World Championship day 6: So much Hudler

Team Czech Republic took on Team Italy, and Jiri Hudler played 23:06, the most of all Czech skaters.

Yeah, not just forwards. Hudler was on the ice against the Italians more than every Czech player not named Alexander Salak, the goalie.

The Czechs won 2-0. Hudler had the primary assist on the game winning goal, an even strength goal by Jiri Sekac, who was named the Czechs' best player of the game. The goal was scored at the start of the second period.

In addition to his assist, Hudler also took a high sticking penalty midway through the third, when the Czechs still had just a one-goal lead. He also won the one faceoff he took, and had two shots on net, although several of his teammates had three or four.

Hudler was leaned on heavily in a largely uneventful first period, playing 8:06, when he took both his shots on net. His ice time in the remaining two periods exceeded seven minutes each. In short, he was used heavily, and he had a game-winning assist to show for it.

More Flames are back in action tomorrow: Sean Monahan and Team Canada will play Team Denmark at 7:45 a.m. MT on TSN, while Johnny Gaudreau and Team USA take on Team Latvia at the same time on TSN2. Mikael Backlund and the Swedes will face Team France in the later game, at 11:45 a.m. MT. Team Canada and Team Sweden are both looking to keep their winning streaks going, while Team USA will try to rebound off a 6-1 blowout from the Russians.

Hudler will be back in action on Saturday against Team Denmark.