The ‘Czech’ mate was completed by using Koffer’s strategy.
The Prince George Cougar sparked the upset of the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships to date by potting the eventual game-winning goal for his Czech Republic team en route to a 2-0 shut out of the Russians and nabbing the country’s first win of the Edmonton bubble tournament.
The 19-year-old Cougars’ import left-winger was skating well behind Jakub Rychlovsky, who was deep in the offensive zone after grabbing a loose puck.
He then tapped his stick really hard, catching Rychlovsky’s ear.
He then looked back and made a perfect pass for Koffer to take a slap shot with authority and put the puck past Russian goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
.@PGCougars’ Filip Koffer scores to give 🇨🇿 a 1-0 lead 🆚 🇷🇺 late in the middle period in his country’s 2nd game of the 2021 World Jr.’s! The 4th-liner takes a drop pass & fires the puck past the goaltender | #CityOfPG #WorldJuniors @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/RBGKF5GflB
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 28, 2020
Koffer’s goal came with 3:22 left in the second period for his first World Junior point in his second-ever appearance at the Under-20 level.
Even more amazing, the Hradec Kralove product is on the fourth line for the Czechs.
“All the other players on our team, they’ve filled the roles they were given and they played it well,” said Czech Republic Head Coach Karel Mlejnek via a translator when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters about Koffer’s efforts Sunday night (Dec. 27).
“It wasn’t an easy game for us but everyone did their part. Filip is a very hardworking guy. He’s a power forward that every coach wants to have on his team and we’re happy to have him.”
Mlejnek adds he's grateful that Koffer & other Czechs on the U20 roster this year have some experience on North American soil, who have helped the home-based players adapt to the challenge | #CityOfPG #WorldJuniors @PGMatters
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 28, 2020
Koffer was the final cut from the Czechs’ 2020 World Junior team, but managed to impress Coach Mlejnek for this year’s event and was likely based on his grittiness to play where he’s needed.
In the victory over Russia, Koffer played the fourth-most minutes for his home country at 17:43, including 7:49 in the third period (second-highest), and most of those were on the penalty-killing unit.
The coaching staff has made good use of Koffer’s ability on special teams, including killing off the final 44 seconds of Sunday’s contest while on a six-on-four.
While he may have scored a goal and has been a pivotal player for the Czechs through their first two games, the idea of a promotion may be out of the question.
At least for now.
“It doesn’t matter where he plays for our team,” said Mlejnek.
“We stated before the championships that we have to play as a team and for Filip, it doesn’t matter where he plays. We have a team that is built on roles and he’s filling his role perfectly.”
In the opening match on Boxing Day (Dec. 26), which resulted in a 7-1 fall to Sweden, Koffer was the busiest fourth-liner as well, accumulating 14:38 of ice time and averaging 32 seconds a shift.
This was bumped up significantly against Russia to 48 seconds per shift.
The win tonight likely seals a quarter-final spot for the Czech Republic, but it also throws a wrench in potential seating for some of the ‘powerhouse’ nations.
😍🦁🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/gDzlorxnxu
— Hokejový nároďák (@narodnitym) December 28, 2020
Prior to the World Juniors, Koffer had tallied 37 points in three other major international events for blue- and white-crested lion, including 14 goals and 23 helpers.
Group ‘B’ has three teams with a 1-1 record and a tie for second.
Next up for Koffer and the ‘Czech’ mates is the Americans on Tuesday (Dec. 29) at 11 a.m. Pacific time after a day of rest tomorrow (Dec. 28).
Group 'B' standings after games on Dec. 27, 2020 at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships, which includes the Czech Republic and Prince George Cougars' Filip Koffer. By IIHF
