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.

IHWC Group F: Sweden shutouts Switzerland while the Czechs surprise Canada

It was a bit of a minor surprise, the Czechs were looking to get their offense going on what has been a luck luster tournament scoring wise. But 2 goals in the 2nd period allowed the Czechs to hold on and overtake Canada for 3rd and giving Canada a tough road to the IHWC Gold Medal by finishing 4th in the Qualifying Round and having to face Sweden who looked very strong against Switzerland.



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





Canada 2 Czech Republic 3 (1-1, 0-2, 1-0)



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



By Andrew Podnieks



From Mannheim, Germany: The Czech Republic got two goals in the 2nd period to break a 1-1 tie and skated to a 3-2 win over Canada. As a result, they finish at least in 3rd place in Group F and advance, with Canada, to the Quarterfinals. It was a bitter and tense battle that showed signs of being one more punch or check away from getting out of hand.



Canada finishes fourth and will play the winner of the Russia-Finland Game tonight as the Czechs will play the loser of that game. All the Quarterfinals will be played on Thursday.



"We're going to have to go through the tough teams eventually," said Canadian forward John Tavares. "In whatever order it is, it doesn't matter. It's a new slate for everybody, and it's do or die now."



Today's loss was a historic one in the worst way for Canada. It marked the first time since the playoff system was adopted in 1992 that the motherland of the game has lost three games prior to the Quarterfinals.



It made for a strange afternoon as these teams met for an important game - and it was only the Qualifying Round. A loss by the Czechs meant a trip back to Prague, and a loss by Canada meant a likely quarterfinal date with Russia, the heavy favorites this year. The result was a very orney Czech Team that took two boarding penalties and started a fight. (That went into the books as a double minor for Tomas Rolinek and Steve Ott) in the first period alone.



As well, the Czechs came out flying, the more desperate team playing more aggressively. They had a couple of good chances early, but goalie Chris Mason, playing his best game of the tournament, stood his ground and made a couple of important saves.



However, it was Ray Whitney who drew first blood, for Canada, on a great play. He took a pass from Marc Giordano while coming down the right wing on a power play and cut in on goal as players from both teams converged on goalie Tomas Vokoun. With so many options, it seemed certain that Ray Whitney would pass, but the right-hand shot cut in on goal and slipped a backhand between the goalie's pads. Goalie Mason drew the 2nd assist on the play.



Canada was in control for most of the first period and was certainly the more disciplined team. The Czechs took three straight penalties, but Canada could not extend the lead. With less then two minutes to play, however, the inexperience of the 19 year old Jordan Eberle cost the team a goal.



He was too casual taking a pass in center during a power play and was checked off the puck by Jiri Novotny who fed Lukas Kaspar on the fly. Kaspar skated alone and deked Mason, sliding the puck between the goalie's pads at 18:20 to tie the game, 1-1. Eberle, meanwhile, sat on the bench for most of the rest of the game.



"I was a bit nervous when I was going in there," Kaspar said. "Because i'd missed an open net a couple of minutes before. I got the puck from Jiri and I was going in on the goalie. At first I thought shot, but it instead I deked him a little bit and put it through the legs."



Both teams continued to play on the edge in the 2nd period, with plenty of pushing and shoving and face-washes after the whistle, and both sides had some fine scoring chances. Mason and Vokoun were rock solid when tested, and an open period soon became more defensive, the next goal becoming more and more important.



Much of the 2nd half of the period was played between the blue-lines, but the Czechs got the go-ahead goal at 12:19 off a faceoff circle in the Canadian end. Jakub Klepis won the faceoff back to Ondrej Nemec sensational, one handed deflection of the puck while being checked, and the puck bounced past a helpless Mason (although it looked like Petr Vampola was the player who deflected the puck.)



They made it 3-1 near the end of the period on the power play when Michal Rozsival hit Kelpis with a pass between the defensemen, and Kelpis beat Mason with a stick-side deke to make it a 3-1 lead. This time, Vokoun had the assist.



Canada came within one on a wild play. Vokoun played the puck behind his own goal but was checked hard by Corey Perry, who knocked him hard into the ice. As Kelpis came into punch Perry in retaliation, the puck came out in front and Matt Duchene put it into the open net with 1:11 left in the 3rd period.



Canada couldn't tie the game with Mason on the bench in the final minute, but a wild melee broke out at the final horn and threatened to turn into a bench clearing brawl. Players from both benches remained disciplined they watch the players all over the ice pair off.



"There were scrums everywhere at the end and guys falling all over the place," said captain Whitney. "Unfortunately for Canada, there is no fighting, because were pretty decent at that."



And so, it's on to the Quarterfinals for both teams on Thursday, and then the real fun begins. Win 0r go home. The question for Canada is simple: where is the team speed and scoring? For the Czechs, it's about momentum. Can they build on their last two wins in a do-or-die game on Thursday?

Switzerland 0 Sweden 5 (0-1, 0-2, 0-2)

Switzerland VS. Sweden Game Photos: www.iihf.com/en/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/SUI%20-%20SWE.html

From Lukas Aykroyd

From Mannheim, Germany: Forget about neutrality. Sweden convincingly beat Switzerland 5-0 in their final Qualification Round game to clinch the top spot in Group F. The Swedes will take on Denmark in Thursday's Quarterfinals, while the Swiss will play the host Germans.

This anticipated showdown simply turned into an exhibition of Swedish Puck Control, discipline and patience. The tone was the polar opposite of the chippy victory over Canada earlier. Apart from the maintaining of good civil order (Both teams took two minor penalties apiece.) There was also little to cheer about for Swiss fans among the 5757 on hand at the SAP Arena.

"The score might have looked easy, but it was a tough game for us," said Sweden's Victor Hedman. "We played well, and knew we had to come out strong. The Swiss have had a good tournament, but Markstrom was unbelievable game in net, too. We scored on our chances, and that was the difference."

Sweden Tony Martensson set the tone with a goal and two assists, while team scoring leader Magnus-Paajarvi Svensson added a goal and an assist.

The Swedes are fixtures in the final 8, never having missed out on the IIHF instituted the playoff system in 1992. In fact, Sweden had never finished lower then seventh (2000) in its modern history. Switzerland gradually emerging as a hockey power, will make its sixth straight appearance in the Quarterfinals.

Both teams dressed their backup goalies, and Swedes Jacob Markstrom recorded his first ever World Championships shutout over Switzerland's Tobais Stephen. Switzerland out-shot Sweden 28-25.

"We had the chance to finish first for the first time in our history, but the Swedes came out really hard and pressured us." said Swiss Defensemen Goran Bezina. "And it seemed like after that, we didn't have the juice to battle in the corners."

Sweden has historically dominated Switzerland. The Swedes earned the playoff wins over Switzerland en route to World Championships gold in 1992 and 1998, and beat them in the Quarterfinals prior to claiming the 2006 Olympic Title.

The Swiss who posted surprising wins over the Czechs and Canada, need to rediscover their game quickly after dropping two straight, including a 3-2 loss to underdog Norway.

At 3:02, the Swedes drew first blood as Paajarvi-Svensson finished off a sweet give-and-go play with Martensson, taping the puck into a wide-open net. It was the highlight of a conservatively played first period, in which Sweden out-shot Switzerland 8-4.

Just 48 seconds into the middle frame, Tre Kronor went up 2-0 when Johan Harju blasted a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle over Stephan's glove.

"The first period was 1-0, and we felt like we had a chance, but after the 2nd goal they played really solid defense and it was very tough to come back," said Bezina. "We didn't have the energy to attack the net, and they got all the bounces."

The confident Swedes started to relax at this point. Controlling the puck, Linus Omark twice gestured with his stick behind the Swiss net as if he was about to attempt the "lacrosse goal" pioneered by University of Michigan forward Mike Legg. However he simply elected to make a centering pass.

At 3:40 of the 2nd, Victor Hedman made it 3-0, deftly converting a cross-ice pass from Martensson over Stephan's glove. It was the 19 Year Old Tampa Bay blue-liner's first career World Championship Goal.

The Swiss called a timeout to regroup, but the game had already slipped away from them. Seconds later, Sweden's Niklas Persson got a breakaway and backhanded the puck high off the post.

In the third period, the Swedes continued their dominance. Jonathan Eriksson hammered a shot off the end boards and Fredrick Petterson smartly snared the rebound, tucking it home for a 4-0 lead. Less then a minute later, Martensson's centering pass deflected in off Swiss defenders for the fifth Swedish goal.

With under 10 minutes left to play, Markstrom made some of his best saves of the game during a Swiss power play with Mikael Backlund off for slashing.

"We knew they would never give up, even when it was 3-0, so we had to keep the forecheck high and make simple plays all the time," observed Hedman. "And now, we look forward to the Danish Game."

Sweden is hoping to win this tournament for the first time since 2006, while Switzerland is gunning for its first world Championship Medal since 1953 when they won Bronze.

Final Group F Standings

1. Sweden 4-0-0-1 12 PTS 18-7

2. Switzerland 3-0-0-2 9 PTS 12-11

3. Czech Rep. 3-0-0-2 9 PTS 10-11

4. Canada 2-0-0-3 6 PTS 22-12

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

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

Advanced to the Quarterfinals

Eliminated from the IHWC

Final Rankings for teams ranked 9-16. Plus the 2 Teams that have won Promotion from Division 1.

9. Norway

10. Slovakia

11. Belarus

12. Latvia

13. U.S.A.

14. France

15. Italy

16. Kazakhstan

Austria and Slovenia won promotion from the IHWC Division 1 Tournaments and will compete in the 2011 IHWC in Slovakia.

IHWC Qualfiying Round:Switzerland atop Group F, while Russia grounds Germany

The 2 Qualifying Round Games from Saturday provided for some interesting action as Switzerland is looking like the biggest threat team to finally break through and win and international medal after taking down the Czechs 3-2 where a 2-0 1st period was able to stand despite a strong showing from Jamior Jagr. Goals by Andreas Ambuhl scored twice while goalie Martin Gerber made 30 of 32 shots stopping a very strong Czech Side from attempting a comeback late in the game.

Group E saw the Russians edge Germany in a back-and-fourth game before emerging with a 3-2 and overtaking Finland and Denmark for the Top spot in Group E with 2 games left in the 2nd Round. Germany is starting to slide a bit as the Germans are still in fourth with being ahead of both Slovakia and Belarus on Goal Differential right now and still have hope of making the Quarterfinals.

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

Russia 3 Germany 2 (1-0, 1-1, 1-1)

From Risto Pakarinen

From Colonge, Germany: Germany rocked Russia like a hurricane, making the red machine work for the full 60 minutes, but in the end, it was Russia had something that the Germans didn't: Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin.

Kovalchuk got the first, and Ovechkin the last goal. Semyon Varlamov made 32 saves for Russia. Germany's Christan Ehroff scored in his first game of the tournament and goaltender Dimitri Kotschnew turned away 33 Russian shots.

"It was a tight game, and we expected that kind of game. Germany played good hockey," Viktor Kozlov said.

Russia had a powerful offense as Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Fedorov, Alexander Semin, Maxim Afinogenov. Germany doesn't have them, but they do have the backing of the home crowd. Except in that game against Russia, the guests were almost as loud.

The Deutschland cheers got drowned out under Shaibu every once in a while, until they picked up steam, and, in turn, got the upper hand for a second. The black, red, and Gold of Germany mixed with the red, white and blue of Russia to create a living mosaic in the stands.

"The atmosphere was great. There were a lot of Russian fans, too." said German Captain Marcel Goc.

On the ice, the Germans put up a valiant fight, out-shooting Russia, 13-12 in the first period. Semyon Varlamov didn't have too much trouble turning away all 13 shots, though.

"We knew that they would have the puck more then we, and that's how it went. We played a defensivley game, made some good plays, and got the puck to the net as much as possible," Goc said.

With six minutes remaining in the first period, Alexander Frolov took a slap-shot from the blue-line. Alexander Ovechkin tried to deflect the puck in, but missed. However, the puck hit the boards behind the net and bounced back in the front of the net on the other side of the net. Ilya Kovalchuk stepped up and fired a wrist shot to the far post, beating Germany's goaltender Dimitri Kotschnew for the first time in the game, at 14:20.

Germany created more chances in the 2nd period, but again, Russia scored first when Viktor Kozlov got the puck to Maxim Afinogenov off a faceoff in the German Zone. Afinogenov, his back to the sideboards, sent the puck through to the front of the net, and Nikolai Kulemin deflected it in, through Kotschnew's five hole for a 2-0 lead at 6:10 into the 2nd period.

Down, but not out. Cheered by the home crowd, Germany got itself back into the game just as the buzzer signaled the end of the period. Michael Wolf checked in a Russian defensemen behind the net, snatched the puck, and sent it to the front of the net. The Vancouver Canucks defensemen Christian Ehroff, playing in his first game of the tournament, rushed to the net and one timed a wrist-shot top shelf at 19:59.

"They played us tight and they took a lot of emotion from the crowd. They have great fans and fed off that," said Pavel Datsyuk who joined the team yesterday.

With 10:14 remaining in the game, Ovechkin got the chance he'd been waiting for. Kovalchuk fed him the puck to the slot, and Ovechkin ripped a wrist shot that beat Kotschnew on the stick side, giving the Russians a two goal lead.

Four minutes later, it was a one goal game again as Alexander Barta grabbed a rebound, and beat Varlamov from the doorstep, at 13:19. Germany pressed hard with six skaters for the last 45 seconds, but Varlamov stood tall.

"We had our chances. We just need to be a little cooler when she got a chance, but I think we can be staisfied with our performance," said Goc.

Russia is still undefeated in the tournament. The team's next game is tomorrow against Denmark.

"They're a good team, they've proved in this tournament. They will make it tough for us," Kozolv said.

Germany plays Belarus, tomorrow as well.


Group E Standings as of 5/15

1. Russia 3-0-0-0 9 PTS 9-5

2. Denmark 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 11-4

3. Finland 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 6-4

4. Germany 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 5-5

5. Slovakia 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 5-11

6. Belarus 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 3-9



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 VS. Russia

5/16: Germany VS. Belarus

5/17: Finland VS. Slovakia

5/17: Belarus VS. Denmark

5/18: Slovakia VS. Germany

5/18: Russia VS. Finland



Switzerland 3 Czech Republic 2 (2-0, 1-2, 0-0)

By Andrew Podnieks

From Mannheim, Germany: Andreas Ambuhl scored two goals and Martin Pluss added another to lead Switzerland to an impressive 3-2 win against the Czech Republic at the SAP Arena Tonight. Winning goalie Martin Gerber also stopped 30 of 32 shots in the win.

"We were very excited, very ready for this match," said Swiss defensemen Felicien Du Bois.

The win gives Switzerland first place in Group F with a perfect record of 3-0-0-0 for nine points, three clear of Sweden and Canada. It also disproved any suggestion that the team's last game, a 4-1 win over Canada was a mere fluke.

"We had a bad start to the game," said Czech Head Coach Vladimir Ruzicka admitted. "The Swiss were faster, and we made a lot of mistakes."

The incredible play of the Swiss continued right from the opening faceoff as they clearly held the edge in play. They were rewarded at 4:13 when a Goran Bezina shot could not be controlled by Czech goalie Tomas Vokoun. Pluss was right their to snap the puck loose into the open net to give Switzerland the early lead.

The defining moment of the night came with just under six minutes left in the opening period. Jiri Novotny controlled the puck inside his own blue line but was knocked to the ice by Ambuhl, who immediately passed passed to Thibault Monnet. Monnet passed to Damien Bruner, who was streaking hard to the net, but as soon as he got the puck he passed across the grain to Ambuhl, who moved to the net after hammering Novotny. He took the pass from Bruner and roofed it over his head a sprawled Vokoun who cleary thought that Brunner would shoot.

It was kind of a tic-tac-toe play only a team playing with the greatest of confidence can make, and it proved once and for all in this tournament that the Swiss are a genuine playoff team with a chance for a medal. Their last world Championship medal was a Bronze in 1953 with only three teams particpated.

The Czechs came out a lot more determined to start the second and were rewarded with a goal to get them back in the game. Jakub Voracek made a nice pass from behind the goal to Jan Marek at the top of the blue line, and Marek made no mistake with his quick release between Martin's Gerber pads to make it 2-1 game at 4:07.

Ambuhl got his second of the night at 11:47 on another play. He came down the right wing on a 2-on-1 with Monnet, stick handling as if he clearly wanted to pass the puck. But instead he fired a low shot between Vokoun's pads as the goalie was readying to play the pass. It was a smart goal, a goalscorer's goal, and it put the Swiss back in control of the game.

Three minutes later, though, the Czechs got a lucky one. Roman Cervenka won a faceoff in the Czech end and Miroslav Blatak snapped a quick shot from the point. It wasn't moving fast, but it was redirected off the stick of Pluss and into the top of the corner past a helpless Gerber.

The Swiss dodged a bullet late in the period when they ran into penalty trouble. But even though the Czechs had a 5-on-3 for 1:17, they couldn't tie the score and period ended 3-2 for the Swiss.

"We got back into the game in the 2nd period, but we didn't score on our 5-on-3," Ruzicka noted with a disappointment."

If the Swiss were more enthusiastic and creative in the first period, they were more determined and presistent by the third. They got back to the puck first and hemmed the Czechs in their own end for long periods, fustrating their opponents to no end and preventing any razzle-dazzle play by their opponents off the rush.

Both teams are back in action on May 17 when Switzerland faces Norway in the afternoon and the Czechs play Latvia at night.

Said Julien Vauclair about facing the under-manned Norwegians: "I think we have to step up to the point we've been very well prepared by our coaching staff. We've got to keep our feet on the ground. The most important thing for us now is to recuperate and get ready for this match."


Group F Standings as of 5/15

1. Switzerland 3-0-0-0 9 PTS 10-4

2. Canada 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 19-3

3. Sweden 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 10-5

4. Czech Rep. 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 6-7

5. Norway 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 6-19

6. Latvia 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 4-13



Group F Schedule

5/14: Canada 12 Norway 1 (1-1, 7-0, 4-0)

5/14: Sweden 4 Latvia 2 (3-1, 0-0, 1-1)

5/15: Switzerland 3 Czech Republic 2 (1-0, 1-1, 1-1)

5/16: Latvia VS. Norway

5/16: Sweden VS. Canada

5/17: Norway VS. Switzerland

5/17: Czech Republic VS. Latvia

5/18: Canada VS. Czech Republic

5/18: Switzerland VS. Sweden

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.

Czech Republic Roster

Looking for the magic that helped the Czechs win gold in 1998. The Czechs are looking for perhaps one last big shot with a veteran and experienced group that has the experience of players like Martin Havlat, Jaromir Jagr who now plays in Russia with Avangard Omsk and Tomas Kaberle.

However experience comes age and with some of these players past their prime, will the age of the Czechs help them in their quest to bring Olympic Gold back to the Czech Republic, or will the age cost them as they will have to face younger and faster roster teams like Canada, the USA and Sweden later in the tournament.

One of the major problems that Czech Hockey has going into the future is the lack of strong youngsters that have been coming up recently. With results like a 7th place finish at the recent World Junior's, will the next generation of Czech Players be able to contuine their golden generation success in the NHL and in international tournaments or will they begin a long downhill slide with the lack of success and getting players to the NHL.

That's a question for another day, but for now, the Czechs are looking to at least match what they did in Italy in 2006, or possibly get back to the Gold Medal Game to possibly face somebody like Canada, Russia or the defending Gold Medalist Sweden this year.

In goal, it's expect it to be Florida Panthers starter Tomas Vokoun is expected to be the starter and did well when Dominik Hasek announced his international retirement prior to the 2006 Olympics in Italy. Vokoun went 3-4 with a solid 2.46 GAA in the 7 games to help the Czechs reach the Bronze Medal Game before beating Russia.

His Backups should be Ondrej Pavelec who the last 2 seasons has split his time between the AHL's Chicago Wolves and the Atlanta Thrashers who's looking to become a solid NHL Backup at just age 23, but still has a 3.45 GAA in 34 games played this season, then the 3rd goalie could be used sparely is Jakub Stepanek of the HV Vitkovice of the Czech Extraliga.

If the Czechs are going to go far, a solid d core with the likes of Pavel Kubina who at 6'4" 250, will be one of the biggest players at this event and will be a hitting force. As for players that can put it from the point, look for Tomas Kaberle and Roman Polak are looking to be the top D man unit to make their mark. Finally to make.

The player that may be the most untested and will need to get up to speed pretty fast is Michalek who has experience in both the WJC and the IHWC, but this is his first experience at the Olympics and that may reek havoic for him and the team if he can't get the hang of the defesne quickly enough.

Forwards like Martin Havlat who plays for the Minnesota Wild who's been a bit of journeyman in recent years which have include stops with teams Dynamo Moscow (KHL) and Sparta Prague (Czech Extraliga) is back in the NHL where he had 29 goals last year will be looked upon to to score huge goals for the Czech Side.

Also perhaps the best player ever to come out of the Czech Republic Jaromir Jagr has made it known that he will be making his final international tournament apperance of his career is with Avangard Omsk in the KHL will want to end his international career with a bang by winning a 2nd Olympic Gold Medal of his career.

In all the Czechs will have 16 NHLers to play in the Olympics as well as 5 from the KHL in Russia. Finally 2 from the Czech Extraliga which is the top Czech Professional league.

As for their group, they have been placed in what a lot of people are saying is going to be the most competitive and exiciting group of the 1st round with matchups against Slovakia, Russia and Latvia. With basically every team being a major rival here, they will be no easy games and the one that could turn the tide for the Czechs is Russia where that could be for a 2nd round bye.


Czech Republic Group Stage Schedule

2/17: VS. Slovakia 10:55 PM

2/19: VS. Latvia 6:30 PM

2/21: VS. Russia 2:00 PM


Czech Republic Olympic Roster


Goalies

Ondrej Pavelec, 6'2" 200, Klando Cze, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)

Jakub Stepanek, 6'1" 156, Vsetin Cze, Vitkovice Ostrava (Extraliga, CZE)

Tomas Vokoun, 6'0" 194, Karlovy Vary Cze, Florida Panthers (NHL)



Defensemen

Miroslav Blatak, 6'0" 174, Zlin Cze, Salavat Yulayev Ufa (KHL, RUS)

Jan Hejda, 6'3" 209, Prague CZE, Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)

Tomas Kaberle, 6'0" 198, Rakovnik CZE, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

Filip Kubla, 6'5" 227, Ostrava CZE, Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Pavel Kubina, 6'3" 244, Celadna CZE, Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)

Zbynek Michalek, 6'0" 200, Jindrichuv Hradec CZE, Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)

Roman Polak, 6'0" 227, Ostrava CZE, St. Louis Blues (NHL)

Marek Zidlicky, 5'10" 189, Most CZE, Minnesota Wild (NHL)


Forwards

Petr Cajanek, 5'10" 176, Zlin CZE, SKA St. Petersburgh (KHL, RUS)

Roman Cervenka, 5'11" 187, Prague CZE, Slavia Prague (Extraliga, CZE)

Patrik Elias, 5'11" 194, Trebic CZE, New Jersey Devils (NHL)

Martin Erat, 6'0" 200, Trebic CZE, Nashville Predators (NHL)

Tomas Fleischmann, 6'0" 191, Koprivnice CZE, Washington Capitals (NHL)

Martin Havlat, 6'2" 216, Mlada Boleslav CZE, Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Jaromir Jagr, 6'3" 242, Kladno CZE, Avangard Omsk (KHL, RUS)

David Krejci, 6'0" 176, Sternberk CZE, Boston Bruins (NHL)

Milan Michalek, 6'2" 224, Jindrichuv Hradec CZE, Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Tomas Plekanec, 5'10" 198, Klando CZE, Montreal Canadians (NHL)

Tomas Rolinek, 5'8" 171, Zdar Nad Sazavou CZE, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (RUS, KHL)

Josef Vasicek, 6'3" 229, Havlicku Brod CZE, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (RUS, KHL)

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)