Kulich's four-point game leads Czechia to blowout win over Switzerland

The second quarter-final matchup of Monday saw the first place team in Group A, Czechia, taking on the fourth place team in Group B, Switzerland.

The scoring got started early in this one, as Switzerland got the game's first tally just 22 seconds into the opening period. Louis Robin used his speed and went in alone, picked up the loose puck in front of the Czech net and went backhand, five hole on Tomas Suchanek to make it 1-0.

HOT START FOR THE SWISS 🔥

Louis Robin shows off his speed and scores 22 seconds in!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/uo5BBJJVsj— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

Then just over two minutes later, the Czechs brought things even. Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich picked up his fourth of the tournament while the team's were at 4-on-4 to tie the game up at 1-1. Czechia netminder Tomas Suchanek picked up his fourth assist of the tournament on the goal.

CZECHIA ANSWERS 🇨🇿

Jiri Kulich buries Svozil's nifty pass to tie the game at 1.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/I4RmUFnhMH— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

A few minutes later, Czechia took their first lead of the game. Forward Marcel Marcel had a beautiful individual effort for one of the best goals of the tournament, so far. He went end-to-end and beat Swiss goaltender Kevin Pasche blocker side to make it 2-1.

Marcel Marcel goes coast-to-coast to give Czechia the lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/EJH9i3RSzy— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

Nearly half-way through the opening period, the Czechs extended their lead to two goals. Marcel Marcel brought the puck to the net, but was being held by Switzerland's Dario Sidler. Marcel passed the puck to Petr Hauser, who put it in as his teammate and Sidler crashed into the net.

The call on the ice was a goal and after a review, the officials decided that it was the correct call and Czechia went up 3-1.

After review, it's a good goal for Czechia 🚨

Marcel Marcel's second of the game gives them a 3-1 lead halfway through the 1st period.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/3kJ9HuQLfE— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

28 seconds into the second period, Czechia struck once again. Columbus Blue Jackets top prospect David Jiricek absolutely rifled a shot from the point top corner, glove side on Pasche. 4-1 Czechia.

David Jiricek blasts home a point shot to extend Czechia's lead 28 seconds into the 2nd period 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8PaY1W2KOT— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

Czechia added a fifth goal just over five minutes later as Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich added his second of the game to make it a 5-1 game. Kulich received a sweet pass in front of the Swiss net from 2023 projected top-ten pick Eduard Sale and rips it past the glove of Alessio Beglieri.

Jiri Kulich strikes again for Czechia and it's a 5-1 lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/SElp3bjfVd— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

The Czechs extended their lead further with less than seven minutes left in the middle frame. Blue Jackets prospect Stanislav Svozil made a slick feed across the ice to Gabriel Szturc, who fired home his fourth of the tournament making it 6-1 Czechia.

Gabriel Szturc fires home a pass from Svozil to give Czechia a 6-1 lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/vaiCUnF8vH— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

With just over a minute left in the second period, 2023 projected top-ten pick Eduard Sale rocketed a shot bar down past Beglieri to give Czechia a 7-1 lead.

Eduard Sale holds and rifles one to the back of the net 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/3Cz5bZjva6— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

Over three minutes into the third period, Czech defenceman Ales Cech threw the puck on net from the point where it was tipped in by Marcel Marcel, who picked up his second of the game. 8-1 Czechia.

Marcel Marcel tips home a Ales Cech point shot and Czechia takes an 8-1 lead 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/qRE287tolW— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

Roughly a minute later, Czechia added a ninth goal. Jiri Tichacek had three Swiss players chasing him, then makes a pass to a wide open Gabriel Stzurc in front, who roofs it past Beglieri. 9-1 Czechia.

Gabriel Szturc buries his second goal of the game 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/aFLMnfgbeZ— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2023

Not that it was in doubt, but Czechia held on to defeat Switzerland by a score of 9-1. Much like Sweden, the Czechs will have to wait until after the Canada/Slovakia game to see who they'll face in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

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