Archive: Sport | Ice-hockey

Twenty years since Nagano, the Czech hockey team has again edged the United States in the men’s quarterfinal at the Winter Olympics. At these games, it was a close affair, with the match coming down to a penalty shootout.

Ester Ledecká stuns world with gold in super-G for greatest ever Czech success in downhill skiing; Czech medals tally in Pyeongchang up to six with bronze for Erbanová in speed skating 500m; Kvitová returns to top 10 with Qatar victory; and leaders Plzeň draw in first round after winter break.

Doctors have confirmed that Czech hockey star Jaromír Jágr suffered a concussion following a hard hit by Havířov’s Marek Sikora in a game on Saturday but escaped more serious injury.

Jágr lay on the ice for a long moment after being checked from behind and against the boards. iDnes reported that his tongue fell back after he hit his head in the fall.

A stretcher was called for but Jágr was able to eventually get back on his feet. He is now in recovery.

The Czech ice hockey team defeated Canada 3-2 in penalty shooutouts in their second group match against Canada at the Winter Olympics on Friday night.

Although Canada won the shots battle by a 33-21 margin, Czech goaltender Pavel Francouz made 31 saves and allowed just one goal in the shootout. Striker Jan Kovář scored the game-winning shootout goal for the Czech Republic.

The Czech team next face Switzerland in the final game of the preliminary round on Sunday.

Jaromír Jágr was one of the stars of the Czech squad that took ice hockey gold at the Nagano Olympics, which began 20 years ago on Wednesday. The veteran forward admits playing again at this year’s Olympics did cross his mind – and says the absence of NHL players increases Czech chances of repeating the famous victory of 1998.

Kvitová climbs rankings after 21st title in St. Petersburg; Jágr makes three assists in first game for Kladno; Liberec retires local born Petr Nedvěd’s jersey; national ice hockey team make final Olympics preparations in Prague; and ovations for Rosický on return to Arsenal.

Montreal Canadiens’ forward Tomáš Plekanec has become the 14th Czech in the history to clinch a milestone 600 points in his NHL career. The 35-year-old center, who has been with the Canadiens his entire NHL career, got an assist on the Habs’ third goal against Ottawa. The final score ended was 4:1 for Montreal.

The team, in sixth spot in the Atlantic division, has won its last two games.

The Czech ice hockey legend Jaromír Jágr will on Saturday make his first appearance for Kladno since signing for his hometown club on Wednesday, following his return from the NHL.

Despite knee problems, the 45-year-old will take to the ice in a second-flight clash with Benátky nad Jizerou. The game has been switched from the latter’s stadium to Liberec due to demand for tickets.

Lining up for Benátky nad Jizerou should be another veteran ice hockey star, Petr Nedvěd. Nedvěd, who played in the NHL for 15 seasons, is 46.

Jaromír Jágr has made his first public appearance since news of his return to his hometown club Kladno sparked a wave of Jágrmania in the Czech Republic. Speaking to a scrum of journalists on Thursday, the ice hockey superstar discussed where things had gone wrong for him in the NHL this season – and said he would do his best to satisfy Kladno’s supporters.

In ice hockey, Jaromír Jágr confirmed that he will take the ice for the Kladno Knights on Saturday in the first division against Benátky nad Jizerou.

Jágr, who returned from Canada on Wednesday, took part in training with his new team for the first time on Thursday. He said the around 45 minute session hurt him more than expected.

Jágr said he is keen to make a start for his home town club as soon as possible so that he can take part in the end of season play offs for promotion to the top Czech league if they get that far. Jágr, 45, returned to the Czech Republic after his stint playing for the Calgary Flames in the NHL came to an end.