After a 4-3 win over Slovakia in Tuesday's elimination round, the Czech Republic advanced to a quarterfinal matchup with Team USA on Wednesday, and will turn once again to goaltender Ondrej Pavelec as their starting goaltender.
Pavelec, who stopped 29 of 32 shots in the win over Slovakia, improved his record to 2-1-0-0 since being benched earlier in the tournament, and, more importantly, has posted a .923 save percentage in those three starts.
However, recent history suggests that another strong performance by the Winnipeg Jets goaltender in Sochi is far from a sure thing, especially against a potent American squad.
Consider the following:
- Pavelec has an .886 save percentage against members of Team USA this season, who have combined for 26 points in 34 games against him (according to Jeff Veillette of Leafs Nation).
- In back-to-back games, Pavelec's career NHL record is 4-17-0 with a 4.22 goals against average and a .866 save % on 575 shots against (via Contrarian Goaltender).
- And finally, the red-hot Phil Kessel has registered six goals and three assists in last five games played against the Jets' starting goalie.
Add it all up, and it's not a good look for Pavelec and the Czechs heading into Wednesday's quarterfinal.
However, if Olympic hockey has taught us anything since 1998, it's that the unexpected can and will happen in a single-elimination game.
Just don't count on Pavelec being able to pull that off.
Here's a deeper look at what Pavelec faced vs. Slovakia via Thomas Drance.
