Five Washington Capitals players went toe-to-toe in the bronze medal game of 2019 IIHF World Championship: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dmitry Orlov for Team Russia and Jakub Vrana and Dmitrij Jaskin for the Czech Republic.
The Russians would be victorious in the shootout.
By Ian Oland 4 years ago
Jakub Vrana is involved in some World Championship drama similar to an ordeal Evgeny Kuznetsov endured involving Hockey Night In Canada analyst Don Cherry during the regular season. Cherry called Kuzy a “jerk” for his bird celebration.
Marek Sykora, an expert for iSport.cz, said in an interview after the World Championship preliminary round ended that Jakub Vrana “doesn’t work enough.” He added, “I can see [his] celebrity manners.” Vrana had 5 points in 7 group stage games, including 4 goals.
Thursday, in the World Championship quarterfinals, Vrana was inexplicably scratched ahead of the Czech Republic’s game against Germany. An anonymous member of the Czech media explained the benching saying that Vrana is a “dick” – a personal insult that may leave many Caps fans scratching their heads.
Vrana, of course, has shown class during the spat.
By Ian Oland 4 years ago
The Czech Republic took their team photo Saturday in Slovakia.
And ya bois Jakub Vrana and Dmitrij Jaskin were full participants.
Capitals forward Dmitrij Jaskin was inches away from scoring a hat trick in the Czech Republic’s 8-0 beatdown of Italy.
Jaskin scored the Czech Republic’s fifth and seventh goals and also registered a primary assist on a fluke tally by Radko Gudas.
“Well, you know, it’s always nice to score,” Jaskin said after the game. “It finally came. Everybody is going to feel a little better about themselves after the game.”
The Czech Republic improved to 4-1 in the tournament and are tied for first in Group B.
Jakub Vrana was the best player on the ice in the Czech Republic’s surprising 5-2 throttling of Team Sweden. The Capitals forward scored twice, including a memorable goal on his first career World Championship shift. His second goal, a breath-taking breakaway tally, clinched the game for the Czechs.
Sweden had won 17 consecutive World-Championship games coming into Friday.
Jakub Vrana had a career year in Washington, scoring 24 goals and tallying 47 points in 82 games. Vrana’s scintillating season is continuing in Bratislava.
Vrana scored on his first career shift with the senior Czech Republic national team, beating Henrik Lundqvist on a one-timer.
The young Czech forward was named to the national team on April 29 along with Capitals forward Dmitrij Jaskin. Vrana did not play in any of the tuneup Carlson Hockey Games, potentially nursing a nagging injury.
By Ian Oland 4 years ago
Capitals restricted free agent Dmitrij Jaskin scored in one of the Czech Republic’s final tuneups ahead of the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
The Czech Republic defeated Team Sweden 3-0. Jaskin scored the game winner. Capitals top-six forward Jakub Vrana was held out of the lineup.
A few days after it was announced that Jakub Vrana had been named to the Czech National Team for the 2019 IIHF World Championship, the winger joined the team in his home country for a Euro Hockey Tour practice.
The official Czech Hockey twitter account posted a photo Friday morning.
By Cara Bahniuk 4 years ago
Capitals forwards Jakub Vrana and Dmitrij Jaskin were named to the Czech National Team for the 2019 IIHF World Championship on Monday.
“Coach Miloš Říha announced more overseas reinforcements today,” the Czech national team Twitter said Monday morning. “Filip Hronek, Jakub Vrána and Dmitry Jaškin! 🦁🇨🇿”
By Ian Oland 4 years ago
Early Monday, the Czech Republic announced their roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
While hockey legend Jaromir Jagr was not extended an invite, the Czech Republic national team will feature several players with NHL experience, including two who used to play for the Capitals.
Former Caps forward Martin Erat will captain the Czechs while former Capitals and Hershey Bears stalwart Tomáš Kundrátek was named one of eight defensemen to the team.
Other notables include Michal Jordan, who played 78 games for the Carolina Hurricanes over three NHL seasons, and Roman Cervenka (39 games for the Calgary Flames in 2013).
