Sports News Czechs lose in ice hockey quarter-finals at Winter Olympics
Richard Smehlik, Photo CTK
The Czech ice hockey team have been knocked out in the quarter-finals at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics - they were beaten 1:0 by Russia on Wednesday night.
The Czechs had an incredible 41 shots on goal blocked by he outstanding Russian goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. The game ended in thrilling style with Khabibulin stopping shots by Jagr, Elias and Sykora.
The Czech manager Josef Augusta had this to say after the game.
"We had a very strong team. You all saw yourselves how much they wanted to do it, how motivated they were. Somebody has to lose in the quarter-finals and it was us. But I think after a performance like that the players have nothing to be ashamed of. We lacked that little bit of luck you need in sport."
Domink Hasek, Photo CTK
Player Robert Reichel expressed similar sentiments.
"Unfortunately we didn't get a goal - goals are what counts, not chances. If it had gone our way once or twice we'd have won the game. We just didn't have luck on our side today."
After the game the Czech goaltender Dominik Hasek, who is 37, announced he was retiring from international ice hockey.
