NAGANO, Japan -- Czech defenseman Petr Svoboda had tears in his eyes as the shiny gold medal was slipped around his neck. Goaltender Dominik Hasek held his medal up for the crowd at Big Hat arena -- and all the hockey world -- to see.
"It's unbelievable," Martin Rucinsky said, clutching a bottle of champagne. "I can't even say anything now. I've got the gold medal. I'm the most happiest person in the world."
In the first Olympic hockey tournament to showcase NHL stars, the Czech Republic -- which had the fewest current NHL players, 11, of the six "dream teams" -- stole the show from the Canadians, Americans and Swedes. Backing the remarkable goaltending of Hasek with selflessness and solid team defense, the Czechs won the first gold medal in their country's Olympic history with a 1-0 victory over Russia yesterday, a historic ending to a historic tournament.
"I don't know who was the more talented team, if Russia or we were," Hasek said. "But the focus we had was very important, and I think that's why we win the game.
"I don't even know if we get a bonus for this. I play for the country where the coaches taught me to play hockey. It was one of my last chances to win something big."
They won it because Hasek frustrated the United States, Canada and Russia in succession in the playoffs, allowing two goals in the three games and thwarting Canada five times in the tie-breaking shootout in the semifinal. Svoboda's goal at 8: 08 of the third period was all the Czechs needed yesterday, as Hasek made 20 saves and improved his goals-against average to 0.97 in six games.
"I said he's the best goalie in the world and I still think so," said Russian center Sergei Fedorov.
Czech Republic .. ..0 .. ..0 .. ..1 .. ..-- .. ..1
Russia .. .. .. .. .0 .. ..0 .. ..0 .. ..-- .. ..0
First period--None.
Second period--None.
Third period--1, Czech Republic, P. Svoboda (P. Patera, M. Prochazka), 8: 08.
Shots on goal--Czech Republic 6-5-10--21. Russia 9-6-5--20. Goalies--Czech Republic, D. Hasek (20-20). Russia, M. Shtalenkov (21-20). A--10,010.
Pub Date: 2/23/98
