In a spirited game the Czechoslovakian Hockey team showed they are still a force in this tournement. "I don't know why everyone gets so excited," said team captain Frantisek (Frank) Prochazka. "Its not like the Russian team who had not yet lost a game and went into their third game all full of themselves. Now that they have lost they have fear and know they are vulnerable. We have endured two losses and overcome the adversity of a good challenge and have no doubt we will surpass France. They fight hard, but they are not hockey players," said the captain.

Strong words from a team that has only three players with more then three points in the medal round. This last game exhibited some spirited play by the French who closely checked the Czechs 28-26. Jaromir Jagr led all hitters with 6 in one game. Despite attempting to math physical play the Czechs flooded French netminder Patrick Rollan with 36 shots while the beleaguered netminders offense could only manage 22.

"Don't fool yourselves," said Czech netminder Dominik Hasek, "I keep my eyes on these forwards, those were 22 quality shots. Especially that Maurice Rozenthal, I always know where he is."

Rozenthal is at the top of the medal round scoring with 6 points, only one behind Team Canada miracle worker Mario Lemieux.

No doubt this will be a hard fought series and only time will tell.