The view from the stands - Men's Olympic Semi Finals - Features

The view from the stands - Men's Olympic Semi Finals

Friday, 24th February 2006

First game is between Sweden and Czech Republic.

Starting goalies are Lundqvist for Sweden and Hnickay keeps the job over the disappointing Vokoun. Detroit Redwings d man Niklas Kronvall will play only hours after arriving as replacement for the injured Ohland.

Blitzstart for the Tre Krone as they take the lead with 34 seconds on the clock. Forsberg started the move on the right and crossed to Sundin at the top of the slot who dropped it to Modin. The d man let go a one timer that was through Hnilicka’s legs before he could move. The lead only lasted a couple of minutes as the Czechs equalised on their first real attack. 3:11 gone as Straka brought the puck across the blue and dropped it for the trailing Kuba. He shot one to the right of Lundqvist who misdirected it across onto the post. The puck bounced back catching the skate of the goalie and back in to the net. Lundqvist would like that one back. 10 minutes gone and the Czech Republic are well on top outshooting the Swedes 10-4. No good outshooting your opponents if you do not score and the Swedes took advantage at 13:11 with a superb goal. Kronvall passed to Lidstrom on left point who hit a speculative shot into the mix in front of goal and Per Johan Axelsson got a superb tip on the puck to direct it passed Hnilicka. 2-1 to the Swedes. Sweden are playing a feisty,physical game with Mats Sundin skating close to the edge and a bit lucky he has not sat out a couple of minutes in the box. 18:39 on the clock and the first penalty of the game goes to Sweden as Zidlicky trips Forsberg. The period ends 2-1 to the Swedes. Good even game of hockey.

Sweden start the second period on the powerplay but its when they are even handed that they take the lead again. 21:16 gone and its brotherly love as the Sedin twins combine to make it 3-1. Henrik took possession in the neutral zone into left circle. He then dropped the perfect pass onto the tape of brother Daniel who brought the save from Hnilicka. Henrik , who had been trailing the play was right in front to score. 23:54 and its 4-1 and the Swedes are well on top. A loose puck was picked up by Pahlsson who passed out to Backman charging in from the point. He produced a slapshot that beat the goalie on shere power. 27 minutes on the clock and its 5-1. On the powerplay a slapshot from Johnsson was tipped high past the goalie by Jorgen Johnsson. That was enough for Hnilicka and his day’s work is over and Vokoun comes into the game. Looks like game over as the Czechs look down and out. Half way through the game and the Czech Republic get one back just at the end of a 5 on 3 powerplay.

Hemsky brought the puck past the blue line and shot on Lundqvist. Hemsky skated in and took his own rebound and top shelfed it. 2-5. A minute later and its 5-3. Vyborny brought the puck into the Swedesh zone on the right and put the puck on the tape of Prospal’s stick who tried a backhand which spun over the shoulder of Lundqvist and the Czech’s are back in this game. The Swedes are all over the place as the Czechs have found a new energy. The Sedin twins may have run the start of this period but its superstar Jagr who is doing the business now. 2 mins to go in the period and the Swedes are pressing. Vokoun makes a superb save facing a 2 on 1 rush and a stramash in front of the goal brings nothing. More defensive calamity and Vokoun is absolutely hung out to dry as Alfredsson takes a pass from Axelsson and blasts it past the exposed Vokoun. 1 minute to go and its 6-3. That might just settle the Swedes. That’s it for the second period, a 6 goal barn burner. Can’t wait for the next chapter.

4 minutes gone in the third and it’s the Czechs who are doing most of the pressing. Are the Swedes just sitting back on their lead, that could be dangerous with Jagr on top form. 6:03 gone and the Czechs have the puck in the net. However the whistle had long gone as Straka had two or three chips at Lundqvist’s glove which had the puck. 8 minutes to go and the Swedes have a powerplay as the Czechs had about 7 men on the ice. The Czechs run down the powerplay but lose a seventh goal on 16:05 of the period. Zetterberg skated in from the left and passed cross ice for the on rushing Holmstrom to blast the puck home. That will definitely do it now for Sweden. Great play by Sweden as Sedin, Kronvall and Lidstrom combine to shoot on goal. Good save by Vokoun. The hert has gone out of the Czech team now and they wish the game was over. Its all over and Tre Krone make it to the final. Well deserved and another great game of hockey. Now for the big game. Russia v Finland, my heart wants Finland but the Red Machine will be hard to stop.

The second semi final is under way with Russia missing teenage sensation Malkin who is suspened after getting a match penalty in the quarter finals for kicking. Finland missing Salo who has a shoulder problem. The Russians have brought their physical hard checking game to the ice and twice in the first 3 mins they could have had men in the box. The referee eventually gets his whistle to his mouth and at 5:20 Gonchar goes for a 2 minute rest for interference. 6:13 and Finland take the lead on the powerplay Timonen puts a shot in from the blue line and its tipped by Peltonen. 1-0 to Finland. The Russians seem a bit ragged and are once again in the box at 6:32. Finland press again and have a couple of chances as the powerplay runs down. 9:33 and it’s the Russians turn as Ruutu goes for holding the stick. Saku Koivu has a great chance as he turns the defence inside out. 13:51 and Nittymaki makes a great save from Ovechkin. 16:00 and Hagman hits the bar after great work behind the net. 17 mins gone and Russia are presing hard great work by Kovalev on the wraparound chance.End to end stuff as Russia give the puck away behind the net and Finland hit the bar again. The period runs down and Russia take an interference penalty with Kozlov in the box for the last 8 seconds and the beginning of the second. 1-0 Finland after 20 mins and a well deserved lead.

Even start to the second period but not of the intensity of the first 20. Perhaps just taking a breather. 2 mins gone and Jokinen has a good chance but cannot get the shot on goal. 26 on the clock and Timonen smacks the pipes with a belter. 29:36 and Finland go two goals up . Great work on the left and a shot that Nabakov gets his body behind. Saku Koivu picks the rebound and passes back to Lydman who one timed an absolute screamer past the helpless Nabakov. 2-0 Finland but it is still wide open. Half way through the game and the shot count is indicative of the game with the Finns leading 15-13. 12:16 and Timonen lets one go from the blue line well held by Nabakov. 33.51 and possibly the game winning goal for Finland. Finland win the face off and Koivu feeds Timonen who slaps one from the blue line. It bounces off the back board and hits Nabakov and Saku Koivu gets the final touch and its 3-0 Finland and one foot in the final. Russia on the powerplay and Kovalchuk hits a rocket and smacks the head of Nittymaki. He looks shaken up but is able to continue. Gonchar has his second chance of the powerplay but its scrambled clear. Good powerplay by the Russians. The period ends and the Russians trudge off wondering how they can get back into this game. They have 20 mins left to pull off a miracle. Finland 3 Russia 0 end of the second period.

First shot on goal of the third goes to Finland as Hagman shoots from the point and it is well held by Nabakov. 7 minutes gone in the third and the Finns are letting the Russians come at them and holding the space along the blue line. The Russians seem clueless as how to break down the Finnish line and are getting frustrated. This is a masterclass from the Finns as they completely control this game. A joy to watch . Peltonen breaks out down the right and finds Jokinen at the far post for a superb fourth goal and the Finns will play for gold on Sunday. 49:17 gone and 4-0 Finland. 10:30 gone and Kovalchuk goes to the box for 4 mins on a cross check and roughing calls. On the first Finnish foray into the Russian zone the puck flies off Kasperitis’s stick and into his face. It looks nasty but this guy is made of granite and he goes to the bench just shaking his head. First shift back for the Russian hard man and he goes to the box for charging and roughing. That should do it now for the game. Pure frustration from Kasparitis. Numinen shoots from the point on the first attack of the 5 on 3 but Nabakov holds well. The Russian backstop has had a good game despite shipping 4 goals so far. 18:20 gone and a lovely skate from his own half by Ovechkin but he does not get the shot away. Indicative of the way Russia have played tonight. They will be gutted that it just has not happened for them. Its all over and the superb Finns make it to the gold medal game for the first time since 1988. Brilliant all round display that Russia had no answer to.

Bronze medal game is between Russia and the Czech Republic on Saturday evening and the final , Finland v Sweden is Sunday afternoon at 1pm.

That’s it from me until Monday night as I am off to Germany to watch the DEL Cup final between Dusseldorf and Mannheim. Full report on the last two games on Tuesday when I get back. Enjoy the weekend, I will!

Tambo

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The view from the stands - Men's Olympic Semi Finals

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