You know what they always say: If you can’t tip the puck in with your stick, use your face.
Alright. Maybe that isn’t a common catchphrase in hockey, but it might gain some momentum after Jachym Kondelik’s second period tally for the Czech Republic in their Group A clash with Russia at the World Junior Hockey Championship on Friday night.
With his side down 2-0, Kondelik was standing in front of the Russian net during a power play for his side. The puck made its way to the point and his teammate David Kvasnicka fired a blast in his direction.
That’s when the Czech team temporarily became a human pinball machine.
The puck was tipped by Jan Hladonik of the Czech Republic before catching Kondelik in the chin, flying up in the air and rolling behind Russian goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov — exactly how they drew it up.
The 2018 fourth-round pick of the Nashville Predators was in some obvious discomfort after the tally. At that moment, it would have been good to remind him that pain is temporary, but results are forever.
Unfortunately, the first of the tournament for Kondelik didn’t provide the Czechs with the (face)lift they needed.
Russia held on the rest of the way to win the contest 2-1.
That begs quite the question. Which hurt more for Kondelik: the shot to the mouth or seeing his side give up a couple of shorthanded goals in the loss?
