MILAN – Bo Horvat’s Dream Realized
This is what Bo Horvat envisioned for himself, and it’s the reason he sought to be in Italy, representing his country.
On Thursday, Horvat was still processing the events of the game as he found himself alone while chasing the puck at 17:26 in the second period. Team Canada had just defeated the Czech Republic 5-0 and was moving through the mixed zone.
He made a smooth backhand shot, navigating through an array of Czech flags. The puck slipped between Lucas Dostal’s legs, extending Canada’s lead from 2-0 to 3-0 and marking the beginning of a decisive victory.
“That was a really special moment,” he reflected. “It was a great play, especially by [Brad Marchand] and [Brandon Hagel]. I broke through the center with speed and caught the defenseman off guard. I’m really happy we won because of it,” he added.
Horvat, who has scored for Canada in the Olympics, described the experience as “pretty surreal.” He mentioned it felt fantastic to be part of such a significant event, especially after having had his cheek stitched up from a stick to the face earlier in the game. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” he said.
While Horvat played just under ten minutes—specifically 9:54—he’s had even lesser ice time only twice since entering the NHL. However, his role on Team Canada shouldn’t be underestimated.
The Canadians only faced one penalty kill during the match, and by the second intermission, the game situation had shifted dramatically, leading to fewer crucial defensive draws. Yet when that time arises, Horvat clearly has a critical role to fill.
“He possesses a strong sense of responsibility,” said Sidney Crosby. “He’s effective on both ends of the ice. Sure, he takes some risks, but his speed is often underrated. He’s someone who can create opportunities quickly on offense.”
Forget about the actual minutes played, though. After this game, Horvat appeared more elated than after many games where he logged over 25 minutes and scored.
“I feel fortunate to be here and to have this chance,” Horvat expressed. “I’m just trying to make the most out of it.”
In terms of the team’s defense, Josh Morrissey was ejected during the second period and did not return. John Cooper didn’t provide any updates concerning his condition after the match.
