Sparta Prague defenceman Petr Kalina has just finished his first and only World Junior Championship, with his Czech team falling in the quarter-finals. Now he's anxious to get back home with the CHL Semi-Finals on the horizon.

by Dominik Jakubec and Petra Pilbauerova

MONTREAL – On Monday night, the IIHF World Junior Championship came to an end for Team Czech Republic, as they lost 5-3 in the quarter-finals for the host Canadians. It also marked the end of the junior career of defenceman Petr Kalina. Already a regular on the Sparta Prague blueline, the 19-year-old will return to the world of professional hockey in the coming days.

A defensive specialist, Kalina has 1 goal and 3 assists in 27 Czech Extraliga games this season and 1 goal and 1 assist in eight Champions Hockey League contests. He didn't have any points in five World Junior games, but racked up nearly 18 minutes of ice time in the quarter-final and was on the ice for a goal for each team. 

After the game, he spoke of his World Junior experience, and looked ahead to what comes next.

Petr, what did you think about the quarter-final game? You lost, but do you think the team can be proud of what it accomplished?

“I would say so. We played very well. The first period we played well defensively defence, while we had about four shots and one ended up in their net. That's exactly how we wanted to play – hang back and wait for their mistakes. At the start we did that, but gradually we were less successful, until finally they got the 5-3 goal. They scored more goals than us so they deserved to win.”

Before the game, coach Jakub Petr said that your goal was to be able to look at each other in the eyes after it was over and know you gave it everything. Do you think you did that? 

Yes, I think we accomplished that. We blocked shots, both our goalies played great and the whole team followed the game plan. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”

How would you assess the tournament overall? A success or a failure? 

“In some games we could have been better, in my opinion, but against Canada we played very well. I think we played a good tournament.”

After the overtime losses to Switzerland and Denmark, there was a lot of talk about how the level of Czech hockey is falling further behind the top countries in the world. Do you think you proved that's not true in the game against Canada? 

“I don't think it's falling. As I said, we did everything that the coaches wanted from us. Unfortunately it didn't work out, but we had chances to win.”

For you and the other 19-year-olds on the team, this was your last junior tournament. What do you think of that? 

“It won't be easy to leave it behind, but at least we have nice memories. The boys played very well, but we just simply didn't get it done. For the younger guys who come in next year, I hope things turn out better than for us this year.”

Since you've been gone, Sparta have won once in four games. Are you excited to return?

“Of course. I look forward to seeing the boys again. While I've been gone they've played a few games, so it's time to get back to winning ways.”

Kalina will not be back in time for Tuesday night's game in Brno, but he should be back in the lineup for Friday against Mlada Boleslav and Sunday in Litvinov before the team travels to Sweden for the first game of the CHL Semi-Finals against the Vaxjo Lakers next Tuesday.