Yes its that time of the year again and the hockey playoffs have begun in the Czech Republic, all eight teams were in action on Wednesday night. We also take a look at the NHL where Milan Hejduk continues to produce. These stories and more in sports.
First round of hockey playoffs begin
Pardubice beat Znojmo 2-1, photo: CTK
Eight teams were in action last night in the first game of the first round of the hockey playoffs. Pardubice, who came in first place in the regular season faced Znojmo at home. Although Pardubice won the match 2-1 it was not easy, Znojmo's tough defense and hard hitting players forced Pardubice to work hard for the win. Trinec beat Vitkovice 3-2 in what should prove to be a high scoring series seeing that the top five point producers in the regular season are on both teams. Both Prague teams were also in action last night, Sparta beat Ceske Budejovice 3-1 at home to a disappointing turnout of only 4,000 fans. And Slavia easily beat six time league winners Vsetin 2-0.
Milan Hejduk and Roman Cechmanek continue to surge in the NHL
Milan Hejduk (right), photo: CTK
Milan Hejduk added three assists in Colorado's 3-1 romp over the Florida Panthers, extending his point streak to an amazing 20 games. Petr Sykora added a goal as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks beat the struggling Montreal Canadians 3-1. Goaltender Roman Cechmanek made 41 saves as the Philadelphia Flyers blanked the high powered Vancouver Canucks 3-0. Cechmanek added his fourth shutout of the season and 18th of his career, the goalie is now unbeaten in seven games.
Jaromir Jagr owes more then three million US dollars in unpaid taxes
A newspaper in the Czech Republic reported that star winger Jaromir Jagr of the Washington Capitals owes more then 95 million Czech crowns or over three million US dollars in unpaid taxes in the United Sates. The paper states that Internal Revenue Service of the United States has passed the case on to the courts.
Cyclist Jan Svorada wins first leg of the Murcia Tour
Jan Svorada, photo: CTK
To cycling now and Jan Svorada has repeated his feat of last year, winning the 162km first stage of the Tour of Murcia between Murcia and Ceuti in the south-east of Spain. Svorada edged out German sprint ace Erik Zabel in the mass sprint.
Skoda unveils new WRC Fabia
Skoda Auto has announced the replacement of its World Rally Car Octavia to that of the new WRC Fabia which is expected to debut around the half way point of this year. The compact hatchback is a massive 2 seconds a kilometre quicker on asphalt than the outgoing Octavia.
