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With the quarter final slots all but decided, games today were for positioning and hopefully easier games in the knockout round. One issue still was whether Latvia could spring a surprise and edge USA. Unlikely but we have had shocks before.

 

So first up: Latvia v Kazakhstan in the morning.

 

Latvia come out strong but the Kazaks are resolute if not overly talented. One guy who does catch the eye is Koreshkov and it was he who gave Kazakhstan the lead after 7.20. The puck was lost centre ice by Latvia and was slipped to Alexander Koreshkov on the point. Slap shot and goalie with no chance. 1-0 Latvia. A small bout of handbags at 14 mins resulted in Vassilchenko heading to the box and giving Latvia a powerplay. 25 seconds into the man advantage and its 1-1. Tambijevs took a pass from Nizivijs to score. 1-1. No more action in the first and scores are level.

 

Latvia start on the penalty kill , which they see off with ease. No real evidence of them getting the 16 goals they need to catch the USA. In fact its Kazakhstan who go in front on 35.04 as Antropov scores.  A dull period as Latvia realise their dream is just not going to happen and it drizzles out with the score 2-1 to Kazakhstan.

 

Five minutes into the third and Latvia tie the game for the second time. A wrister on the blue line beat the keeper for 2-2. An amazing wrist shot from Alexandrov from a Polishshuk pass was so fierce it knocked the water bottle clean of the top of the net. 3-2 and a superb goal. The excellent  Yevgeny Koreshkov was brought down by Tribuncovs  when clean through. 54.56 and the penalty shot is good as he slid the puck between the knees of Naumovs. 4-2. 58.08 and its 5-2 for Kazakhstan as Yevgeny Koreshkov takes a sweet pass from Alexandr and redirects it into the net. Final score 5-2 and a deserved win for Kazakhstan who got better as the tournament went on. No dream for Latvia as the USA take the final knockout spot in the group.

 

Second morning game was a local derby between Switzerland and Italy. Nobody expected the Swiss to have already qualified and the hosts badly wanted a win their enterprise has deserved.

 

Switzerland dominated the first 10 minutes, leaving the Italians trailing in their wake with 2 goals. First came on the powerplay at 3:06 through Lemm who scored with a low shot from the point. 6:34 and a bit of a comedy goal for the Swiss. Pluss drove across the blue line, stopped dead and pushed a pass between the legs of a defenseman, Fischer picked up the puck, deked Muzzatti and scored. 2-0. Just as we thought the Swiss would run away with the game, Italy scored on the powerplay with Lemm in the box for interference. Joe Busilio, captain and ex Manchester Storm player scored with an assist from Bob Nardella. End of the period and 2-1 to Switzerland and a shot count of 11-9 in favour of the Italians.

 

Italy started the second on the powerplay and wasted no time as on 20.56 Trevisani sent the crowd wild with a blueline slapshot and its 2-2. Crowd is ecstatic and the arena is a sea of colour. 34mins gone and tempers get a bit out of hand as Busilio is crosschecked in the back by Blindenbacher and the latter took exception with a bit of a push and shove. Two minutes for roughing for Busilio and nothing for the crosscheck……… Some things never change. Another chance for Italy with the period running out as Wichser misses on a wrap around. End of the 2^nd and its 2-2 and Italy with a 23-17 shot count lead. Good game, Swiss better technically but the Italians are doing the patizan crowd proud.

 

Slow start to the third and a powerplay chance for Italy. Good work but nothing to show…….. that is until just after the Swiss returned to full strength. Bettin tried to backhand the puck past Aebischer who got the kick save, unfortunately straight to Iob who put away the rebound. 3-2 Italy and not undeserved either. 52 minutes gone and another dismal Swiss powerplay with nothing to show for it. 54 minutes and a great chance for Italy to wrap up the game as Chitarroni barged passed Vauclair and was only inches away from the puck as Aebischer made a great poke save. A minute later and its all square again. Ivo Ruthemann intercepted an awful pass from Chitarroni across the slot and smashed the puck home. Dreadful mistake by the Italians. 58.50 and Ansoldi hit a super slapshot that came back off the inside of the left post.  End of the game and a great derby draw. Italy were the better team and outshot Switzerland 35-25. The Swiss march on to the quarters and Italy are left ruing that horrible cross ice pass that cost them the victory.

 

The afternoon action saw the battle of the heavyweights Canada and Czech Republic as they fought for pecking order in the group.

The game opened up rather cagily with both teams sizing each other up. First shot of the game came from Dany Heatley from the left wing. Another great chance for Canada as Redden unleashed a one timer but Vokoun was sharp and made the save. 7.37 and the Canadians take the lead. Brad Richards took a superb pass from Jarome Iginla and wristed in from the point. 1-0 Canada. Heatley was creamed into the boards after 10 mins and Kaberle sat in the box for 2. Canada took full advantage after 11:19 as St Louis scored from a pass by his NHL team mate Le Cavalier. 2-0 and the Olympic Champions of 4 years ago have the edge over World Champions Czech Republic.  Canada end the period strongly and take a 3 goal lead with 36 seconds left. Vokoun saves a slap shot from Thornton but it rebounds to Chris Pronger who hit a slap shot past Vokoun from the blue line. 3-0 Canada and more like the game we are used to from Canada. End of the period and although the shot count is only 7-6 the Canadians are dominating.

 

Second period begins as the first finished with Canada pressing. Chances at both ends as both teams go at it hammer and tongs. Czech Republic, boosted by the appearance of Jagr for the first time of the night are taking the game to the Canadians. 33.46 and the Czechs take advantage of a 5 on 3 with a fantastic one timer from Kubina with an assist to Jagr. Period ends with the score 3-1 to Canada but the Czechs are back in this game. Hnilicka, who replaced the out of sorts Vokoun at the start of the 2^nd certainly looked more focused . Great game and all to play for in the third. Canada will need to keep out of the box if they are to get a moral boosting win.

 

The Czechs made the dream start to the 3^rd they were looking for as Petr Cajanek hit a beaut past a startled Martin Brodeur. 15 mins to go and we have a real game on our hands. Hard physical hockey from both teams and end to end stuff as the Czechs press for the equaliser. 47 minutes played and its all Czech Republic and they are outshooting the Canadians 29-15 but the score still favours the Canadians. More chances for the Czechs but Brodeur is standing tall and showing why he is considered one of the best goalies in the world. Lots of pressure but the Canadians show a solid defence for the first time this tournament and hold out for a 3-2 win.  Fantastic game of hockey and who knows, this could be repeated in the final.

 

Finland took on Germany in a group A game and they were looking to keep up their 100% record. Germany looking for a boost before their World Championship qualifying group in Amiens where they will play GB.

Great start for Finland and they take the lead after only 2:35 on the powerplay as Leask sits out on a 2 minute interference call. Niklas Hagman skated round the back and put the puck on the tape of Niko Kapanen who shot home. 1-0. A fairly dull period that Finland dominated but only skating in third gear. Germans still in the game at 1-0 but are being outplayed.

 

Not a lot more to report on the 2^nd period as the Germans hung on despite a number of minor penalties. They held out until the 39^th minute when Saku Koivu bundled the puck home after good work from Teemu Selane.

End of 40 mins and the Finns are heading for their 5^th win in a row.

 

Much of the same in the 3^rd as Finland coasted to a 2-0 win. Great 18 shot shut out by Norenna and they go into the knockouts with great confidence.

 

That’s it for Group A and the final standings are

 

Group A

 

Finland             5 5 0 0 19-2 10

Canada                        5 3 0 2 15-9 6

Switzerland                   5 2 2 1  10-12 6

Czech Republic            5 2 0 3 14-12 4

Germany                      5 0 2 3  7-16 2

Italy                              5 0 2 3  9-23 2

 

 

Top 4 go through to the quarter finals but only one pairing is certain as Finland will play USA. The rest will depend on the results of tonights Group B games.

 

Last two games of the qualification. First up, Slovakia v Sweden. Sweden will be looking to dent the Slovaks confidence heading for the knockouts.

 

Sweden boosted by the appearance of Peter Forsberg, who is assessing his fitness day to day. Great start for them as they pin Slovakia back and pepper the Slovak goal. 10 mins gone and Slovakia have woken up, great end to end game with chances for both teams. Slovakia take the lead at 15:51. Sweden had just returned to full strength when Satan fed Bondra who let loose with a rocket of a slapshot and its 1-0. Its his 4^th goal in 5 games. Slovakia control the puck for the last 2 mins and go to the break with a 1-0 lead.

 

Second period and although Sweden are gamely trying, Slovakia are much the better team and are completely in control of both puck and pace of the game. 32:46 gone and two great chances for Slovakia to double their lead. Sweden survive and break out but Zetterberg was hooked as he bore down on goal by Kapus. Powerplay Sweden.

21 seconds later and it’s a long 5 on 3 for Sweden as Bartecko goes for hooking. Slovakia ride out the penalties with two great saves from Krizan. Just does not look like Sweden’s night. Two more chances for Slovakia as the period ends. 1-0 to Slovakia but they are in complete command.

Third period begins with another Slovakian chance that is turned over. 4 mins into the period and Slovakia will have a 5 on 3 as first Tellqvist gets a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck out of the ice. Seconds later he gets himself a hooking call. Just as in the first period, Sweden return to full strength and Slovakia score. 46.16 on the clock and a goal for Marian Hossa with assists for Demitra and Gaborik. 4 minutes to go and Tellqvist smothers a slapshot and two rebounds to keep the score at 2. 56:37 and a powerplay for Slovakia as Pahlsson goes for interference. That should do it for this game. Sweden kill off the penalty but for the third time in the game they lose a goal just after they get back to full strength. 58:58 on the clock and D man Suchy finds himself in the clear on the right and scores to make it 3-0. That does it for the game and Slovakia make it 5 wins out of 5 to win the group with ease. They willl now play the Czech Republic in the quarter finals.

 

 

Top game of the day has to be the clash of old foes Russia and USA. USA will have to bring their A game to the arena tonight if they are to get anything from the Russians. As I expected Robert Esch is in for the disappointing DiPietro. USA start well and the first chance falls to Blake after 2 minutes when he shoots just wide of Nabakov. 6 mins gone and Esche makes his first save of the tournament. First penalty of the game went to Russia as Markov hit the box for 2 mins on a hooking call. USA will need to improve on their 17% powerplay ratio if they are to have any chance of a medal later in the week. Russia take the lead on 9.27 as Koralyuk picked the pocket of Drury on the centre line and skated in on Esche, beating him easily for the score. Dreadful error from USA.

Markov is sent to the box for hooking to give the USA another powerplay opportunity. Another disaster as Russia break away from centre ice on a 2 on 1 and brilliant interplay between Kasperitis and 19 year old Malkin ends with the youngster chipping into the empty net as Esche was left exposed. Russia are turning on the style. 13 minutes gone and Esche saves well from Markov. USA need to tighten up or they are going to be on the end of a hammering. 14 mins and Derien Hatcher nearly takes a Russian head off with a ridiculous high stick and glove. 2 mins and Russia on the powerplay again. 18 mins gone and its powerplay to USA as Sushinsky goes to the box for a hook. 10 seconds later and USA are on the scoreboard. Rollston squeezes the puck high past Nabakov. End of the first and despite being dominated USA are still in this game at 1-2.

Second period begins with a Russian powerplay but no chances come of it. Russia have replaced Nabokov with Sokolov in goal. Possibly a slight injury to Nabokov and they are taking no chances with qualification already in the bag. 8 mins gone in the period and USA are getting back into this game and Weight has another good chance. They are making the openings but seem unable to finish them off. Two more chances for USA as the powerplay ends and we are half way through this excellent hockey game with the score still 2-1. The game is becoming a bit chippy as the Americans become more and more frustrated and missed chances. 15 mins gone and Russia score an absolute cracker. Datsyuk passed to Sushinsky who found Markov on the right and he hit a screamer of a shot high left to beat Robert Esch for pace. Referee has called a review of the goal but it looks good to me. 10 seconds later and the goal is given. No idea why it was reviewed in the first place. USA on the powerplay and Gionta nicks the puck in front of  Sokalov to make it 3-2. Again the plucky Americans get themselves back into a game they are being totally outplayed in.  End of the second and the score is 3-2 to Russia. One of the best games of the tournament so far.

Third period underway and the niggle is still in evidence. 45 mins gone and USA are level . Schneider let a snorter go from left side and it was deflected of a Russian skate then off Gomez’s foot for the equaliser. USA are on fire as the Russians seem a bit lost for the first time in the game. Credit to the Americans as they have worked hard to keep in this game.

Its all USA now as and with 13 minutes to go the USA are outshooting Russian 25-13. Unbelievable considering the quality of the Russian play. Russia take the lead again with a goal from the Russian kindergarten line. Ovechkin scores a sweet shot from the left after taking a pass from teenager Malkov. Fantastic goal. 4-3 Russia with 49.55 on the clock

The lead does not last long as Cole scores a neat wrap around goal after hard work on the board by Knuble.  Goal timed at 50.38.

Another goal for Russia as Kovalev blasts a low shot wide of Esche’s stick hand. 51:52 gone. This game is more like a Sunday shoot out as quality exudes. Brent Pope calling the game for the BBC likened it to the NHL All Star match. Cannot argue with that. 4 minutes to go and a powerplay to Russia as Liles goes to the box on a hooking call. He was lucky he didn’t go for another two for a slash as the penalty was blown. One minute 10 seconds to go and USA pull the goalie to give it one more shot. Immediately Russia come close to scoring an empty netter. Icing is the call. USA keep the puck in the Russian zone for the rest of the game and came close to equalising. Final score 5-4 to Russia. Best game of the tournament. Both teams through to the quarter finals as the Group table looks like this.

 

Group B

 

Slovakia                       5 5 0 0 18-8 10

Russia                          5 4 0 1 28-12 8

Sweden                        5 3 0 2 15-12 6

USA                                5 1 2 3  13-13  3

Kazakhstan                  5 1 0 4  10-21 3

Latvia                           5 0 1 4  11-29 1

 

That makes the quarter final pairings like this

 

 

Finland                         v          USA

Canada                        v          Sweden

Russia                          v          Switzerland

Slovakia                       v          Czech Republic

 

All games to be played on Wednesday.

 

Cheers!

 

Tambo