IHWC Relegation Round Update: Kazakhstan and Italy sent down

The Relegation Round ended today with the Italians giving the Americans a tough battle as the Americans finally ended the game in OT to finish on top and 13th overall to end a disappointing tournament after finishing 4th last year.

Despite the point in the OT, it wasn't enough to keep them up in the IHWC for the 2011 Season as they needed the full 3 points to avoid relegation.

After trading goals in the first period, the desperate Italians went up 2-1 and were looking to hold on and send France down to DIV. 1, but when Ryan Potulny made it 2-2 midway through the 3rd period to tie the game. In the end, T.J. Oshie got his 4th goal of the tournament to finish with 8 points in the Relegation Round and won all 3 Relegation Games by scoring 17 goals against Kazakhstan, Italy and France.

France sent Kazakhstan down with a huge 3 goal 1st period. Even though Kazakhstan was able to stay up with them to make it 3-2. When France scored 9 minutes into the 3rd period to make it 5-2. It pretty much sunk Kazakhstan's chances of staying up for the 2011 IHWC which will be in Slovakia.

To replace Kazakhstan and Italy, it will be Austria and Slovenia who won the Division 1 Tournaments in late April. The teams will be joining Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Ukraine, Great Britain, Hungary, South Korea and Poland. Moving up from Division 2 to Division 1 for the 2010-2011 season will be Spain and Estonia who won the Division 2 Tournaments this season.


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

USA 3 Italy 2 (SO) (1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

USA VS. Italy Game Photos: www.iihf.com/sk/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/USA%20-%20ITA.html

By Alan Adams

From Colonge, Germany: It was one of those bittersweet moments for the United States at the IIHF World Championship on Tuesday.

T.J. Oshie scored on a wrist shot in a sudden-death shootout to give the United States a 3-2 win at the 2010 IIHF World Championships. Oshie was the seventh shooter for the Americans and he took all three shots in the Sudden Death Shootout for the USA.

The point the USA gained when the OT Buzzer sounded to end the third period and sent the game to OT guaranteed that the Americans would ne demoted to the IIHF's 2nd tier. The USA wound up in first place in the Relegation Round, while France was second.

"The hockey gods were not with us", said USA Defensemen Jack Johnson. "I'am glad we can look forward to next year. We're glad it is over but we're glad for next year."

"There was an immense amount of pressure," said Brandon Dubinsky. "I do not know if a USA Team has ever been relegated before, and none of us wanted to be part of the first one."

Italy and Kazakhstan were demoted.

"We got a good point out of a good team, that was good," said Italian forward Roland Ramoser. "I think we did a good job here, but we should have beaten France, that's where we lost the tournament."

The USA went into the game knowing the easiest way to avoid the embarrassment of being sent down was to beat the Italians and there times when the USA played so much better then in the Italian end someone might have through the ice was tilted.

The Italians sent a shock wave across the U.S. Bench at 6:49 of the third period on a goal by Stefano Margoni put Italy ahead 2-1. He took a pass at center and was in full flight when he sent a wrist shot that got past goalie Scott Clemmensen, who didn't look sharp on the play.

Italy was close to a sensation as they needed the full three points to stay in the top division. The Italians have had to beat the USA by 8 or more goals to help send the Americans to the 2nd tier of international hockey.

The Americans put on a full court press after the Italians went up 2-1 in an attempt to get the equalizer but goaltender Daniel Bellissimo was up to the challenge, and he had help from his teammates. The Italians often had all five skaters below the top of the faceoff circles in their end and not as many shots made it through the maze as the U.S. would have liked.

But there was nothing Bellissimo could do when Ryan Potulny pounced on a rebound and shoveled the puck into the net to tie the game at 11:08 of the third while the U.S. was on the power play.

American Forward David Moss was robbed of a goal on a breakaway with 44 seconds left in the third period when Bellissimo kicked out his right pad to boot a backhand shot into the corner.

Dubinsky scored his third goal and collected his ninth point of the tournament in the first period to open the scoring. The U.S. was on its second power play of the first period when Dubinsky stepped into a slap shot that beat Bellissimo high to the stick side at 11:45.

Giulio Scandella broke free of the USA Defense and scored on a breakaway with six minutes left in the 2nd period, ending the USA's shutout run at exactly 154 minutes, to tie the game at 14:00.

The Americans had shutouts over Kazakhstan and France in earlier relegation round games. The last time the U.S. won back to back games in the same year without allowing a goal in the World Championship was in 1939 with a 4-0 win over Poland and a 1-0 triumph over Czechoslovakia early on in prelim round play.


Kazakhstan 3 France 5 (2-3, 0-1, 1-1)

Kazakhstan VS. France Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/KAZ%20-%20FRA.html

By Lucas Aykroyd

From Mannheim, Germany: France kept its place in the World Championship, relegating Kazakhstan with a 5-3 win on Tuesday Afternoon. The French will be back for 2011 with the U.S.A, while it's farewell to Kazakhstan and Italy.

With the conclusion of the Relegation Round, the Americans finish in 13th place, while France is 14th, Italy 15th and Kazakhstan finishes last in 16th place. The U.S. and France will play in the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia, taking place in between April 29 and May 15, 2011.

Five different players scored for France, which got two power play goals to double it's overall tournament output. Laurent Gras tallied the eventual winner with 6:17 left in the first period.

French goalie Fabrice Lherny earned the biggest win of the tournament versus Kazakh starter Vitali Yeremeyev, as Kazakhstan out-shot France 38-22.

"We had just one goal today and that was to win," said Lhenry. "It wasn't a pretty game, and we scored a couple of garbage goals, but they went in. The most important thing with the victory, and now we stay in the top pool for next year."

With 7485 spectators on hand, the upper decks at the SAP Arena were packed with local school children, who enthusiastically cheered, jerred and banged their noisemakers through the game. The noise level was actually higher then at some earlier games involving bigger name teams, and the Kazakhs and French fed off the energy from the start.

"It was fun playing with all those screaming kids," said French Forward Stephane Da Costa. "It was different."

Just over four minutes in, on a rush into Kazakhstan's zone, French forward Yorick Treille slid heavily into the end boards and injured his left leg, which twisted awkwardly. He lay crumpled on the ice in obvious pain until attendants carried him off a stretcher. He was then transported to a hospital.

High pitched screams of the delighted greeted France's opening goal on the power-play at 8:39. Sacha Treille, from behind the goal line, snared the puck at Yeremeyev's right post and managed to bounce it off the net-minder's leg.

Kazakhstan responded two minutes later when Dmitri Dudarev won a faeoff in the French end, put a shot off Lehenry that bounced high, and then whacked it out of the air inn the midst of a crease scrum. It was the Metallurg Novokuznetzk forwards team leading fourth goal of the tournament. The French jumped back into a 2-1 lead at 12:19 when Captain Laurent Meunier capitalized on a turnover in Kazakh territory, stick handled his way down to the middle, and put the puck past Yeremeyev on his forehand.

At 13:43, Laurent Gras made it 3-1 France when he barged out of the corner, cut to the net and squeezed a shot through the Kazakh's goalie Roman Starchenko backhanded a shot home from a rebound from Maxim Semenov's point shot.

During an early second period Kazakh power play, Lhenry preserved France's lead with such clutch saves. And midway through the game, his teammates repaid him for his efforts during a power play of their own, as Baptiste Amar beat Yeremeyev through traffic with a center point shot to put France up 4-2.

The French extended their lead to 5-2 at 8:42 of the third period, as a rushing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare's shot from the left faceoff circle tipped off Roman Savchenko's stick and through the goalie. Vadim Krasnoslobtsev scored for Kazakhstan with 6:42 remaining, converting a rebound high over Lhenry's glove to make it 5-3. But that was as close as the former Soviet republic would get.

"We're about the same level as they are, so we just tried to play well defensively, and we had a pretty good game," explained by Stephane Da Costa. "In the end, we played harder. We hit more, and we know they don't like that."

France has retained its spot in the Top Division for the 3rd straight year. Kazakhstan can make its return no earlier then the 2012 Worlds, co-hosted by Finland and Sweden.

Italy and Kazakhstan will play in the World Championship Division 1 Tournament in April 2011. Unless something big changes, the applicants for the two tournaments will by Budapest, Hungary and Kyiv, Ukraine.


Final Relegation Round Standings

1. U.S.A. 2-1-0-0 8 PTS 17-2

2. France 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 7-8

3. Italy 1-0-1-1 4 PTS 5-6

4. Kazakhstan 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 4-17


USA & France will keep their spots for the 2011 IHWC in Slovakia

Italy and Kazakhstan have been sent down to the 2011 IHWC Division 1 Tournament.


Relegation Round Schedule

5/15: USA 10 Kazakhstan 0 (4-0, 5-0, 1-0)

5/15: Italy 1 France 2 (0-1, 0-0, 1-1)

5/16: France 0 USA 4 (0-0, 0-2, 0-2)

5/16: Italy 2 Kazakhstan 1 (0-0, 0-0, 2-1)

5/18: USA 3 Italy 2 (SO) (1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 0-0, 1-0)

5/18: Kazakhstan 3 France 5 (2-3, 0-1, 1-1)

IHWC Qualifying & Relegation Round Update

With the Qualifying & Relegation Rounds about to wrap up tomorrow at the Ice Hockey World Championships. Here's an update of where we are as we get ready for the Quarterfinals which are on May 20.

Group E Action

3 of the 4 Quarterfinal spots have been clinched Russia with their offensive superstars with players like Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk have got them leading Group E and looking strong towards a 3rd straight World Championship Gold Medal, 2nd Round wins over Denmark and Germany has them at 4-0-0-0 and with a win over Finland tomorrow, would clinch the top spot for the Quarterfinals which would get them a matchup with either the Czech Republic, Norway or Latvia who are in a big battle for the 4th and final Quarterfinal Spot in Group F.

Denmark has been this year's big surprise which have included a 6-0 win over Slovakia plus strong wins over Finland and the USA in this year's tournament which have them in the last 8 for the first time ever in the current format.

With a strong and growing group of players in the Swedish Elitsern, plus NHL'ers Peter Regin, Frans Nielsen plus a couple of strong prospects in Lars Eller with the Peoria Rivermen and Philip Larsen who's with the Dallas Stars org.

This is a team that is looking to finish off what's been a disappointing international season by not promoting to the WJC & U18 World Championships, plus not making the Olympic Tournament as well, when they got beat arch rival Norway in the Final Round of Olympic Qualifiers last season. Despite a rough showing against Russia, a win against Denmark could possibly get them a 2nd seed and an improved shot of pulling off a Quarterfinal Upset.

Here's a look at the current Group E standings through 5/17

1. Russia 4-0-0-0 12 PTS 15-6

2. Finland 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 11-6

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

4. Germany 1-0-1-2 4 PTS 6-7

5. Slovakia 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 7-16

6. Belarus 0-1-0-3 2 PTS 5-11


Clinched Quarterfinals Spot

Eliminated from Quarterfinal Contention


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 VS. Germany

5/18: Russia VS. Finland


Group F Update

Despite Switzerland losing the 1st Game of the Qualifying Round, this Swiss team is finally capable of breaking through to win their first major international medal as Switzerland, Sweden and Canada in a battle for the top spot of Group F.

Switzerland's chances took a hit today as Norway a close game 3-2 as the Norwegians came out swinging for 3 goals in the 1st period to go up 3-1, despite a goal early in the 3rd period, Switzerland has been very dangerous by beating Canada in the 1st round and a win over the Czechs in the 2nd Round.

In the other end of the 2nd Round, the battle will comedown to Norway and the Czech Republic as a Latvian Loss pretty much ended their chances with a 3-1 loss in a game that just ended a little while ago.

Norway helped their chances and upped their record to 2-2 with a 3-2 win over Switzerland with a 3 goal 1st period. Norway will have to hold their breath and hope that Canada beat the Czechs as both teams are currently at 6 points in the standings.

The final day of the 2nd Round will have Canada VS. Czech Republic and Sweden against Switzerland which should determine who gets the top spot. The Group Winner will play either Germany or Slovakia as they will play tomorrow.


Here's a look at the current standings through 5/17

1. Sweden 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 13-7

2. Switzerland 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 12-6

3. Canada 2-0-0-2 6 PTS 20-9

4. Czech Rep. 2-0-0-2 6 PTS 9-7

5. Norway 2-0-0-3 6 PTS 9-26

6. Latvia 1-0-0-4 3 PTS 12-16


Clinched Quarterfinal Spots

Eliminated from Quarterfinal Contention


Relegation Round

After losing 2 games in OT during the Prelim Round, the Americans are looking to use their frustration to recover from the bad 1st Round. So far, they have done that with shutouts wins over Kazakhstan (10-0) and France (4-0) as the Americans pretty much gotten themselves out of the Relegation Trouble. As for the race to avoid relegation.

Kazakhstan is pretty much doomed with a 10-0 loss and a 2-1 loss to Italy. As for the other spot, it comes down to Italy & France as the two 1-1 teams. France has the advantage as they have already played the Americans. Italy plays the USA tomorrow as Italy's hopes come down to goaltender David Bellissimmo as he has kept the Italians in a majority of the games in this tournament, he will have to bring his A game and then some to keep the Americans from running up the score and sending them down to the DIV. 1 Tournament for next year.

Relegation Round Standings as of 5/17

1. USA 2-0-0-0 6 PTS 14-0

2. Italy 1-0-0-1 3 PTS 3-3

3. France 1-0-0-1 3 PTS 2-4

4. Kazakhstan 0-0-0-2 0 PTS 2-11


Kept their spot for the 2011 IHWC Tournament.


Relegation Round Schedule

5/15: USA 10 Kazakhstan 0 (4-0, 5-0, 1-0)

5/15: Italy 1 France 2 (0-1, 0-0, 1-1)

5/16: France 0 USA 4 (0-0, 0-2, 0-2)

5/16: Italy 2 Kazakhstan 1 (0-0, 0-0, 2-1)

5/18: USA VS. Italy

5/18: Kazakhstan VS. France

IIHF U18 Quarterfinals & Relegation Round Up:

It was the Americans controlling the Czechs for the 2nd straight year in the U18 Quarterfinals where the Americans are looking to defend the U18 Gold Medal for the 2nd straight year. It was also deja vu as the Americans were also seeded 2nd in last year's U18 Tournament Playoffs as the Americans will now face Finland in the Semifinals in what should be a great game in a battle of defending champions against a team that's looking to make up for lost time at the Junior Level.

The Other Quarterfinal saw Russia beat Switzerland 4-3, the game was more deceiving as the Russians were up 4-0 until the last 5 minutes when Switzerland finally found their grove, but it was to little to late as the Swiss were unable to pull off their 2nd big win over Russia in the IIHF Tournament Season after the Swiss beat the Russians at the WJC just after New Years.

The Relegation Round got underway as Slovakia helped their chances of survival with a 5-1 win over Belarus who's looking at relegation now after being 0-2 and having a -12 GD after losing to Canada 11-3 in the Group Stage.

Here's a look at the Game Wrap Ups for Today and the schedule for tomorrow's Semifinals and Relegation Matchups.

Wednesday's Schedule

Semifinals

Finland VS. USA

Sweden VS. Russia


Relegation Round

Canada VS. Latvia

From the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: http://www.iihf.com/


Quarterfinal #1: USA 6 Czech Republic 0 (2-0, 3-0, 1-0)

USA VS. Czech Republic Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures/page/0/game/USA%20-%20CZE%20%28QF%29.html

From Minsk, Belarus: USA will skate in its 9th straight Semifinal at the U18 World Championship after dominating the Czech Republic 6-0 in today's Quarterfinal in Minsk.

The U.S. broke the game open late in the 2nd period, taking advantage of Czech Penalty Problems with two power-play goals in a five-minute span to go ahead 4-0. American Austin Czarnik was the biggest nemesis for the Czechs, putting in three goals, including two in the 2nd period surge.

The U.S. was clearly the stronger team, but held only to a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period after putting in a quick pair less then two minutes apart.

The Czechs had the chance to cut the lead in half with many chances of their lone power play of the 2nd period, but the momentum was killed when the tide turned dramatically with a five-on-three for the U.S. The Americans hit a post just as the two-man advantage expired, but made up for it with three seconds left in the five-on-four when Austin Czarnik put the 3-0 tally on an odd angle shot.

After that, the Americans dominated the period as Nick Shore put in another power-play goal, while Czarnik followed up 20 seconds later with the 5-0 marker. The goal was the end of the game for Czech Goalie Libor Kasik, who was replaced by Roman Will. On the other end of the ice Jack Campbell had little excitement facing only 8 shots in the first 40 minutes.

It was more of the same in the 3rd period when Bryan Rust jammed in the 6-0 goal - also on the power play. It was the lone goal of the period as Will managed to keep the Americans in check, but could do little to prevent the eventual loss.

In their eight trips to the Semifinals, the Americans have only gone home empty handed once, in 2003. The defending champions have a six year medal streak. Last year, the Americans also played the Czech Republic in the Quarterfinals against the Czechs and won 6-2, They went on to top Canada, 2-1, in the semifinals and Russia, 5-0, for the gold.

The Czechs will play in their second straight fifth-placed game. They lost the placement game last year, 4-2, against Sweden.


Quarterfinal #2: Russia 4 Switzerland 3 (2-0, 1-0, 1-3)

Russia VS. Switzerland Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures/page/0/game/RUS%20-%20SUI%20%28QF%29.html

In Minsk, Belarus: Russia made it to the Semifinals at this year's U18 World Championship after earning a 4-3 win with five minutes left in regulation when Switzerland had an incredible comeback to pull within one. Ultimately, time ran out, on the Swiss efforts, but it was a positive end for the determined Alp Nation.

The Swiss had an impressive run at the event and put in a gutsy performance today, but couldn't get over the hump against the bigger, stronger, more skilled Russian Team. Swiss Goaltender Lukas Meili was put through the ringer by the Russians but stood his ground, allowing his team to mount an occasional counterattack.

Ultimately, the Swiss had a few minor break downs that cost them dearly. Evgeni Kuznetsov put in the 1-0 shorthanded goal just over five minutes into action with a deke that would make Alexander Ovechkin proud. Maxim Shalunov doubled the lead three minutes later, but the Swiss buckled down after the goal and held the Russians scoreless for more then 20 minutes before surrendering the 3-0 goal. Roman Berdnikov forced the puck in mid-game for the important 3rd goal just as a Russian power-play expired.

Berdnikov put in his 2nd goal of the game for the 4-0 lead, seemingly putting the game out of reach for the Swiss. But a late comeback bid by Switzerland made the last 5 minutes a thriller for the sold out Palace of Sports Crowd. Reto Schmutz and Kaj Leuenberger scored two goals coming 35 seconds apart in the twilight of the game, making it 4-2.

The Russians still sensed they were safe when Gregory Hoffman scored with the extra attacker on the ice to make it a surprising one goal affair. The Swiss pushed until the last second, but couldn't come up with the game-tying goal and are now bound for the 5th place Game against the Czech Republic.

Both of last year's finalist, USA & Russia, are into the next round and on track to make it to the Final again. But before punching their card for the Gold Medal Game, the Russians will have to overcome Sweden in tomorrow's Semifinals, while the Americans will face the Finns.

The Russians have been in the finals the last three years, but the last time they won was 2007.


Relegation Round: Slovakia 5 Belarus 1 (1-0, 2-1, 2-0)

Slovakia VS. Belarus Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels0910/wm18/pictures/page/0/game/SVK%20-%20BLR.html

In Bobruisk, Belarus: After losing its first relegation round game today against Slovakia, 5-1, it would take a miracle for host Belarus to stay up in the U18 World Championship for the 2010-2011 season.

Slovakia, meanwhile, is essentially safe from relegation after today's win as it would take an extraordinary string of events to send the Slovaks into 3rd or 4th place. Slovakia now has 6 points in the Group and Belarus is still looking for its first win at this year's event.

It looked like it would be ugly for Belarus early in the game when Petr Trska scored just 19 seconds after the opening faceoff. But Belarus regrouped after the quick goal and held the Slovaks scoreless through the rest of the period.

Unfortunately for Belarus, it started the 2nd period on its heels again, allowing the 2-0 goal just 40 seconds into action. Belarus again re-grouped, as the teams exchanged goals to close the 2nd period at 3-1. Slovakia's Marek Tvrdon scored twice in the third period to bring the final to 5-1.

Both teams have the day off tomorrow as Canada and Latvia are the only game tomorrow in Bobruisk. If Canada wins that game, then both Belarus and Latvia would both be relegated, while Slovakia and Canada would return to next year's U18 World Championship. Should Latvia win the game, the group remains wide open.