CZE 5, SVK 3: Czechs advance to quarterfinal with win over rival Slovakia

The Slovakian and Czech Republic men's ice hockey teams don't like each other much, so facing each other in the elimination round at the Olympics is a big, big deal.

On Tuesday, the Czech Republic outlasted a Slovakian side that did themselves proud with a furious third period comeback bid. Slovakia was down three goals after two periods, but narrowed the gap to one and tested Ondrej Pavelec several times in the third.

But the Czechs held on and sealed the deal with a Tomas Plekanec empty-net goal. In truth, they were the better team for much of the contest.

With the win, the Czech Republic advanced to the quarterfinal round and will face the United States of America on Wednesday.

Marian Hossa scored twice for Slovakia, putting together about as dominant an individual performance in the third frame as you're likely to see in this tournament. Tomas Surovy added the other goal for Slovakia.

Hossa summarized Slovakia's disappointing performance in the tournament simply:

Beset by dysfunction, the Czech side re-jigged their lineup and it paid immediate dividends. 

Boston Bruins forward David Krejci was placed on the first power-play unit and scored a lovely goal. Ladislav Smid bumped up to the top-pairing taking Michal Barinka's minutes. A third line of Jakub Voracek, Martin Hanzal and Martin Erat was formed, and played well; while Ales Hemsky was no longer the teams 13th forward...

The Czech side also got goals from Ales Hemsky, Plekanec and Roman Cervenka, who picked Andrej Sekera's pocket in the neutral zone and scored the eventual game winner with a patient breakaway deke.

The Czech Republic will now play the United States in quarter final action on Wednesday. Summarizing their prospects against an American team being hailed as the best side at the tournament thus far, Czech forward David Krejci pointed out aptly that in hockey anything can happen: