Martin Nečas playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a4c7c737-549b-488d-b136-a75ce27d2cdc.jpeg] Martin Nečas playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Czechia opened the 2025 IIHF World Championship against Switzerland in a rematch of last year’s final. Martin Nečas, who had confirmed he would join the team days earlier [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/martin-neas-says-yes-czechs-take-25-to-denmark], had expected to play and arrived in Herning, Denmark in plenty of time to do so. However, his equipment did not. As a result, he watched from the stands as the Czechs quickly fell down 2-0, fought back to take a 3-2 lead, fell behind 4-3 and ultimately won 5-4 in overtime. “I was probably more nervous than if I was playing,” Nečas told Czech media on Saturday [https://www.hokej.cz/necas-prirovnal-herning-ke-zdaru-clovek-se-moc-neschova-ozivuje-chemii-se-zadou/5088850]. “When we were losing, I knew it was a big game and that we needed those points, or we might need them later in the tournament. It’s easier when you play, but what could I do about it?” Despite not arriving long before the game and still suffering from the effects of jet lag, the Colorado Avalanche [http://thn.com/colorado] winger said he’d rather play right away than watch. "I would definitely rather jump right in,” he said. “Last year, when I went straight into the game against Great Britain [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/martin-necas-saving-88-for-another-player], I felt terrible, but the next game was a lot better. There are always some positives and negatives, but I definitely wanted to be on the ice against Switzerland.” Martin Nečas saving #88 for “another player” [https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/MjA2NTMwNDc0MjMzODMzMTY2/1716070544168.jpg] Martin Nečas saving #88 for “another player” After <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/necas-arrives-in-prague-pastrnak-and-zacha-on-their-way-too">flying overseas and arriving in Prague on Saturday morning</a>, Martin Nečas wasted no time getting right into the IIHF World Championship, playing Saturday night in a 4-1 win over Great Britain. After the game, he was obviously a popular man in the mixed zone and answered several questions from the Czech media. [https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/martin-necas-saving-88-for-another-player] According to assistant coach Jiří Kalous [https://www.hokej.cz/kalous-prozradil-golmana-na-nory-necas-nastoupi-ve-druhem-utoku/5088872], Nečas will play on a line with Michael Špaček and Filip Zadina [https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/filip-zadina-signs-in-switzerland], with Nečas on the right side. “I played with Záďa (Zadina) on youth teams, so it won’t be a problem. I know how Záďa plays, so I think it’ll work out.” said Nečas. “And Špágr (Špaček)? Of course I know him, I played with him once in the World Juniors. We talk a lot off the ice so that we know who will play where, especially in the attacking zone. Then it’s somewhat about instinct.” As they’ve had a day off since the Switzerland game, the Czechs will go back to Karel Vejmelka in goal again. More than likely, either Daniel Vladař or Josef Kořenář. According to Hokej.cz [https://www.hokej.cz/kalous-prozradil-golmana-na-nory-necas-nastoupi-ve-druhem-utoku/5088872], this is the team’s expected lineup against Norway: Červenka – Sedlák – Pastrňák Zadina – M. Špaček – Nečas O. Beránek – Kodýtek – M. Stránský Lauko – Kondelík – Flek Voženílek Krejčík – Hronek Hájek – Kundrátek Pyrochta – D. Špaček Ticháček Vejmelka
