GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- At least one Czech says the gold-medal is in the mail -- and on its way to hoser country. After losing 3-1 and being outshot 42-11 by Team Canada in yesterday's World Junior Hockey Championship semifinal, Czech Republic defenceman Ladislav Smid predicted Canada would end its seven-year gold-medal drought in tomorrow's final.
"Canada is a very strong team," Smid said through an interpreter. "They're not going to let the gold medal go away."
Smid made his prediction before the Russia beat the U.S. in the other semifinal. But it didn't matter to him who Canada plays.
Teammate Petr Vrana wasn't as impressed, saying the Czechs didn't give Canada their best.
