team no longer had the energy to attack.
– We have carried a little on both ends.
– In this profession, you have to respect the result. I also told the players that they are trained to win, but you still have to appreciate the result that came today.
The Czech tournament was difficult. The team already suffered big losses in the early stages, when the NHL attackers Filip Chytil and Lukas Sedlak had to leave the tournament due to injuries.
– Well, there are no excuses. But it’s clear, when the first and second center went down, it affected our process as well.
– We had to rebuild the number one and two chains and the roles changed at the same time. I don’t want to explain. With these men, what we had, we should have been able to make a result.
Your contract will continue and next year the Czech Republic will have a home competition. Your position has been discussed in the Czech media and they like to create criticism and drama about anything. How worried are you about your own position right now?
– I’m not worried at all. They make the decisions that do. I shouldn’t speculate about that.
– Even yesterday I told the media here that if I start speculating, I’ll still be speculating those rumors at midnight.
Jalonen did not want to comment on coaching in the home games to other Finnish journalists either.
– I’m not going to comment on it in any way. My confidence is irrelevant.
When Jalose was asked about his desire to continue, he continued his meager line.
– I have a valid contract. I won’t speculate any further.
The Czech Republic was at the bottom
The Czech Republic had big problems in the match, especially in the opening set, when the United States, who created difficulties with their place changes, took a 1-0 lead Matt Coronaton on the finish line.
In the second set, the Czech Republic created spins, but did not get the reward. Instead, the United States increased the lead By Nick Perbix with an easy stroke.
The Czech Republic was not even close to the required level. The final solution struck Cutter Gauthier in time 49.57.
The World Cup was Jalose’s second as head coach of the Czech Republic. Last year, the country won bronze in Tampere.