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Calgary Flames

World Championship day 3: Backlund vs. Hudler

Just two Flames were in action today, and they were playing against each other.

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Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau played the past two days, so they got the day off and will be back in action late tomorrow morning: Team Canada plays the Czechs, while Team USA plays the Russians. And with Sven Baertschi injured, there isn’t much reason for us to follow the Swiss anymore.

That leaves just two Flames for today: Mikael Backlund and Team Sweden took on Jiri Hudler and Team Czech Republic.

Backlund assisted on Sweden’s first goal in a 4-3 shootout victory and had two shots on net in 18:26 of ice time, the most of all Swedish forwards. He was leaned on heavily in overtime as well, playing 1:46, just three seconds fewer than teammate Oscar Moller (who was named Sweden’s best player of the game).

Backlund was also Sweden's first shooter in the shootout:

Please never forget that Mikael Backlund is awesome.

As for Hudler, he scored the Czechs’ second goal of the game, a powerplay goal, in the dying minute of the first period. Hudler got three shots on net in 18:41 of ice time. Only our old friend Roman Cervenka played more, with a whopping 21:23. Hudler only played about a minute in overtime.

Also, this has nothing to do with anything, but there are three Jiris on the Czech roster and they started on a line together and I hope the Jiri line gets to stay together, just because.

Hudler gets to face Sean Monahan and the Canadians tomorrow, while Backlund gets the day off. The Swedes will be back on Tuesday to face Team Norway.

by Ari Yanover