Washington Capitals: Dmitrij Jaskin and Jakub Vrana Connect for Final Goal in Czech Republic Win
Washington Capitals forwards Jakub Vrana and Dmitrij Jaskin were at it again in the IIHF Worlds.
Representing their home country, the Czech Republic, on Sunday in the IIHF World Championship, the Czechs picked up another big win in the chase for first place in Group B.
This victory was a big 8-0 shutout over Austria. The Czechs are in the same group as Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Team Russia, who has tore it up in Words and is undefeated heading into Sunday’s game against Switzerland.
Radek Faska and Dominik Kubalik scored in the first period to give the Czechs a 2-0 lead after 20. They built that lead to 5-0 after two on goals from Domink Simon, Michal Repik, and Michael Frolik.
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In the third Repik added his second goal of the game and Jan Kolar made it 7-0.
Vrana’s goal came at 14:59 of the third period. Faksa got the puck off a turnover, fed it to Jaskin and quickly found Vrana. Vrana glided down and shot a wrister into the net under the glove of Austria goalie Lukas Herzog. Vrana’s wrist shot came from the left face-off circle.
“In games like this we just have to play our systems and prepare for the upcoming games. We have a pretty good defense behind us and we’re just trying to play our best hockey,” Vrana told the media after the game.
“It doesn’t matter if we win 8-0 or 1-0, we just want to keep getting the wins and reach the quarterfinals in the best position we can.”
This was a game in which the Czechs simply dominated. They outshot Austria 39-16. That goal by Vrana was his only shot of the game. Vrana played in 21 shifts for an 11:43 ice-time with +2. Jaskin played 13:40 for 20 shifts and finished with a +2 as well.
Jaskin and Vrana will be restricted free agents when the NHL offseason is in fully swing shortly after either the Sharks, Blues or Bruins lift the Stanley Cup. It’s been clear that re-signing Jakub Vrana is number one on the Capitals’ to-do list.
What about Jaskin though? His future in Washington is uncertain after just one appearance after the trade for Carl Hagelin. He’s certainly a great player and he’s also exemplified that on the international stage so who knows what could happen?
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One thing is for sure, the storyline of both the Czech Republic and Russia, and Capitals players on both of those teams, fighting for first place in Group B is something to keep an eye on.