Men's Olympic Tournament Final Scores, Standings and Ranking

Here's a look at how the teams finished the Men's Olympic Hockey Tournament. This tournament will widely be regarded as one the best Olympic Hockey Tournaments ever as you had just an amazing final between the 2 North American Teams which resulted in the Canadians winning on home soil. For the U.S.A., they beat all expectations to win the Silver Medal for the 2nd time in 8 years (Salt Lake City 2002).

As for the Finns, they finished with the Bronze Medal where they have medaled in their 2nd straight Olympic Tournament. After would could have been a horrible ending with a loss against Slovakia after the crushing against the U.S.A. in the Semifinals, the Finns showed the fight back to win another medal for Finland's most successful group of players ever.

Other teams who didn't do as well but were able to give the tournament a good show. Switzerland showed that 2006 was no fluke as they were able to challenge both the Americans and the Canadians. They beat a tricky Norway team in OT and beat Belarus in a SO.

Slovakia had they best Olympic Showing ever by finishing 4th and were in a great position to win their first ever Olympic Medal before Finland came back to win the Bronze.

Also despite not winning a single game, Norway got better as the Olympic Tournament went on, being able to push Switzerland to OT, and giving both Slovakia and the U.S.A. a pretty good scare.

Even Latvia who despite getting demolished in the Group Stage, they almost brought back memories of 2002 where Belarus upset Sweden. After going down 2-0 going into the 2nd intermission.

Latvia used late 3rd period goals by Martins Cipulis and Mikelis Redlihs scored 4 minutes apart to tie the game at 2-2. But the Czech Power came through as David Krejci scored the game winner to win the game 3-2 and avoid what would have been easily this year's biggest upset.

Perhaps the only major disappointment was Germany where only a 2-0 loss for Sweden was the only major success as keeping a game close. The Germans regressed as the tournament went on with a 5-0 loss against Finland and a 5-3 loss against Belarus in which that could have helped them get at least a more favorable 2nd round matchup.

Then an 8-2 loss for Canada ended a very bad showing internationally as the Germans finished 11th. Following a 15th place showing at last year's IHWC Tournament, This does not bode good news for the Germans as they host the IHWC coming up in May.

Group Stage Scores and Standings

Group A

1. U.S.A. 3-0-0-0 9 PTS 14-5

2. Canada 1-1-0-1 5 PTS 14-7

3. Switzerland 0-1-1-1 3 PTS 8-10

4. Norway 0-0-1-2 1 PTS 5-19


Group A Scores

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

Canada 8 Norway 0 (0-0, 3-0, 5-0)

U.S.A. 6 Norway 1 (2-0, 1-1, 3-0)

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

Norway 4 Switzerland 5 (OT) (1-1, 2-2, 1-1, 0-1)

Canada 3 U.S.A. 5 (1-2, 1-1, 1-2)


Group B

1. Russia 2-0-1-0 7 PTS 13-6

2. Czech Republic 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 10-7

3. Slovakia 1-1-0-1 5 PTS 9-4

4. Latvia 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 4-19


Group B Scores

Russia 8 Latvia 2 (3-0, 1-0, 4-2)

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

Slovakia 2 Russia 1 (SO) (0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-0, 1-0)

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

Latvia 0 Slovakia 6 (0-3, 0-2, 0-1)

Russia 4 Czech Republic 2 (1-1, 1-0, 2-1)


Group C Standings

1. Sweden 3-0-0-0 9 PTS 9-2

2. Finland 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 10-4

3. Belarus 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 8-12

4. Germany 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 3-12


Group C Scores

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

Sweden 2 Germany 0 (0-0, 2-0, 0-0)

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

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

Germany 3 Belarus 5 (1-1, 0-1, 2-3)

Sweden 3 Finland 0 (1-0, 2-0, 0-0)


Knockout Round Games


2nd Round Games

#8 Switzerland 3 #9 Belarus 2 (SO) (1-1, 1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 1-0)

#5 Czech Republic 3 #12 Latvia 2 (OT) (2-0, 0-0, 0-2, 1-0)

#7 Slovakia 4 #10 Norway 3 (3-1, 0-2, 1-0)

#6 Canada 8 #11 Germany 2 (1-0, 3-1, 4-1)


Quarterfinals

#1 U.S.A. 2 #8 Switzerland 0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0)

#4 Finland 2 #5 Czech Republic 0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0)

#3 Russia 3 #6 Canada 7 (1-4, 2-3, 0-0)

#2 Sweden 3 #7 Slovakia 4 (0-0, 2-3, 1-1)


Semifinals

#1 U.S.A. 6 #4 Finland 1 (6-0, 0-0, 0-1)

#6 Canada 3 #7 Slovakia 2 (2-0, 1-0, 0-2)


Bronze Medal Game

#4 Finland 5 #7 Slovakia 3 (1-0, 0-3, 4-0)


Gold Medal Game

#1 U.S.A. 2 #6 Canada 3 (OT) (0-1, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1)



Final Tournament Rankings

Gold: Canada

Silver: U.S.A.

Bronze: Finland

4th: Slovakia

5th: Sweden

6th: Russia

7th: Czech Republic

8th: Switzerland

9th: Belarus

10th: Norway

11th: Germany

12th: Latvia

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.

Canada walks all over Russia 7-3, to play Sweden VS. Slovakia Winner Next

What a dominating performance for the Canadians. After a relativity easy game for the Host Team on Thursday night against Germany. The match a lot of people thought would be for the Gold Medal turned into a rout very quickly as the Canadians got goals from all over the ice from Corey Perry who had 2 goals and an assist, to Shea Weber and Sydney Crosby and everyone in between. For Vancouver Goalie Roberto Luongo, it was a retaliative easy night for him but was stellar when called upon.

Russia was just poor all over the ice, from taking to long to change goalies to not matching the Canadian Energy. This was a night where the Russians were sent home and knew it at different parts of the game.

For the most part, Russian Superstar Forwards Alex Ovechkin, Illy Kovalchuk were just disappointing all night and are going to get a mouthful from the Russian Media at home as the Russians were viewed as Canada's biggest challenger during this tournament. This needs to be a wake up call to Russia that performances like this won't be tolorated like this ever at any tournament, much less the Olympics against their biggest rival.

Canada was the better team all over the ice, no doubt about that and this is a highly energized team that has put the problems against Switzerland and the U.S.A. behind them from the Group Stage. This is a team that will put fear into the winner of Sweden VS. Slovakia which is the final game of the night coming up on Friday night in the Semifinals.

Update to Matches for Semifinals on Friday:

U.S.A. VS. Finland 12:00 PM PST @ Canada Hockey Place

Canada VS. Sweden/Slovakia Winner 6:30 PM PST @ Canada Hockey Place

Canada VS. Russia Game Summary: www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-hockey/schedule-and-results/mens-play-offs-quarterfinals---game-24_ihm400302ow.html

Canada VS. Russia Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/pictures/page/0/game/RUS%20-%20CAN%20%28QF%29.html

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

Canada beat Russia for the first time in an Olympics since 1960 (Last 8 Olympics) in dominating fashion, winning 7-3 in a game that was lighting fast although seldom close.

Corey Perry led the way with 2 goals and an assist. In all, six different players scored for Canada. Only in 1960 when Canada beat the Soviet Union by an 8-5 score in Squaw Valley has the nation allowed more goals. Canada will now play the winner in the semi-finals on Friday at 6:30 PM Local Time against tonight's winner of Sweden VS. Slovakia. For the Russians, the 2010 Olympic Tournament is over.

"It was an electric atmosphere", said goalie Roberto Luongo, who is sure to start in the semi-final game. "It was a really fun to play in. With the lead, it was a bit more comfortable."

Canada's strategy was simple: the game is being played on small ice, so play the small ice game. This meant hitting Alexander Ovechkin every time he was near the puck, hitting anything and everything in sight. By the midway mark of the first period, no Russian player wanted to hang onto the puck for very long.

"It was a very physical game on both sides of the puck," said Mike Richards. "Ovie is used to that in the NHL. He's a marked guy everytime he's on the ice."

The Physical play had the Russians reeling from the opening faceoff, and the double whammy was the top-speed creativity the big-banging Canadians displayed once they had possesion. Tic-Tac-Toe passes were the norm on every shift as Russian Goalie Nabokov was sliding east and west trying to figure out who was shooting and who was passing.

Canada opened the scoring at 2:21 when defensemen Dan Boyle tore down the left wing and backhanded a pass to the slot where Getzlaf one-timed it past goalie Nabokov after defensemen Slava Kozlov failed to check Getzlaf with any purpose. The Canadians kept pressing, moving the puck fluidly out of their own end and maintaining possession in the Russian end to create scoring chances. Nabokov looked nervous, and Canadians played Ovechkin with the same physicality as 2004 when he was in the U20 Gold Medal Game.

Alexei Morozov had a good chance on a one-timer on a Russian power play, but he fanned on the shot. Ilya Kovalchuk let go another one timer that made it through traffic, but Luongo came across to make a nice save as the penalty expired.

The frenetic pace continued. Crosby drove hard down the left side and was hauled down by Anton Volchenkov for a penalty. On the ensuing power play a Boyle point shot was deftly redirected by Patrick Marleau through the pads to make a 2-0 Canada lead.

At 12:55 a fast break gave Canada a 3rd goal, Nash finishing off a beautiful passing play up the ice with Jonathan Towes and Mike Richards. Nash lifted the puck over Nabokov just as the goalie sprawled to try the Johnny Bower pokecheck. The astounding and relentless assault forced Russian coach Slava Bykov to call a timeout to try to settle down the team and quiet the crowd.

Indeed, the crowd grew silent, comfortable with the lead, and that's exactly when the Russians got one back at 14:39. Dmitri Kalinin's wrist shot from the point fooled Roberto Luongo and gave the Russians some life. But Canada didn't surrender. The mostly Canadian crowd started up again, and the players continued to attack. The team got that crucial fourth goal late in the period. Brenden Morrow walked out from behind the goal and tried a backhanded wraparound that rolled up Nabokov's body and behind him into the net for a 4-1 lead at 18:18. Shots favored Canada 21-12 in quite possibly the fastest period of hockey ever played.

Canada made it a 5-1 lead at 3:10 of the 2nd period on a harmless looking play when Getzlaf skated in over the blue line surrounded by four Russians. He took a shot that was blocked, but Corey Perry banged home a loose puck past a surprised Nabokov. And still, Bykov left the goalie in the net.

Less then a minute later, Canada got another goal on a center ice turnouver. Shea Weber finished things off with a bullet drive along the ice, off the far post and in at 4:07 to make it 6-1. This forced Nabokov to the showers in favor of IIya Bryzgalov.

Just 39 seconds later, Iiya Kovalchuk from Maxim Afinogenov flying down the right wing. Afinogenov cut in around defensemen Duncan Keith and beat Luonog to the far side to cut the lead to 2 goals. Just when it seemed the Canadians was sitting back and protecting the lead with half a game to play, they struck again on another gorgeous passing play. This time Getzlaf carried the puck in over the Russian line, slipped a pass ahead of Staal who moved it across ice to Perry. Perry's Quick shot to the open side hit the net for his 2nd of the night.

Luongo was called upon to make his best save when Alexander Radulov was open in the slot. Radulov made a nice deke, but Luongo stuck out his left leg to make a great toe save.

A too-many-men penalty gave Russia a power play, and Sergei Gonchar beat Luongo with a long shot to cut the lead in this high scoring game to 7-3. That's how the period ended to the delight of the crowd. Canada killed off an early penalty in the third period and then lost Staal after he collided hard into the end boards chasing down a long pass. No penalty was called on the play, but on the ensuing rush Gonchar drew a hooking penalty. Iginla hit the post on one sequence, but the score remained the same.

Luongo made his mark on the game by stoning Evgeni Malkin on a breakaway at 15:44, kicking out his right pad and sending the crowd into a frenetic "Looo"!

"I thought our energy and execution right from the drop of the puck was phenomenal." Eric Staal noted. "We came out with a jump. We were slowly boiling, and once the puck dropped to start the game, we were ready and firing. We got that goal to get us started right away, and the atmosphere and passion was unbelievable in here. It was a lot of fun out here."

Said a beleaguered Nabokov: "The first goal came too quick. They scored and just kept coming, We were not able to stop them, the SOG (42-28) tells it all."

Omaha Lancers Futures Camp

Starting tonight through Sunday, the United States Hockey League's Omaha Lancers will be at Polar Ice in Grapevine looking for future players for their team that plays in the best junior league in the United States. They will be looking for players that could have a shot of making the team mostly for 2010-2011 season, they not looking for players for this year because their roster for the 2009-2010 season is almost ready to go for the preseason and regular season that are about a month and a half away. Earlier this week the USHL released it's schedule for the USHL Fall Classic which will be hosted by the Sioux City Musketeers in Sioux City, Iowa coming up from September 24-26 which is the weekend before the start of the regular season which will be coming up on October 1.

Here's the schedule for the 2009 USHL Fall Classic. Their will be 2 arenas that will play host to the 21 games where each team will play 3 games (1 per day) during the event.

Here's the website for the event and schedule: www.ushlfallclassic.com

September 24

Chicago Steel VS. Sioux Falls Stampade 9:30 AM @ IBP

Indiana Ice VS. Lincoln Stars 10:00 AM @ TEC

Green Bay Gamblers VS. Des Moines Buccaneers 1:00 PM @ TEC

Youngstown Phantoms VS. Omaha Lancers 1:30 PM @ IBP

USNTDP VS. Tri-City Storm 4:00 PM @ TEC

Waterloo Blackhawks VS. Fargo Force 5:30 PM @ IBP

Cedar Rapids Roughriders VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:00 PM @ TEC

September 25

Youngstown Phantoms VS. Des Moines Buccaneers 9:30 AM @ IBP

Green Bay Gamblers VS. Lincoln Stars 10:00 AM @ TEC

Waterloo Blackhawks VS. Sioux Falls Stampade 1:00 PM @ TEC

Cedar Rapids Roughriders VS. Tri-City Storm 1:30 PM @ IBP

Indiana Ice VS. Fargo Force 4:00 PM @ TEC

Chicago Steel VS. Omaha Lancers 5:30 PM @ IBP

USNTDP VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:00 PM @ TEC

September 26

Green Bay Gamblers VS. Fargo Force 9:30 AM @ IBP

Youngstown Phantoms VS. Tri-City Storm 10:00 AM @ TEC

Indiana Ice VS. Sioux Falls Stampade 1:00 PM @ TEC

USNTDP VS. Des Moines Buccaneers 1:30 PM @ IBP

Chicago Steel VS. Waterloo Blackhawks 4:00 PM @ TEC

Cedar Rapids Roughriders VS. Lincoln Stars 5:30 PM @ IBP

Omaha Lancers VS. Sioux City Musketeers 7:00 PM @ TEC

Arena Code
TEC= Tyson Events Center
IBP= IBP Ice Arena

Sergei Zubov to play for SKA St. Petersburg

It's been confirmed that Sergei Zubov has left the Dallas Stars and to many hockey fans and especially Dallas Stars fans are sad to lose him, what's even more shocking is that he is about to sign with KHL Powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg. Earlier in the summer, it was reported that he was in contact with as many as 8 different teams in the NHL and because of his injuries, he had a tough time finding a long term contract that he could eventually end his career with. He nor his agent said anything about playing in Europe next year and this has made this so surprising, now because in the KHL you have to sign at the home team arena, it won't be official till sometime next week. What little you saw of him for the Dallas Stars this past season is most likely the last you will ever see from him in the NHL. Good luck to Zubov in Russia and hopes that he can end his career on a high note.

As we go through the year in the KHL Which begins on September 10 with a rematch of last year's championship series between AK Bars Kazan and Lokomotiv Yaroslaval. One of the big things I will be looking this season is when we reach the Olympic Hockey Tournament in February to find out how many KHL players make the Olympic teams and how they will do, especially the Russian national team and to a lesser extent the Belarus team.

Here's the tournament groups for the Vancouver Olympics next year.

Group A

1. Canada
6. U.S.A
7. Switzerland
12. Norway

Group B

2. Russia
5. Czech Republic
8. Slovakia
11. Latvia

Group C

3. Sweden (Defending Champions)
4. Finland
9. Belarus
10. Germany