IHWC Quarterfinals Part 1: Sweden ends Denmark's Historic Run, Czech Rep. wins a SO against Finland

Thursday's Quarterfinals in the Ice Hockey World Championships saw some interesting battles as the Russians got revenge from the beating they received from Canada in the Olympics back in February.

History was made for Germany by eking out a 1-0 goaltenders duel as they reach the Semis for the first time and the Czechs eking out a 2-1 victory in a shutout after going down 1-0 early on in the first game of the day.

Denmark's run may have ended, but for a team that's usually been trying to battle off relegation. This meant a big step up and ending what otherwise has been a disappointing season for the Danes as they failed to make the Olympics during the Olympic Qualifiers last year and failing to promote to the WJC and U18 World Championships this season.

They didn't go without a fight as players like Dallas Stars Prospect Patrick Thorson among a growing list of players who are making an impact in both Europe (Especially Sweden) and North America with more & more players getting chances in the AHL and a few in the NHL right now.

They hoping to use this as momentum for 2010-2011 to keep up this pace as they look to have a stronger season internationally with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia and getting their Juniors promoted to the WJC & U18 World Championships next season.

Czech Republic in addition to Russia also got revenge from their Olympic Rematches as they took down Finland 2-1 in a shutout in what was mostly a defensive showdown. But they were some great outbursts by both sides, especially in OT where both teams were looking to prevent the game from going to a shutout.

Now the Semifinals will be taking place on Saturday as Swede VS. Czech Republic will go at it in the early game. While Russia will be taking Germany who's looking to pull off an incredible run as hosts in the 2nd game.


From Risto Pakarinen

Finland 1 Czech Republic 2 (SO) (1-0, 0-0, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1)

Finland VS. Czech Republic Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/FIN%20-%20CZE.html

In Colonge, Germany: Tied after 70 minutes of battle, it all came down to a penalty shutout. Lukas Kaspar and Jan Marek scored for the Czechs and sealed the win.

Jakub Klepis for the Czechs in the 3rd period, and Tomas Vokoun made 29 saves in regulation time. Petri Kontiola scored for Finland. Pekka Rinne stopped 33 shots.

"It was a tough game, there were times when I was very nervous," Jaromir Jagr about the win that took the Czechs past the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2006.

"The shootout is lots of times a matter of luck. I got some, and I miss some. It's a fun to win, but a tough way to loss," added goaltender Vokoun.

Before the game, everybody said that it was no Olympic rematch because the rosters are completely different. True enough, but the nature of the game was similar to the one played in Vancouver three months ago. A low scoring game, thanks to good goaltending at both ends of the rink.

Another thing that was different in Vancouver, Finland scored late in the third period to win the game. In Colonge, they scored early in the first, and nursed the lead for 59 minutes.

"I don't think we want to get ahead of ourselves. We said before the game we are not supposed to be here and we have twice survived our death." Vokoun said.

Just 55 seconds into the game, Janne Niskala sent a pass from the top of the faceoff circle to Petri Kontiola on the Finns offensive blue-line. Kontiola snuck between two Czech Defensemen, waited for Tomas Vokoun to go down and beat him on a wrist shot on Vokoun's glove side.

There were two other differences, this time the Czechs scored, too. Just 1:12 into the 3rd period, while Jussi Jokinen was in the penalty box for the third time in the game, they played the puck to Jakub Klepis on the point, and he fired a slap-shot beat Pekka Rinne, and tied the game.

"It's a huge disappointment to have the season end like this, I think we battle hard, and we had some scoring chances too, "Said Jussi Jokinen.

The game was mostly a battle, with both teams making sure that there were no turnovers in the critical areas of the ice. Both teams also defended the inside walls, making the goalies jobs that much easier.

The Czech Team pushed hard in the third period, practically controlling the flow of the game. Rinnie in the Finnish net made several acrobatic saves, including one on Jaromir Jagr and another on Jiri Novotny, both from point blank range.

With nine minutes remaining, the Czechs had out-shot Finland 7-1 in the third period. But the score was tied after regulation time and the game went to a ten minute, 4-on-4 overtime.

At 3:58, Jakub Voracek got a tripping penalty, giving the Finns and excellent opportunity to score but the Czech Penalty Kill survived the scare.

"Our Penalty Kill was the difference and in overtime when we did not give a shot on the 4-on-3, guys were battling, blocking shots," marveled Vokoun.

According to Team Finland head coach Jekka Jalonen, his team ran out of gas in the third period. Ten additional minutes didn't change the score, and the Czech Republic is through to the Semifinal against Sweden in a penalty shootout.

Here's the results of the Shootout

CZE: Lukas Kaspar, Shot, Goal

FIN: Jarkko Imonen, Shot, Goal

CZE: Jan Marek, Deke, Goal

FIN: Jussi Jokinen, Deke, Missed the Net

CZE: Jakub Klepis, deke, Miss

FIN: Petri Kontiola, Miss

"We have to get ready to put in a 60 minute effort. It's a new game, and if we play hard, you never know what's possible." Vokoun said.


By Lucas Aykroyd

Sweden 4 Denmark 2 (1-0, 2-1, 1-1)

Sweden VS. Denmark Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/SWE%20-%20DEN%20%28QF%29.html

In Mannheim, Germany: Two hours before puck drop, the Danes were optimistically blasting "We Can Work it Out" by the Beatles in their dressing room. Unfortunately, that prediction didn't come true for underdog Scandinavian Nation in its Quarterfinal versus Sweden.

With a solid 4-2 Quarterfinal Victory over Denmark, Sweden moved on to Saturday's Semifinal versus the Czech Republic in Colonge. This marks Sweden's tenth straight year they have made the final four at the IHWC.

"We were the better team and we knew it, said Tre Kronor Scoring Leader Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson. We never gave them enough space to execute."

While the final outcome was predictable, the Danes could at least take pride in posting their lowest margin of defeat ever against Sweden at this tournament. The previous best was a 4-2 loss in 2007.

"We just met a better team today." said Denmark's Mads Bodker. "We tried to compete, and it was exciting to the end. We gave them a fight."

Marcus Nilson, Jonas Andersson, Rickard Wallin and Linus Omark scored for Sweden, and Magnus Johansson had a pair of assists. Jesper Damgaard and Morten Madsen replied for Denmark.

"We knew it would be a do-or-die game in the Quarterfinals, and if we're going to win gold, we have to win this one," said Nilson. "These are the game you long to play." This is where the tournament starts."

Swedish starting goalie Johan Gustavsson got the win over Denmark's Patrick Galbaith. Sweden outshot Denmark 39-29.

Sweden now looks ahead. It beat the Czech Republic in the 2006 finals, and has also the defeated that nation in elimination play at each of the last two Worlds (3-2 in OT in the Quarterfinals, 3-1 in the 2009 Quarterfinals). However, the last time the Czechs beat Sweden was in the semifinals, they won 3-2 in OT and went on to win the IIHF Gold Medal in Austria 2005.

Denmark which made its first ever Quarterfinal final appearance before 3487 fans at the SAP Arena, has never defeated Sweden in an international tournament. The Danes Previous best finish at an IIHF World Championship was tenth (Russia 2007). 2010 is a proud moment for the Danish Program.

Although the opening minutes of yearly Quarterfinals passed uneventfully, the Swedes patiently and gradually ratchet up the pressure around Denmark's net. The Danes had to hang back under Swedish fore-checking pressure, and the Swedes often used their size and skill to monoplize the puck down low. At times, it looked like Tre Kronor power play wasn't even it wasn't.

Inevitably though, the Swedes did get a power play, and they took full advantage. Magnus Johannsson found Marcus Nilson to the right of Galbraith's cage with a perfect pass, and Nilson sold the puck into the open side to make it 1-0 at 14:58 of the 1st period.

"It was good to get the first goal," said Nilson. "We knew we had a psychological advantage. When we scored, I think they sensed that a little bit."

The Danes couldn't fool Gustavsson on their own subsequent man advantages starting less then a minute later, with Christian Backman nabbed for hooking. They were blanked again when Victor Hedman was sent off for slashing in the first minute of the 2nd period. Denmark's failure to capitalize 5-on-4 would prove fatal.

Galbraith held his ground when Andreas Engqvist got a golden chance from the slot just over 4 minutes into the 2nd period. But simply missed Jonas Andersson's quick release when the Swedish forward burst down right wing and beat him stick side at 7:21.

It was Andersson's fourth goal of the tournament, tying him for the team lead with Magnus Paajarvi Svensson. The 29 year old from Dynamo Minsk is shining in his maiden World Championship voyage.

Sweden extended its lead to 3-0 at 12:29 with a nice shorthanded goal when Rickard Wallin blasted to the net and got a centering pass from Engqvist, putting it over Galbraith's goal.

Just 49 seconds later, the Danes fought back to make it 3-1 when captain Jesper Damgaard stepped into a slap shot from the right faceoff circle, over powering Gustavsson on the short side.

The Swedes gave Denmark very little in the third, and nearly stretched their lead to three goals with under 8 minutes left when Magnus Johansson pinched in and forced Galbraith to make a challenging glove stop.

On the power play with 6:43 remaining, Linus Omark put Sweden up 4-1 with a perfect shot inside Galbraith's converting a cross ice pass from Niklas Persson.

"The Difference was their power play," said Bodker. "They scored some goals on it and overall they had the better team."

The Danes, at this point, had no more chances of coming back then a jar of pickled herring does of swimming wild and free in the Baltic Sea.

Morten Madsen added a power play marker on a great slapshot to cut the deficit 4-2 with 2:25 left, and then the Danes pulled Galbraith for the extra attacker. They got off a few attempts, but it wasn't enough.

Denmark's best three players of the tournament were honored afterwards: Peter Regin, Frans Nielsen, and Patrick Galbraith.

Quafilying Round Group E: Host through to QFS, Russia finishes 1st

The Qualifying Round wrapped up today with 4 games that helped determined the Quarterfinal matchups which will be headed by Russia and Sweden having the top seeds for the Quarterfinals. Also Denmark are through to the last 8 for the first time ever while the hosts Germany are through the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2003.

Every inch was battled for in the Germany Slovakia game as the hosts felt the pressure of getting back to the Quarterfinals, while Slovakia had missed out on the IHWC Playoffs for the 3rd straight year. 2008 saw the worst year when a German win sent them down to the relegation round.

It took a two game sweep of Slovenia in the Relegation Round that year to keep their spot, while in 2009 3 straight losses in the 2nd round against Finland and the Czech Republic. Only a 3-2 OT Win was the only saving grace for the Slovaks, as they finished 2 points back of Belarus for the 4th and final spot in the Quarterfinals.

Regardless of the Quarterfinal result, Germany will hope to use this a springboard after two very bad performances in the last year.

After a 15th place finish in the IHWC last year and finishing 11th in the Olympics. Germany is hoping to use thier upcoming Quarterfinal Matchup against Switzerland as a successful end to a great event and maybe pull off a great upset after Switzerland had been slipping a bit after losing 5-0 to Sweden earlier today.


Slovakia 1 Germany 2 (0-1, 1-1, 0-0)

Slovakia VS. Germany Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/SVK%20-%20GER.html

By Risto Pakarinen

In Colonge, Germany: Every inch of the ice was a battlefield as Germany and Slovakia went head-to-head for a spot in the Quarterfinal. Backed by their home crowd, the Germans pushed through with a 2-1 win. Alexander Barta and Daniel Kreutzer scored a goal each, Dennis Endras made 20 saves in route to the win.

"Sure, they was pressure to get back after what happened in Switzerland. We got a lot of pressure after that tournament and I think we deserved it," said German Defensemen Christian Ehrhoff.

It's the first time since 2003 under then coach Hans Zach that the Germans reached the Quarterfinals.Seven years ago the Germans lost eventual gold medal winners Canada 3-2 in OT. Third period goals by Lasse Kopitz and Daniel Kreutzer tied up the score before Eric Brewer scored the game-winner 37 seconds into OT.

After twenty something games this season, and a few days of frenetic computing about different matchups to see who'd advance and who would not, the game between Germany and Slovakia came down to an easy set up. The team that got more points out of the game would advance to the playoff stage. This time it was the Germans while Slovakia missed out on the Quarterfinals for the 3rd straight year.

"We knew it was going to be a big fight, and a low-scoring game. We knew we'd be fighting for every inch of the ice. Maybe we didn't have hockey luck or hockey sense, but we couldn't score a second goal," said Slovakia's captain Richard Linter.

Germany got a perfect start to the game when Alexander Barta scored the first goal of the game at 7:19. Barta came flying down the right wing, and found Daniel Kreutzer waiting for the puck at the far post. Barta got the puck him, but Kreutzer's shot missed the net. Fortunately for Germany, it bounced from the backboard to Barta, who had half the net to choose where to place his backhander.

Slovakia had only five shots on Germany's goal in the first period.

Germany took command of the game early in the 2nd period again. At 4:42, Barta and Kreutzer made it a two goal game, this time Kreutzer getting the goal. Barta and Sven Felski put pressure on the Slovak defense behind the net, Barta grabbed a loose puck and found Kreutzer alone in the slot and this time, he didn't miss, and beat Peter Budaj high on the stick side.

Felix Schultz 4 minute high sticking penalty gave Slovakia its chance to get back in the game. With 20 seconds remaining in Schutz's latter penalty, Marek Savtos got the puck at the hash marks, he cut to the middle, went around the German defensemen, and fired a hard and accurate wrist shot to top shelf, beating Endras on the glove side, at 19:17.

Slovakia made a final push with one minute remaining, but the game ended in Germany's victory dance in front of Endras's net.

"You just want to get your body in front of the shots and guys out in front of the net. Once you hear the siren you are relieved," Ehrhoff said.

"We're just going to enjoy the night and see what happens tomorrow," he added.

Slovak Captain Richard Linter said the teams was "disappointed, but not upset."

"I know for sure that all our guys left 100% on the ice," he said.

On another note for the Germans, the org. committee announced during the game that with tonight's attendance, 15,100, they also met the attendance goal for the tournament, 400,000 fans.

Germany was the fourth team to qualify for the Quarterfinals, and with the win. The Germans overtook Denmark for 3rd and will face Switzerland, who finished 2nd in Group F.

Russia 5 Finland 0 (1-0, 2-0, 2-0)

By Risto Pakarinen

From Colonge, Germany: Russia rolled over Finland 5-0, getting goals by five different players and a shutout by Semyon Varlamov, Ilya Kovalchuk got two assists and Maxim Afinogenov got a goal and assist as well.

"With the new rules its all about the special teams and I think our penalty killing was great and the power play worked tonight. It is important for the Quarterfinals," Kovalchuk said.

The last time Russia left a World Championship rink as a loser was in 2007 when they lost to the Finns 2-1 in OT. Since then, the team has raked in 23 wins. Before their game against Finland. Now the win count is at 24.

Finland started the game very strong, they came out of the gate like they meant business. And they did. Finland Pressured the Russian defensemen, and created several good scoring chances. Unfortunately for the Finns, when it was time to put the puck to the back of the net, they hit the posts instead, three times.

"They played very well in the beginning," Kovalchuk admitted.

Russia got into some penalty trouble halfway through the period, with Alexi Emelin and Demitri Kulikov taking penalties with a minute from each other. But the Russian defense, and goaltender Semyon Varlamov kept the Finns off the scoreboard.

Then it was Finland who ran into penalty trouble. The Russian power-play showed why it needs to be feared. Finland's defensemen Topi Jaakola injured itself, turning the situation into a 5-on-3 play. Alexander Ovechkin one-timer failed but the puck found its way to Sergei Federov, who was waiting for it at Petri Vehanen's doorstep, and tapped in the puck at 16:42.

"We are pretty good. We have almost all the guys who played in the Olympics and we have some great atmosphere in the room," said Kovalchuk said.

In the 2nd period, Finland lost players when Defensemen Jusso Hietanen and Pusi Puistola were injured and Jukka Jalonen to shuffle the lines - and - having already decided to rest defensemen Lasse Kukkonen and Petteri Nummelin - moved team captain Sami Kapanen down to defense.

"I wasn't trying to hurt him, but I play in front of the on our power play, and have to make sure I make some room for our guys," Kovalchuk said about the situation where Hietanen was injured.

Maybe that's why Finland also ran into major penalty trouble in the 2nd period, taking six minors, and Jussi Jokinen's ten minute penalty for hitting to the head.

"Kapanen was excellent tonight. We hang five defensemen for half of the game, and he was our top-two defensemen," coach Jalonen said.

Given multiple chances, Russia finally scored at 13:52 when Ilya Kovalchuk got the puck in the slot, and waited until a Finnish defensemen hit the ice to block a shot, then stepped around him and fed the puck to Evgeni Malkin, who shot the puck through Vehanen's five hole to make it 2-0.

Right after the faceoff Maxim Afinogenov got the puck deep into the Finnish zone, and took the shot that Vehanen's was able to stop with his leg pad. The rebound escaped the Finnish defense but not from Nikolai Kulemin who gave Russia a three goal lead at 14:02.

"We started well, but didn't stick to our system tonight," and didn't have the speed we need in our game," said Kapanen.

Russia put the game to bed, for good, early in the 3rd period. Frist Kovalchuk sent a pass from the hash marks to the point and Emelin one-timed it high on Vehanen's stick-side to make it 4-0 2:15 into the 3rd period.

But Russia wasn't done yet, a mere 40 seconds after the fourth goal Afinogenov grabbed a loose puck on the Finnish blueline, took a step into the slot, and banged the puck past Vehanen for the fifth time in the game.

Russia won Group E and meets Canada in the Quarterfinals. In the other Olympic Quarterfinal rematch, Finland will take on the Czech Republic.

Final Group E Standings

1. Russia 5-0-0-0 15 PTS 20-6

2. Finland 3-0-0-2 9 PTS 11-11

3. Germany 2-0-1-2 7 PTS 8-8

4. Denmark 2-0-0-3 6 PTS 12-10

5. Belarus 1-1-0-3 4 PTS 5-10

6. Slovakia 1-0-0-4 3 PTS 8-18


Clinched Quarterfinal Berth

Elinamted from the IHWC


Final Group E Schedule

5/14: Slovakia 0 Denmark 6 (0-6, 0-0, 0-0)

5/14: Finland 2 Belarus 0 (0-0, 2-0, 0-0)

5/15: Russia 3 Germany 2 (1-0, 1-1, 1-1)

5/16: Denmark 1 Russia 6 (0-2, 1-1, 0-3)

5/16: Germany 1 Belarus 2 (OT) (0-1, 0-0, 1-0, 0-1)

5/17: Finland 5 Slovakia 2 (0-0, 3-0, 2-2)

5/17: Belarus 2 Denmark 1 (0-1, 1-0, 1-0)

5/18: Slovakia 1 Germany 2 (0-1, 1-1, 0-0)

5/18: Russia 5 Finland 0 (1-0, 2-0, 2-0)


Quarterfinal Matchups on 5/20

Colonge

#1E Russia VS. #4F Canada

#2E Finland VS. #3F Czech Republic


Mannheim

#1F Sweden VS. #4E Denmark

#2F Switzerland VS. #3E Germany

Finland comes back to win Bronze Medal

Slovakia's first ever Olympic Hockey Medal will have to wait at least another 4 years after the Slovaks good start where after Slovakia was up 3-1 going into the 3rd period with 3 2nd period goals by Slovak Superstars Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa and Pavol Demitira all on the Special Teams (2 PP, 1 SH). After the 2nd intermission, Slovakia's fans were looking to celebrate the teams best ever hockey success.

However, Finland proved that they are still among worlds hockey elite when the Finns scored 4 goals in the 3rd period, inclduing 3 in 3 and a half minutes by Niklas Hagman and 2 by Olli Jokinen to turn the tide midway through the 3rd period. Despite playing better in the game and with shots being nearly equal with the excption of the 1st period to keep the game going.

Slovakia had a great effort starting with with 1:38 left in the game when Slovakia pulled Jaroslav Halak including a couple of great saves by Finnish Goalie Mikka Kiprusoff who despite being crushed in the 1st period of the Semifinal against the U.S.A., he was able to big when he needed to be.

Then with just 11 seconds left when Valtteri Filppula scored the Bronze Medal Winner to end the game 5-3 to win 3rd place and Slovakia who finished 4th with that being the best finish ever for Slovakia in the Olympic Games.

Despite the stagness of the team, hopefully this can put the SVK Hockey Assocation back on track and contuine to help grow the number of players that can make the NHL and make org. like the SVK Extraliga and the Junior Teams to help contuine to play and be successful in the Winter Olympics in the near future.

The problem for Slovakia right now is that they haven't had any big time players that have developed and been able to make it big. Players like Marian Gaborak, Marin Hossa are on the back side of their careers and this was probably they last Olympic WInter Games parctipation.

Will the Slovaks be able to successfully turn the page and help out the next generation of Slovak Hockey Players do well in the NHL, the Olympics and other big international events, or will the federation be on the down slide when making the Olympics will no longer be a given, that maybe an issue they may have to deal with is Olympic Qualification with teams like Germany, Norway, Denmark and Austria amongst others who are looking to get in or improve in 2014 in Sochi Russia.

Finland came short of redeeming themsevles for Olympic Gold, but they still have a great finish of Winning a Hockey Medal in back to back Olympics on the Men's side, and the First Olympic Hockey Medal on the Women's side since 1998. Finns still have a great mix of youth and experience to help them out to build up on this for both the U18 World Championship coming up in April and bring the nations first World Championship in over a decade when the tournament heads to Germany in May.

Last season, the Finns won Bronze at the U18 World Championship last season and they looking to get back after a few years of poor performances. Which includes a 7th place finish in 2007 when they hosted the tournament.

Then at the recent U20 World Championship, a 5th place finish was a nice step up, but they still got elinmated in the Quarterfinals. The Finns do a great job of getting ready their teams for international events reguardless of the level or age group and they looking to get back on the Medal Podium. Not just at the Olympics, but covering the board as much as possible.

After a Bronze Medal here, they will contuine to a world power at the different tournaments to follow and will contuine to play well at both the club and international level. Also the fact that despite losing to Sweden in the Group Stage, they were able to still be the best of the 2nd place teams and get the last of the 2nd Round Byes.

Reguardless of the Medal, hockey in Finland is still the top sport for the most part. But just imagine it would have been if the Finns could have brought home Finland's 1st ever Olympic Hockey Gold Medal after coming so close in 2006.

Finland VS. Slovakia Bronze Medal Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/pictures/page/0/game/FIN%20-%20SVK%20%28B%29.html

Finland VS. Slovakia Bronze Medal Game Summary: www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-hockey/schedule-and-results/mens-bronze-medal-game---game-29_ihm400102zP.html

From Lucas Aykroyd of the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

It was an historic night at Canada Hockey Place, as Finland earned a 5-3 comeback win in its inaugral Olympic Meeting with Slovakia on Saturday to claim the 2010 Bronze Medal.

The gutsy Finns trailed 3-1 heading into the 3rd period, but Olli Jokinen scored a pair of 3rd period goals, including the game winner with 11:19 left in the game. Sami Salo, Niklas Hagman, and Valtteri Flippula also scored for Finland.

For Finland, Saku Koivu, Jere Lehtinen and Ville Peltonen all succeded in tying Vladislav Tretiak, Igor Kravchuk, and Jiri Holik for the most Olympic Medals with 4, the three battle-hardened Finns now have a Silver in 2006 and three Bronze Medals (1994, 1998, 2010).

"I think that shows a lot about them and Finnish Hockey", said Koivu's younger brother, Mikko. "There are always people who question our team and our talent before these tournaments. This achievement shows our character and the strenth of our team."

"When you see players like Lehtinen and Peltonen and Koivu sacrificing their bodies and blocked shots, you realize how many leaders we have," added Finnish forward Tuomo Ruutu. "I'am so incredibly proud of them and honored to be on this team."

Pavol Demitra, a crowd favorite as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, lead the Slovak Attack with a goal and two helpers. He is now first in Olympic Scoring (10 PTS), and shares the tournament lead in assists with 7 with Canada's Jonathan Towes. Marian Hossa added a goal and an assist, and Marian Gaborik had the other Slovak Goal.

This was Finland's 5th Olympic Medal since 1988. Finland has won a medal of shade-though never gold-at four of the last 5 Olympics. The Finns have also taken 3 World Championship Bronze Medals (2000, 2006, 2008) and seem particulary proficient in 3rd place games.

"After the other night it would have been tough to go home in 4th place," said Jarkko Ruutu, alluding to the 6-1 loss to the Americans. "4th or 8th- it dosen't matter, but Bronze really means something."

Instead of going with their backup goalies, as international teams usually do in 3rd place/Bronze Medal Games, both countries stuck with their starters. Finland's Mikka Kiprusoff rebounded after a horrific semi-final performance against the Americans, where he allowed 4 goals on 7 shots. Jaroslav Halak suited up against Slovakia, which he was outshot 33-22 in the game.

The 4th place finish was Slovakia's best ever in Olympic Competition. It came in 5th in Turin in 2006. Slovakia's previous senior IIHF medals at World Championships: Gold in 2002, Silver in 2000 and Bronze in 2003. Still it was disappointing for the Slovaks, who missed a chance to win their countries first ever Olympic Medal. After beating Russia and Sweden and giving Canada a scare in the Semifinals, they head home after empty-handed.

It was probably the final Olympic appearance for veteran stars on both sides: Slovakia's Demitra, Zigmund Palffy, Miroslav Satan, and Finland's Kiprusoff, Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu Ville Peltonen and Jere Lehtinen, to name a few.

"I played my first national team game 23 years ago," noted Selanne who also said that this would be likely his final NHL Season. "Five Olympics, finishing with Bronze is a dream come. When you win your last game, it's huge. I really rank this very high. Any time you play against the best and can get this kind of medal, it's unbelievably huge."

Selanne also noted that the Bronze Medal was sure the heaviest medal in his collection, and that he'd be open to being "Jarri Kurri's right handed man", in retirement, but not a coach.

Although this game got off to a cautious start, there were several highlights in the early going. Kiprusoff made some sharp saves during an early Slovak Power Play with Niklas Hagman off for holding. Miroslav Satan dazzled the crowd with a spin-around move while going one-on-one with Finnish Defensemen Joni Pitkanen, but fired high and wide. Then Halak Stymied Lehtinen from point-blank range in the slot.

Finland picked up the pace as the time wore on, and Salo finally opened up the scoring with the man advantage with 1:10 left in the 1st period. The Vancouver Canucks defensemen delighted the home crowd when he unleashed his trademark howitzer, which screamed over Halak's left arm. It was Salo's first goal of the tournament.

The Finns Continued to press in the first half of the 2nd period, but it was Gaborik who tallied the Power Play Equalizer for the Slovaks midway through the game. Showing superb patience, Demitra controlled the puck on the sideboards before sending a centering pass to Gaborik, who zinged a shot over Kiprusoff's right shoulder.

The Slovaks couldn't contrubite on a couple of odd man rushes. But they did capitzlized on a breif 5-on-3 advantage with 4:22 left in the 2nd period when Hossa, standing on the edge of the crease, managed to kick the puck from his skate to his stick and bang it in past Kiprusoff's left skate.

Two minutes later, Branko Radivojevic inadvertently whacked Olli Jokinen in the head with the stick and went off for a four minute high sticking penalty. Yet even shorthanded, the Slovaks found a way to take advantage. After a backward pass by Salo in the Slovak end went bad, Hossa burst right wing on a 2-on-1 and fed the puck across Demitra, who made no mistake, putting it in past Kiprusoff right off a post for a 3-1 lead at 18:45 of the 2nd period.

The Slovaks seemed to be in control. But they ran into penalty trouble in the 3rd period, and this time the Finns made them pay. At the tail end of the extended two-man advantage, Kimmo Timonen's shot tipped twice en route to the net, going off Hagman to make it 3-2 at 5:06. The Finns were fired up now, and they struck quickly for the tying goal at 6:49 when Olli Jokinen wheeled into the high slot, taking a feed from Jarkko Ruutu and whipping it past Halak's blocker side.

Jokinen wasn't done. Taking a long pass from Joni Pitkanen, he split the Slovak defense on a power play solo rush and tucked a backhand shot neatly Halak's legs to put Finland up 4-3 at 8:41.

Three Finnish goals in less then 4 minutes-it was a blow from which stunned Slovaks couldn't recover.

"We didn't get it done in the 3rd period," Palffy admitted. "We took some penalties and let them back in the game. It was very disappointing."

The Slovaks pulled all the stops on a late penalty to Pitkanen, but Kiprusoff made a game saving stop on Richard Zednik at the edge of the crease with a minute and a half left. Twenty seconds later, Demitra nearly snucked one in with sneaky slider from the line. Yet luck wasn't on Slovakia's side.

Flippula sealed the deal with an empty netter with 11 seconds left.

"We have lots of character," said Peltonen. "We reminded each other to trust ourselves, trust our game. It was tough to play after yesterday, which was a total nightmare, but we pulled together."

Selanne ends his Olympic Career as an all time morden day points leader (37), one ahead of the Soviet great Valeri Kharlamov. However, Kharlamov is still the all time assists leader (22), one ahead of Saku Koivu.

Retired Canadian Mark Messier elicited both cheers and boos when he was shown on the big video screen. Messier will serve as Canada's GM at the 2010 IIHF World Championships in Germany. However, he was a longtime foe of the Canucks with the 1980s Edmonton Oilers, spolied Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup Hopes in the 1994 finals with the New York Rangers, and didn't lead the team to glory when he played with them from 1997 to 2000.

Finland Edge Nordic Rivals for Women's Bronze In OT

Finland was looking for their first Women's Olympic Hockey Medal since the first ever tournament in 1998 while Sweden was coming their best performance in 2006 with the upset over the U.S.A. to win the Silver Medal.

For Finland, a back and fourth game where the Finns got the Finns and Sweden to OT before Erika Holst's skate blade a quarter of the way through OT to clinch Finland the Bronze Medal. This is the big goal that Finland was looking for after a couple of sub par performance's in the Women's Olympic Tournament. However, they have made up for it with Bronze Medals in the last 2 World Women's Championship Tournaments.

One of the biggest parts of the Bronze Medal was Finnish Goalie Noora Raty was easily the best player for Finland, and helped keep Finland stay in the Semifinal against Canada earlier in the week. After ending the Olympic Medal Drought, hopefully it will help the Women's Program from getting more money support and more young players to play the game.

Also for Sweden, this ends a medal streak that goes back to 2002 where they won Bronze in 2002, and one of the biggest upsets in Women's Hockey History as the Swedes beat the U.S.A. in the Semifinals to help win the Silver Medal. After the North American Powers, the Northern European Rivals is the next big rivals and are in the always in the hunt for a Medal in the Olympics and Women's World Championships.

Hopefully this can help the sport in Finland and Sweden as hopefully sometime soon that either Finland or Sweden can have a team that can win Gold in both events. And in the newly created World Junior Women's Championships in the near future that made its international debut in 2008.

Both teams should be honored for a job well done as the are the 2 European Teams that want the Women's Game to do well by creating Women's Development Programs, getting to play for College Teams in North America and eventually help create Women's Pro Leagues around the world.

Finland VS. Sweden Bronze Medal Pictures: www.iihf.com/de/channels10/olympics-2010/pictures/page/0/game/FIN%20-%20SWE%20%28B%29.html

Finland VS. Sweden Bronze Medal Game Summary: www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-hockey/schedule-and-results/womens-bronze-medal-game---game-19_ihw400102qy.html


From Risto Pakarinen of the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

Finland and Sweden went full rounds in the Women's Bronze Medal Game. Karoliina Rantamaki got the game winning goal 2:33 into the Overtime Period when the puck bounced in Erika Holst's skate blade,

"This is a huge medal for women's hockey in Finland. It will help us get better financial support, and obviously, when girls playing hockey in Finland to see that we won a medal in the Olympics, they may want to be here, too," said Finland's goaltender Noora Raty.

"We expected the game to be like it was, it was a tight game, and not a lot of goals, but it was great," said Finland's Mariia Posa.

"Our goalie was great, and the whole team defended well", she added.

Finland has won the last two bronze medals at the Women's World Championship-beating Sweden in the tournament in 2009-but haven't medaled in the Olympics since 1998. But the Finns stayed out of the box for just 43 seconds as defensemen Rosa Lindstedt for a hooking minor. The Finnish penalty kill, and Raty, had little trouble with the Swedish power play, though.

"We were a little nervous in the beginning, and it's hard to lay out your best game when your nervous. We're happy to win, though." Raty said.

The Finns were given their chance to grab control of the game, when Jenni Asserholt Nevalainen took a slashing minor at 8:11. Unfortunately for the Finns, their power play was also an ineffective as the Men's had been just 15 hours prior, in their game against the Czechs.

With about 7 seconds to go, Raty robbed Sweden's Mariah Rooth by making a quick glove save on Rooth's shot from the slot. Keeping the Swedish still goalless forwards still goalless in the tournament.

In the 2nd period, Sweden gave Finland another power play-Frida Nevalainen, tripping- but Shara Grahn in the Swedish Goal was just as impressive as Raty had been for the Finns earlier. However, seconds after Nevalainen got back on the ice, Finland's Heidi Pelttari got the puck on top of the left faceoff circle, she took a couple of steps in and fired a wrist shot from the faceoff dot, and beat Grahm high on the glove side to give Finland the important 1-0 lead.

And given multiple chances, Sweden finally converted one. At 31:11 Mariia Posa was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Isabelle Jordansson fired up a slap shot from the blue line, and Maria Rooth netted her first goal of the tournament, by deflecting the shot from the slot, beating Raty high on her glove shot at 32:24, and tied the game.

Just 36 seconds later, the Finns were down a player again, but managed to kill the team penalty off. In the next shift, Michelle Karvinen got the puck in the Finnish Zone, and she came flying down the ice on the right lane, beat a Swedish Defensemen on the offensive blue line, and cut to the front of the net, went around Grahn and then slammed the puck to the back off the net to give Finland a 2-1 lead at 36:02.

Another penalty would prove to be costly. Pelttarit took a hooking penalty, and the Swedes got to work. Elin Holmlov played the puck to Gunilla Andersson on the point. She onetimed it to the net, Raty made a pad save but Danijela Rundqvist got the rebound. Raty made another save. Rundqviust was the first to grab the second rebound and she put the puck in the net with a backhander, at 45:09.

Sweden got another power play opportunity when Mari Saarinen took a body checking minor, but is slipped through the fingers when Pernilla Wineberg took a penalty for high sticking 43 seconds later. The game went to OT tied at 2-2.

"Before OT, our coaches told us we were the stronger team and we just had to keep believing in our ourselves. If we did, we'd eventually win," said Sweden's Maria Rooth. Faith just wasn't enough, Especially since the other team had some of that, too.

"I never thought we'd get to a penalty shootout, I believed we'd win the game in OT. We were the better team, we moved better. I wasn't with the team so I don't know what he said, but I think he'd just tell the players to get some pucks out of the net," said goaltender Raty.

A little over two minutes into it, Karoliina Rantamaki sent a pass towards the Finnish net, trying to reach Sara Tuominen at the far post. Unfortunately for the Sweden, Erika Holst, trying to keep Tuominen from scoring, deflected the puck into her own net, ending the game. and the tournament, in Finland's Medal Celebrations.

"It's really really, tough" said Swedens goaltender Sara Grahn.

"Losing this game really sucks," added Erika Holst.

"It was a really close game which when we played Finland is pretty a one goal difference in the game." When they went up 1-0 we just had to keep the puck back on the net and determine to tie the game," she said.

Finland's head coach Pekka Hamalainen were all smiles. "This is the highlight of my career. We've made a fantastic journey together, and I'm proud of the commitment the team has shown" he said.

Kiprusoff, Team Defense Shutdown's the Czech Republic

With one of the most defensive showdowns of the enter tournament with the first goal not coming until Niklas Hagaman broke the deadlock in a game of chicken where despite the shot count being so high in this game, it was getting to the point where one goal could have been enough to win the game.

Thanks to Mikka Kiprusoff's great performance, that made the difference as the Finns were able to shut out the Czechs and the team will be back in the Semifinals and Medal Round for the 2nd straight Olympics after coming so close to winning their first ever Olympic Gold Medal in their team's history.

For the Czech Republic, this ends a streak where the Czechs will not for an Olympic Medal for the first time since 1994. Could be a major sign of the decline of Czech Hockey in recent years. Their Junior Team have struggled, they not producing more players to the NHL in recent years and the Czech Extraliga has been going downhill steadily over the last decade or so.

Also, they had one of the older rosters on the team that for some of these guys that this would most likely be their final International Tournament of their careers.

For Finland, it's a shot at redemption against the U.S.A. as the Finns are looking for the nations first ever Olympic Gold after winning Silver Medals in 1988 (Calgary) and 2006 (Turin, Italy) and winning Bronze Medals in 1994 (Lillehammer, Norway) and 1998 (Nagano, Japan). Finland's last senior international Gold Medal was back in 1995 when the IHWC was held in Stockholm.

Finland VS. Czech Republic Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/pictures/page/0/game/FIN%20-%20CZE%20%28QF%29.html

Finland VS. Czech Republic Game Summary: www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-hockey/schedule-and-results/mens-play-offs-quarterfinals---game-25_ihm400303gi.html

Here's the Matches for the Semifinals on Friday. Both Games will be at the Hockey Canada Place.

U.S.A. VS. Finland 12:00 PM PST

Canada VS. Slovakia 6:30 PM PST

Risto Pakarinen of the International Ice Hockey Federation: www.iihf.com

Thanks to Mikka Kiprusoff's shutout and Niklas Hagman's power play goal, Finland stayed in Vancouver to play a semi-final game against Team U.S.A., after 2-0 win over the Czech Republic late on Wednesday night.

"Just another day at the office for "Kipper"." said Teemu Selanne.

Finland managed to get a bye by being the best 2nd place team, while the Czechs had to go the full rounds with Latvia in the 2nd round game on Tuesday night. Maybe it was the Czechs' slight fatigue that caused penalty trouble they were in early in the game.

"Often it's better to play on back to back days, but I don't know, maybe they were tired. Although, they all play in the NHL and they should be used to it," Finland's Tuomo Ruutu said.

"This was a huge improvement over our game against Sweden. We wanted to be active, and take initiate. It's easier to be aggressive and play with our emotion if you know that somebody will cover for you. The defensemen can pinch when you can pinch they can trust the forwards," he added.

Just 3:38 into the game, Finland had a two-man advantage, a golden opportunity to score. The power play was turned into a 4-on-3 special when Finland captain Saku Koivu was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Finland-who had scored six power play goals in the first 3 games of the tournament-couldn't capitalize on its chance, nor did it score on any of the other four power play chances it had in this game.

Not only did the penalties give Finland the upper hand in the period, they also kept the Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr off the ice, as coach Ruzicka went with other players in the penalty kill. Jagr played only 2:08 in the first period.

In the 2nd period, the Czechs stayed out of the penalty box, a recipe for success, and they managed to create some good scoring chances. Team Captain Patrik Elias had an empty net in front of him halfway through the period, but the puck bounced over the blade. In fact, the only penalty of the period was on Olli Jokinen delaying of the game at 15:41 after he moved the net during a Czech attack. The ensued power play unit with Elias, Jagr, and Tomas Plekanec and defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Tomas Kaberle created a couple of good chances, but Kiprusoff was perfected in the Finnish goal.

"The most important thing is how the goalie makes his team feel, if he gives them the extra confidence. He doesn't even have to be the best in the world, if he makes his teammates more confident," said Jaromir Jagr."

The game was as round as the goalless score after two periods indicated. The Finns out shot the Czechs out shot Finland 11-10. And it came down the wire. Both teams were very careful in their own ends, with the first goal simply getting the puck over the blueline, and then went looking for that one mistake. Or a Power Play chance to take advantage.

Finland got its chance at 52:17 when Martin Erat was sent to the box for delaying the game. With 6:26 remaining, the puck was played to Janne Niskala whose slapshot Niklas Hagman deflected to the back of the net through Vokoun's five hole.

"It was tough luck for us, because the defensemen lost his helmet and he had to go and pick it up. But, it's a part of the game," Jagr commented on the play that left Hagman in front of the net.

Finland will play the U.S.A. in it's semifinal on Friday

"It'll be a tough game, they have a couple of skilled lines, but also players that are physical. A little bit like our team," said Defensemen Kimmo Timonen.

Team Canada Shuts out Finland, To Play the U.S.A. For Gold on Thursday

After the U.S.A. crushed Sweden, Canada used the 2nd semifinal to get a shutout against Finland to play for Gold against arch rival U.S.A. for the Gold Medal on Thursday night.

From Lucas Aykroyd of the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

The Canadian Women overcame a sparkling performance by Finnish Goaile Noora Raty, by winning 5-0 in Monday's 2nd Semifinal at Canada Hockey Place. The result sets up a classic U.S.A. VS. Canada Gold Medal Game on Thursday night.

Thanks to Ratys heroics, the score was closer then expected for most of the night, despite Canada's 50-11 edge in SOG. "I think it was like one of the best performances I've ever had", said Raty.

2010 marks the third time the North American Superpowers will battle for gold since Women's Hockey was introduced as an Olympic Sport back in 1998. The Americans beat Canada 3-1 that year in Nagano, while the Canadians claimed the title on Salt Lake City on 2002 with a 3-2 victory.

"It's an Olympic Final Game, and that's when we've been working toward all year," said Canada's Jennifer Botterill. "Were excited, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we're going to enjoy it."

VS. Finland, Haley Irwin stepped up with two goals for Canada, and tournament scoring leader Meghan Agosta with 14 points (9G 5A) chipped in a goal and assist. Agosta sets a new record for most goals in One Olympic Tournament when she plotted her 9th of 2010 in the 2nd period. That surpassed retired Canadian great Danielle Goyette's mark of 8 back in 1998.

Canada is the defending Olympic Champion from Turin 2006, where it defeated Sweden 4-1 in the final. In Monday's early Semifinal, the Americans got revenge on Swedes, who knocked them out of title contention in Turin, spanking Sweden 9-1.

"In some ways, it was a little disappointing we didn't get to face the Americans in the 2006 Olympics," said Canadian veteran Jayna Hefford, who scored the gold medal winning goal in 2002. "Of course, you'll take a gold medal anyday over facing a particular team, but you know what? Canada-U.S.A. is something people love to watch and we love to play in. It's going to be a great battle on Thursday night.

Canada heads into the final with a whopping goal differential of 46-2 in 4 games so far. However, it failed to capitalize on the Power Play against Finland, even though the blue and white women took six minor penalty in the game.

"The Finns played a tough, in your face game and they were good with their sticks in the lanes," said Canadian captain Hayley Wickenheiser. "They made it hard for us to generate momentum, and their goalie was excellent. They gave us probably the best game they could with the skills they have."

"We just battled and we didn't quit," said Raty. Facing Sweden in Thursday's Bronze Medal game, will seek it's first Olympic Women's Hockey Medal since winning Bronze in 1998. The Diminutive but tenacious Finns did their best to clog up the middle and clear loose pucks out of their end, but simply couldn't generate enough offensively to support Raty's great play. They'd acknowledged before this game that ousting Canada would be a "humongous task", and it proved to be too much for them.

Finland starved off Canada's untill the 5:22 mark, when Agosta swirled around the Finnish net and centered a sweet backhand feed to Cherile Piper, who banged it past Raty. At 14:36, Just after a Finnish Penalty had expired, Haley Irwin picked up a loose puck in Raty's goal crease and shoveled it past the netminder's right skate for a 2-0 lead. The Canadians outshot Finland 15-2 in the 1st period.

The host team continued to press in the middle frame, and the Finnish netminder had to keep her best mini-Mikka Kiprusoff impression. Even though Raty Stonned Sarah Vaillancourt on a rebound at the end of an early power play and slid across to make a great glove save on Gina Kingsbury, she couldn't stop Agosta at 16:21 when the Ruthven, Ontario Native scooped in a rebound with the teams playing 4-on-4 when the buzzer sounded, the shots were 32-5 in favor of Canada.

Raty stopped Agosta on a partial breakaway early in the third period. But at 4:23, Irwin scored her 2nd of the game on a rebound that deflected in off the goalie's to make it 4-0. Wickenheiser put the puck off the post on a late solo rush. Jenni Hiirikoski was shaken up on a collision deep in the Finnish end with Gillian Apps with 4 minutes left.

Canadian Fans sang a spontaneous rendition of "O Canada" as the clock ticked down, and Caroline Ouellette rounded out the scoring with 1:03 left to make it 5-0.

With the Gold Medal Game looming, the Americans are the two time defending World Champion, but the Canada has the edge in exhibition leading up to the Vancouver Olympics.

"We know exactly what [Team USA's] motivation is going to be," said Hefford. "We've heard it many times. It's going to be Salt Lake, and it's going to be the "Miracle on Ice". Good for them, That's their experience. Our Experience as Canadian Hockey players is completely different, and we're so proud here in Canada. This crowd is giving us energy every night."

Netminder Shannon Szabados earned her first shutout of the tournament for Canada. "This team played well in front of me, and it's really exciting," said Szabados. "I didn't get many shots in the early going, which makes it tough to stay focused mentally. "You have to find ways to keep yourself occupied, because all these teams are good and they're going to get their chances eventually."

This was the third straight Olympic Semi-Final Victory for Canada over Finland. (7-3 in 2002, 6-0 in 2006).

Finland Olympic Roster

For the Finns this year, they hoping that the familiarity and recent experience that helped win the Silver Medal in Italy in 2006 will help them bring home their first ever Olympic Gold Medal after losing to Sweden in 2006. 15 of the players that played in Italy are back including for some guys where this could be their final shot at Olympic Gold including Dallas Stars forward Jere Lehtinen and Teemu Selanne who are both playing in their 4th Olympic Games and each were among the top scores for Finland in 2006.

The goaltender position has a ton of NHL and International Experience as Mikka Kiprusoff and Niklas Backstrom are expected to fight it out to be the starter while Antero Nittymaki who is also returning will probably be the #3 goalie for the team. What may give Backstrom the edge is his form right now as Kiprusoff where despite having strong numbers with a 2.20 GAA and a .924 SV%, he's been known to leak some critical goals and without much of a backup in Calgary right now, they doesn't seem to be very much pushing him right now for the Flames.

Backstrom has lesser numbers, but has shown a better ability to keep his fitness up and recover quicker in fast turnarounds then Kiprusoff and seems to make the bigger saves better despite having a weak team around him right now this season for the Minnesota Wild.

The Finns also bring back a defense that had the best team defense in the Olympics in 2006 that gave up 8 goals in the 8 games which included shutouts against Switzerland, Canada. The Quarterfinals where after a surprisingly bad group round, the Americans fought hard to come back only to lose 4-3. Then in the Semifinals, a convincing 4-0 win over Russia got them to the Gold Medal Game before losing a very close 3-2 game against the Sweds for the Gold Medal.

Also perhaps one of the best defensemen that was named to the all Olympic Tournament Team, Kimmo Timonen will be joined like Lasse Kukkonen and Saku Koivu who have been regulars on the Olympic Roster in recent years. Joining him will be 3 new fresh faces with Junior and IHWC experience, but are making their Olympic Debuts in Sami Lepisto (PHX), Joni Pitkanen and Janne Niskala who plays in Sweden for Frolunda.

Can the Finns take that final step and win the Countries first ever Olympic Gold Medal or will will they fall off again on the biggest stage what happened in 2006. With this roster, and with a great element of dangerous scoring potential, solid goaltenders and a rock hard defense that was next to impossible to score on at times, the Finns are going all in to win gold.

Finland will be in Group C where the Sweden VS. Finland game is expected to be the marquee game of the group to wrap up the Group and should be for the Group Winner and a 2nd round bye. As for the loser, they still may have a shot at getting the 4th and final 2nd round bye that will go to the team with the best 2nd place team.

But first, it's a game against Belarus who's coming back after missing out in 2006 then Germany who's bringing up a game against Germany who's looking to comeback after a the Germans didn't win a single game in 2006, which included a tie against Lowly Italy.

Like a majority of the powerhouse teams, an impressive 18 players will be from the NHL. As for the other 5, 4 of them are from the KHL's biggest teams like Avangard Omsk and AK Bars Kazan. Only one player coming from the Swedish Elitsern and no one from Finland's top league called the SM-Liiga.

Team Finland Group Stage Schedule

2/17: VS. Belarus 2:00 PM

2/19: VS. Germany 10:55 PM

2/21: VS. Sweden 10:55 PM


Team Finland Roster

Goalies

Niklas Backstrom, 6'2" 196, Helsinki FIN, Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Mikka Kiprusoff, 6'2" 190, Turku FIN, Calgary Flames (NHL)

Antero Nittyamki, 6'1" 195, Turku FIN, Tampa Bay Lighting (NHL)


Defensemen

Lasse Kukkonen, 6'0" 187, Oulu FIN, Avangard Omsk (RUS, KHL)

Sami Lepisto, 6'1" 195, Espoo FIN, Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)

Toni Lydman, 6'1" 202, Lahti FIN, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)

Janne Niskala, 6'0" 187, Vasteras FIN, Frolunda Gothenburg (Elitersen, SWE)

Joni Pitkanen, 6'3" 202, Oulu FIN, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

Sami Salo, 6'3" 212, Turku FIN, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)

Kimmo Timonen, 5'10" 196, Kuopio FIN, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)


Forwards

Valtteri Filppula, 6'0" 189, Vantaa FIN, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

Niklas Hagman, 6'0" 205, Espoo FIN, Calgary Flames (NHL)

Jarkko Immonen, 6'0" 209, Kuopo FIN, AK Bars Kazan (RUS, KHL)

Olli Jokinen, 6'3" 210, Kuopo FIN, New York Rangers (NHL)

Niko Kapanen, 5'9" 180, Hattula FIN, AK Bars Kazan (RUS, KHL)

Mikko Koivou, 6'2" 205, Turku FIN, Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Saku Koivou, 5'10" 183, Turku FIN, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

Jere Lehtinen, 6'0" 200, Espoo FIN, Dallas Stars (NHL)

Antti Miettinen, 6'0" 190, Hameelinna FIN, Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Ville Peltonen, 5'11" 185, Vantaa FIN, Dynamo Minsk (BLR, KHL)

Jarkko Ruutu, 6'2" 195, Helsinki FIN, Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Tuomo Ruutu, 6'2" 202, Vantaa FIN, Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

Teemu Selanne, 6'0" 200, Helsinki FIN, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

WJC Quarterfinal Preview: USA VS. Finland & Russia VS. Switzerland

Here's a look at what to expect later on today for the WJC Quarterfinals as we begin the knockout round brackets today.

For the USA, they have had a tendency to let down after big loses, the last 2 years especially. In the 2008 tournament, after going unbeaten in group play, the USA had a huge loss to Canada in the semifinals where the team never looked the same as they struggled against Russia to claim the Bronze Medal Game. Team USA later lossed that game to finish 4th that year.

Then last year, it was a loss against Canada in the final Group Stage game where they entered the Quarterfinal where Slovakia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent WJC memory where the Slovaks went on to almost beat Sweden in the Semifinal. Today, they will play Finland where they coming off a 7-1 thrashing of Sweden where despite the loss, they were still able to finish 3rd in Group B ahead of the Czech Republic to avoid being in the relegation round for the 2nd straight year.

About Finland

The Finns have a strong team that will throw everything it can towards team USA Goalie Jack Campbell. The trouble for the Finns has been getting the puck in the net where they are tied for 2nd in the tournament with 185 shots, but is converting only at a 8.11 scoring precent which is just 15 goals.

This failure could have turned losses against Sweden and Russia to wins. Against Group Winner Sweden, Finland out shot their rivals 26-3 in the first period, but didn't score. In fact, the Swedes scored the only goal of the period which eventually lead to a 7-1 win.

Expect the Finnish Offense to throw every shot possible here in this game tonight.

About Russia VS. Switzerland

Switzerland will play in the afternoon game today at 4:00 PM before the USA VS. Finland Game. The winner will play Canada in tomorrow's Semifinal. Switzerland is the heavy underdog here, but they have played much better since the USA Game back on December 27.

A strong top line, a great goaltender and have all the ingredients to rock the boat. Can they have enough to upset the Russians, my pick is no. It will be Sweden VS. USA & Canada VS. Russia as the top 4 Junior Teams in the World will round out the tournament to play for the Medals on January 5.

Relegation Round

It just became final just a little while ago as Slovakia improved their chances of staying in the WJC for 2011 as the Slovaks beat Austria 3-2 to put them in front of the relegation Round Standings with 6 points while Austria despite it's best game of the tournament faces relegation as they have no points and a -7 GD in the relegation round in this game and in the game against the Czech Republic where they lost 7-1.

Tomorrow, it will be Czech Republic VS. Latvia at 12:00 Noon in Saskatoon as a Czech Win would send both Latvia and Austria down to the 2011 U20 Division 1 Tournament.

2010 World Junior Championship Knockout and Releguation Rounds

As we appoarch the End of the Group Stage. We are starting to set the stage for the Knockout Rounds as we march towards the 2010 World Junior Championship and who half to survive to keep their spot for the WJC 2011 in Buffalo, N.Y. next year. So far, we know that USA, Canada and Sweden have officaly clinched spots at least in the Quarterfinals and have a shot getting the automatic semifinals spots which will gurantee them a spot in the Medal Round on the final day of the WJC on January 5.

In the QF's, the 2nd and 3rd place teams will cross over and will play a single elinmation game where winners will play the group winners in the Semifinals. After that, the QF Losers will head to the 5th Place Game which is used for World Ranking and Seeding Purproses for next year's event in New York State.

Then the SF Losers will play each other for the Bronze Medal while the Winners will play for the Gold Medal next Saturday. Canada has won the Gold Medal at this level 5 straight years while their biggest rivals (Esp. the USA & Sweden) will look to knock them off. The USA was the last team to win the WJC Gold back in 2004 when the event was held in Finland.

For the Releguation Round, the 4th and 5th place teams will battle to survive to keep their spots for next year. Each team will play the 2 teams from the other group while the Game between the 2 releguated round teams will transfer over from the Group Stage. The 1st and 2nd place teams will finish 7th and 8th overall and will stay in this tournament for next season.

While the 3rd and 4th place teams will finish 9th and 10th overall and will be sent down to the 2011 WJC Division 1 Tournament for next year. So far, Latvia and Austria have been guranteed Relegation Round Spots while the loser of Switzerland VS. Slovakia game tomorrow and the 4th place team between Czech Republic and Finland will be battaling to keep their spot.

Relegation Round

1/2: Slovakia 3 Austria 2 (2-0, 0-2, 1-0)

1/3: Czech Republic 10 Latvia 2 (5-0, 2-2, 3-0)

1/4: Czech Republic VS. Slovakia 12:00 PM

1/4: Austria VS. Latvia 4:00 PM

Relegation Round Standings

1. Czech Republic 2-0-0-0 6 PTS 17-3

2. Slovakia 2-0-0-0 6 PTS 11-5

3. Austria 0-0-0-2 0 PTS 3-11

4. Austria 0-0-0-1 0 PTS 1-7

Czech Republic & Slovakia have kept their spot for the 2011 WJC in Buffalo

Austria & Latvia have been relegated to the 2011 U20 Division 1 Tournament

Quarterfinals

1/2: Russia 2 Switzerland 3 (OT) (0-0, 2-1, 0-1, 0-1)

1/2: U.S.A. 6 Finland 2 (2-0, 1-1, 3-1)

If Canada plays in the Quarterfinals, They will play at 4:00 PM.

If Canada reaches the Semifinals, Then the 2B VS. 3A Game will be changed to 4:00 PM will allow for Equal Rest for the teams before the Semifinals.

Semifinals

1/3: Canada 6 Switzerland 1 (1-0, 2-1, 3-0)

1/3: Sweden 2 U.S.A. 5 (0-1, 2-1, 0-3)


5th Place Game

1/4: Russia VS. Finland 8:00 PM


Bronze Medal Game

1/5: Switzerland VS. Sweden 3:00 PM


Gold Medal Game

1/5: Canada VS. U.S.A. 7:00 PM

World Junior Championship Update

We are 2 days into the World Junior Championships in Saskatchewan and the Americans have won both games so far into the tournament where the USA came back from a bad start against Slovakia to come back to win big 7-3 over the Slovaks, then yesterday, the USA had their way against Switzerland with a 3-0 shutout win that got the team to 2-0 overall.

Elsewhere, the first day was a full for blowouts the opening day saw 2 double digit as the tournament favorites Canada took out Latvia 16-0 while Sweden beat the Czechs 10-1, in addition, last year's Bronze Medalist Russia took down Austria 6-2 in their opening game.

Today we will reach the midway point of the group stage with 2 games. Tournament Host Canada will take on Switzerland whose looking to come back after a loss yesterday while the Fins have some things to figure out, where after a 3-0 lead in the 2nd period, the Fins allowed the Czech Republic got a late goal in the 2nd period. Then the Czech Republic scored 3 times in the 3rd including Sami Vatanen for plays for JYP Jyvaskyla in Finland's SM Liiga and is also a recent draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks helped the Czechs comeback to beat the Fins.

The Czechs are dealing with major injury problems this year and with having the smallest roster in terms of number of players this year, that win could be huge towards attempting to get them through to the Knockout rounds of the tournament after New Years.

If the Czechs want to prove that the comeback was no fluke, they need to control an Austrian team that is just looking to avoid being relegated this season after scoring just 5 goals so far in their first two games.

Look for a Standings update after today's games between Canada VS. Switzerland then later today it's Finland VS. Russia.

Tomorrow is the Final Day of the Group Stage which will lead up to the Final game of the day where the USA VS. Canada will determine the Automatic Semifinal Spot in Group A. But first, a critcal game between Switzerland and Slovakia will determine the 3rd and final QF Spot out of Group A.

While in Group B, we have the Scandevindal Rivals Sweden and Finland where a Sweden Win will clinch Group B and the Automatic Semifinal Spot, for Finland, they need this to improve their chances of a Quarterfinal Spot while any slip up, even in OT will open the door for the Czech Republic to sneak in and force Finland to the Relguation Round for the 2nd straight year.

In a tournament where they have been few upsets and everything for the most part has gone to plan, this is where the WJC usually kicks into high gear as we get ready for the knockout rounds and the relegutation where it will determine who will keep their spots for the 2010-2011 season and who will be sent down to Division 1 next year. As for the 2 promoted teams, it will be Germany and Norway that will be bumped up for next season.

Tournament Standings

Group A

1. Canada 3-1-0-0 11 PTS 35-6

2. U.S.A. 3-0-1-0 10 PTS 26-9

3. Switzerland 2-0-0-2 6 PTS 17-11

4. Slovakia 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 8-18

5. Latvia 0-0-0-4 0 PTS 9-43

Group B

1. Sweden 4-0-0-0 12 PTS 28-6

2. Russia 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 14-8

3. Finland 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 15-13

4. Czech Rep. 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 13-20

5. Austria 0-0-0-4 0 PTS 7-30

Sweden & Canada have advanced to the Semifinals

The Quarterfinals will be USA VS. Finland & Russia VS. Switzerland

Slovakia, Latvia, Czech Republic & Austria will play in the Releguation Round

Slovakia and Czech Republic will enter the Releguation Round with 3 points while Austria and Latvia will have 0 points.

Here's the scores from the first 2 days of the Tournament.

12/26

Czech Republic 1 Sweden 10 (0-4, 1-2, 0-4)

Latvia 0 Canada 16 (0-5, 0-6, 0-5)

Russia 6 Austria 2 (4-1, 1-1, 1-0)

Slovakia 3 U.S.A. 7 (2-1, 1-4, 0-2)


12/27

Austria 3 Sweden 7 (0-2, 3-2, 0-3)

U.S.A. 3 Switzerland 0 (0-0, 1-0, 2-0)

Czech Republic 3 Finland 4 (2-0, 1-1, 0-3)

Slovakia 8 Latvia 3 (5-0, 2-2, 1-1)


Here's the schedule for the rest of the Group Stage!

12/28

Canada 6 Switzerland 0 (2-0, 3-0, 1-0)

Finland 0 Russia 2 (0-1, 0-1, 0-0)

12/29

Austria 1 Czech Republic 7 (1-1, 0-3, 0-3)

Latvia 1 U.S.A. 12 (0-6, 1-1, 0-5)

Sweden 4 Russia 1 (2-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Canada 8 Slovakia 2 (3-0, 4-1, 1-1)


12/30

Finland 10 Austria 1 (5-0, 3-1, 2-0)

Switzerland 7 Latvia 5 (2-3, 1-1, 4-1)


12/31

Sweden 7 Finland 1 (1-0, 3-0, 3-1)

Switzerland 4 Slovakia 1 (0-0, 1-0, 3-1)

Russia 5 Czech Republic 2 (1-0, 1-1, 3-1)

U.S.A. 4 Canada 5 (SO) (1-1, 2-1, 1-2, 0-0, 0-1)

2010 World Junior Championship Schedule

As we are now under a month to go till the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship which will be taking place in Saskatoon and Regina in Saskatchewan Canada. I will start posting info such as the schedule, news from the Team USA Camps and the rosters of the different teams as they start coming out in the run up of the tournament.

Canada has dominated the tournament as they have won gold the last 5 seasons dating back to the 2004-2005 season. The USA is the last time a team other then Canada has won gold back in 2004. For the recent WJC Medal for the Americans, you have to look at the 2007 event when they won Bronze when the tournament was hosted in Sweden. Sweden has finished with the Silver while Russia has had the Bronze the last 2 seasons.

Perhaps the most interesting note for the early portion of the tournament, is that they will play Slovakia who knocked them out in the Quarterfinals last year will be their Tournament opener this year.

Tournament Format: 10 teams are divided into 2 groups of 5 in the group stage. After the Round Robin, the top 3 will advance to the knockout stages. The Group Winners will get a QF Round Bye while the 2nd and 3rd place teams will move on the Quarterfinals. The Knockout stages become a single elimination till we reach the Gold Medal where they crown the champions.

For the 4th and 5th Place Teams, they will head into the Relegation Round where they will battle to survive to keep their spot for next season. The 1st and 2nd place teams will finish 7th and 8th overall and keep their spots, while the 3rd and 4th place teams will finish 9th and 10th overall and will lose their spots, they are replaced by the 1st and 2nd place teams from this years Division 1 Tournament.

Tournament Groups

Group A in Saskatoon: Canada, Slovakia, U.S.A., Latvia, Switzerland

Group B in Regina: Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic, Finland, Austria


All Group A Games will be at the Credit Union Center in Saskatoon

All Group B Games will be at the Brandt Center in Regina

Here's the Tournament Schedule so you can get familiar with it now as we get closer to the start of the WJC. I will show the Group A Games first which include the USA and Canada then the Group B Games. Saskatchewan is in the Central Time Zone, so they will be no time zone changes during the Tournament which will make it easy to follow.

To find more info, here's some more websites to follow as we get closer to the start of the championship.

IIHF: www.iihf.com

USA Hockey: www.usahockey.com

Hockey Canada: www.hockeycanada.ca

Austria: www.eishockey.at

Czech Republic: www.hokej.cz

Finland: www.finhockey.fi

Latvia: www.lhf.lv

Russia: www.fhr.ru/content/23

Slovakia: www.szlh.sk/uvod

Sweden: www.swehockey.se

Switzerland: www.swiss-icehockey.ch/SIH/de/index.php

Tournament Schedule (Group Stage)

12/26

A: Latvia VS. Canada 3:00 PM

A: Slovakia VS. U.S.A. 7:00 PM

B: Czech Republic VS. Sweden 1:00 PM

B: Russia VS. Austria 5:00 PM


12/27

A: U.S.A. VS. Switzerland 3:00 PM

A: Slovakia VS. Latvia 7:00 PM

B: Austria VS. Sweden 1:00 PM

B: Czech Republic VS. Finland 5:00 PM


12/28

A: Canada VS. Switzerland 3:00 PM

B: Finland VS. Russia 5:00 PM


12/29

A: Latvia VS. U.S.A. 3:00 PM

A: Canada VS. Slovakia 7:00 PM

B: Austria VS. Czech Republic 1:00 PM

B: Sweden VS. Russia 5:00 PM


12/30

A: Switzerland VS. Latvia 3:00 PM

B: Finland VS. Austria 1:00 PM


12/31

A: Switzerland VS. Slovakia 3:00 PM

A: U.S.A. VS. Canada 7:00 PM

B: Sweden VS. Finland 1:00 PM

B: Russia VS. Czech Republic 5:00 PM


1/1: Tournament Off Day

Tournament Schedule (Knockout and Relegation)

When we get to the playoffs and Relegation, the Relegation Round Games will all be at the Brandt Center in Regina while the Knockout Round will be at the Credit Union Center in Saskatoon.

1/2

Rele: A4 VS. B5 12:00 PM

QFS: A2 VS. B3 4:00 PM

QFS: B2 VS. A3 8:00 PM


1/3

Rele: B4 VS. A5 12:00 PM

SFS: A1 VS. QF2W 4:00 PM

SFS: B1 VS. QF1W 8:00 PM


1/4

Rele: A4 VS. A4 12:00 PM

Rele: B4 VS. B5 4:00 PM

5th: QF1L VS. QF2L 8:00 PM


1/5

Bronze: SF1L VS. SF2L 3:00 PM

Gold: SF1W VS. SF2W 6:00 PM

Dallas Stars going to Olympic Camps

Throughout the summer, the 12 teams that will be playing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics coming up in Feb. The different Olympic camps are the 1st step to find out who will eventually make the final rosters and will get to play in the 12 team tournament. Several players from the Dallas Stars have been invited, the highest profile is Mike Modano who is deeply in the mix to make the USA Roster what will be most likely for the final time in his career who just turned 39 during the offseason. As one of the last players from the USA Golden era with players like Jeremy Roenick who retired earlier this month, he's going to bring them in as a leadership role off the ice most likely as the team will most likely will be very young with players like Patrick Kane and Zach Parise.

For USA Hockey, the main goal is to introduce a new generation of USA Players to the international spotlight to improve the teams chances at the both the senior and junior levels in the future. Back in 2006, the USA had one of their worst tournament showings ever where the team only won one game against Kazakhstan and had some disappointing results in the group stage which included a tie against Latvia and 3 losses against Slovakia, Sweden and Russia all by one goal. Then in the Quarterfinals, where they were knocked out by Finland.

This time the USA is looking to the future as they will hope to be a surprise medalist, but looking towards 2014 where the Americans hope to have a shot at Gold.

For Mike Modano, he's hoping to make up for a bad performance from 2006 and most likely end his international career on a strong note and possibly helping the USA get back on the Medal Podium and help the young players deal with the pressure of playing international hockey at both the junior and senior levels.

For Canada, Marty Turco was one of the surprises left off the roster despite making the team as the 3rd goalie and getting very little playing time in Italy in 2006, but with Canada hosting and under a lot of pressure to medal, he could possibly have a shot if he has a strong year to possibly sneak into the roster.

After an injury plagued season, Brendan Morrow is ready to hit the ice and as the captain of the Dallas Stars, he's looking to make up for lost time and regardless of him injured or not, he's looking to make the team as many fans in Canada believe that he can come back and have a strong tournament on home ice. For Stephane Robidas who made it with the defensemen, he's going to have a hard time dealing with players like Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger which should be on the team without much debate on defense, it will be tough for him to make the roster even though he may have what it takes for 2014 Olympic Tournament.

As for some of the other hopefuls, Jere Lehtinen is back in the fray after helping Finland win the Silver Medal in 2006 along with other players like Nicklas Hagman, and Teemu Selanne. He's hoping to get the Fins back on the Medal podium and by going one step higher by winning the Olympic Tournament coming up in Feb.

Sweden will have also have a couple of Stars players with Nicklas Grossman, Fabian Brunnstrom and Loui Eriksson hoping to help defend Sweden's Gold medal from 2006 in Italy.