Smashing one of his patented one timers past Norwegian goalie Henrik Haukeland during a first-period power play on Saturday for the winning goal of Czechia’s 2-0 victory over Norway, Detroit Red Wings forward Dominik Kubalik also etched himself a place in his homeland’s hockey history book.
Just five games into the IIHF World Championship, Kubalik has scored a tournament-high seven goals. That total is also already enabling him to match his country’s mark for most goals by a player in one world tourney.
David Pastrnak scored seven goals for Czechia in last year’s world tournament.Michael Frolík (2019) and Vladimír Vůjtek and Martin Procházka, both in 1997, also accomplished this feat. None of them,, though, were able to get to seven goals as quickly as Kubalik has achieved the feat.
“It cannot be compared” Kubalik said. “Every match and tournament is different. And Pasta is revered. I am not so much.”
He is seeking to push such notions of individual accomplishments to the back of his mind as the unbeaten Czechs look to continue rolling during the tournament.
“I’m not dealing with this right now, even if it’s nice to listen to,” Kubalik told isport.blesk.cz. “It’s nice, but I’ll appreciate it later. I hope I am not done and that I will continue to do well.
“I’m not going to change anything and I hope it continues and it falls to me or others.”
Kubalik Scores To Celebrate Wife’s Birthday
Banners unfurled inside the rink on Saturday were asking Kubalik to score to honor the birthday of his wife Klára. And he came through with a celebratory tally.
“My family put them there,” Kubalik explained. “My wife’s birthday is this Saturday. I tried so I could give her a present. I think it came true with the goal and the victory.”
Kubalik was a 20-goal scorer this season for the Red Wings in his first season with Detroit.
More must-reads: