Semifinal vs Sweden a family affair for David Pastrňák

Pastrňák couldn’t hide how happy he was for Boston Bruins teammate Pavel Zacha, who flew overseas with him this week to play in his first World Championship.

“I’m so happy for him,” Pastrňák said after the game. “After all these years, he’s finally getting his chance and in his first World Championship and he scores a huge goal for the national team.

“I’m proud of him. I’m proud of the whole team that we really came through for the whole country. We’re looking forward to keeping it going through the end of the weekend.”

Prior to Zacha’s goal, Pastrňák had a chance to open the scoring on a first-period breakaway but the puck slid off his blade as he tried to make a move to his forehand.

“I was skating too fast for my hands,” he joked. “I don’t know. I should have shot, the ice wasn’t ideal.”

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrpVLaRUFu0[/embed]

Another key to the win was the 38-save shutout by Anaheim Ducks goalie Lukáš Dostál.

“He stood on his head quite over and over again – an incredible performance,” said Pastrňák. “He was ready for every shot. It’s easy to win when your goalie stops everything.”

Now the Czechs turn their attention to the semifinal matchup with Sweden. For Pastrňák, who played two years for Södertälje SK from age 16 to 18 before going to the NHL, but has never played a World Championship game against Sweden, the matchup is a special one.

“My fiancée is Swedish, my kids are half Swedish,” he explained. “We haven’t had that match yet in our family, so I have to check my phone to see what’s waiting for me. I don’t think the plan for them was to come (from Sweden) but I think they probably will now. I’m excited for it.”

Sharing what he knows about the Swedish team at this World Championship, Pastrňák said, “I know Victor Hedman a little bit. He’s a great guy and unbelievable hockey player – always tough battles against him. And I know that Sweden has an unbelievable team here. I think every country here would love to have that many good offensive defensemen, so it will be a great battle.”