Blackhawks Petr Mrazek, Lukas Reichel Have Big Days At IIHF World Championship xuanmai

Mrazek shuts out Austria for Czechia in his hometown. Reichel with two goals for Germany in lopsided win on his 22nd birthday.

Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek finally got to sparkle for his homeland in his hometown.

Meanwhile, Chicago forward Lukas Reichel scored two goals on his 22nd birthday.

Friday was good for both at the IIHF World Championship.

The 32-year-old Mrazek stopped 21 shots in Czechia's 4-0 win over Austria before 17,431 roaring fans at the Prague Arena. The Czechs improved to 3-1-1-0 with the victory and moved to the top Group A  ahead of Canada and Switzerland, both of whom have played just four games.

"I'm very proud," said Mrazek, considered by his Blackhawks teammates to be Chicago's MVP in a resurgent 2023-24 season. "We battled hard tonight. We knew it would be a difficult game because Austria played really well yesterday, and against Canada and Switzerland as well."

Mrazek appeared in just his second game for Czechia in the tournament after allowing three goals on 11 shots in a 6-3 win over Norway last Saturday.  

Anaheim's Lukas Dostal, just 23-years-old, has been in nets for three of Czechia's contests and impressive with a .923 save percentage and 1.58 goals-against average.

Reichel Scores Twice on His Birthday.

Earlier on Friday, Lukas Reichel scored two goals and Germany clinched a Group B playoff berth with an 8-2 rout of Kazakhstan in Ostrava, Czechia.

Reichel now has two goals and two assists for Germany in three games. The Nürnberg native joined the team late after finishing his North American season with four playoff games for the AHL Rockford IceHogs.

Reichel has been working overtime to get his game, focus and confidence together after a disappointing 2023-24 season. The wiry forward had ample opportunity after being slotted as the Blackhawks No. 2 center behind Connor Bedard, but struggled and produced just five goals and 16 points in 65 games.