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Czech’s Gudas fighting fever, may not play vs. Sweden

Tampa Bay Lightning v New Jersey Devils

<>during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Prudential Center on December 14, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey.

Paul Bereswill

The Czech Republic might be without one of their top defensemen when they open up against Sweden on Wednesday.

Czech coach Alois Hadamczik tells iSport (via TheScore) Tampa Bay Lightning blue liner Radko Gudas is battling a fever and may not play. Gudas had been paired up with Flames defenseman Ladislav Smid during practice.

Hadamczik played it mysteriously as to who would take Gudas’ spot if he’s out saying they have seven defensemen and six will play. The candidates to jump in are former NHL defensemen Lukas Krajicek and Michal Barinka. Those two were part of the fourth pairing at practice.

It goes without saying that going without a starter on defense against Sweden is asking for trouble. The Czechs are in Group C with the Swedes, Switzerland, and Latvia.

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