4. may 2009 / PATRIK ELIAS JOINS ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

It didn’t take Patrik Elias long to get back on the ice after the Devil’s devastating first round outing, and it didn’t take long for him to make his presence felt either. The star winger joined the Czech Republic National Team in the Ice Hockey World Championship earlier this week and already has 2 goals in 2 games with the team, both of them shutout victories. His first came in an 8-0 beating of Slovakia, a hard one-time slap shot through the legs of goaltender Jaroslav Halak.

In a second round match with Belarus, Patrik’s power play goal in the final minute of the second period led his team to a 3-0 victory. Petr Čajánek of the Czech team scored twice. The Czech team will battle Sweden in a crucial quarterfinal contest on Thursday.

The Ice Hockey World Championship is an annual tournament. Now in its 73rd year, the 2009 Championship is being held between April 24th and May 10th in Switzerland. (Dan Altano)