Russia defeats Czech Republic 4-2 (Photo © REUTERS/ Scott Audette)
In the round robin’s last game Team Russia defeated Team Czech Republic 4-2 and got a bye to the quarterfinals as they finished the Group B on the top of the standings with seven points against Czech Republic’s six, Slovakia’s five and Latvia’s zero. Team Russia’s first game of the medal round is scheduled for wednesday.
During the first period of the game the teams are still 0-0. Alexander Ovechkin had a couple of good chances, but Tomas Vokoun saved both attempts. Later on the Russians wasted a powerplay opportunity.
At the fifteenth minute Evgeni Malkin scored the 1-0 goal for Russia tapping in a rebound after a shot from the point by Sergei Gonchar.
At the end of the first period the Czechs tied it up with Tomas Plekanec taking full advantage of a double powerplay.
At the start of the second period Alexander Semin had a great chance during a delayed penalty against the Czechs, but his backhander went wide of the crease despite the open net. In the consequent powerplay Team Russia pressured well the opponents, but without creating havoc.
Five minutes to the second horn Viktor Kozlov broke the tie, scored the 2-1 goal for Russia after a scramble in the high slot.
Later at the end of the second period Sergei Zinoviev suffered from a knee injury after a play on the board caused by Alexander Radulov and had to be helped out of the ice.
Right on the start of the third period team Russia scored the third goal: after a big hit by Ovechkin on Jagr, Alexander Semin run down the left and with a great pass served Malkin right in front of the goalie. One-timer and 3-1.
But the Czech Republic didn’t give up and scored the 3-2 goal with Milan Michalek five minutes to the end of the regulation. The Czechs eventually pulled the goalie, but Pavel Datsyuk scored the emtpy netter with thirteen seconds to go.
“We were hungry for the win after the defeat against Slovakia”, Malkin told Russian TV channel Russia-2 after the game. “All the four lines played very well and I think we got a well deserved win. I like this new line I’m playing in, we are three quick players and we played very well today. We played very actively. Ovechkin played a great game, we really wanted to win. We still make some errors in the defensive zone, we will work on them in the next practices.”
Evgeny Nabokov finished the match with 23 saves.
YES!!!
The best team won.Really looking forward to the next round.Hope Zinoviev didn`t get hurt too bad.
THANK GOD!!! Although 7 points isn’t perfect, at least were not last. It’s going to be so crazy watching the game of Canada USA in Downtown Vancouver! Anyone else going?
I’m saying a 4-3 win for Canada.
BTW @Cosgraves, are you still sad for beting 13+k on Russia? =D
It has been a great game. Our guys found some chemistry, the new lines worked well. The third goal has been awesome.
I told you Malkin and Ovechkin needed to be paired 😛
Still I’d like to ear from Cosgraves 🙂
I’ve got my fingers crossed for Zinoviev….He’s a great player, & Team Russia would miss him if he’s badly injured.
I watched that game expecting the worst… and what i got was an inspired effort from Malkin. He was fantastic. I was still rather unhappy until i saw Ovie absolutely knock Jagr back into retirment. That was a game and maybe olympic result changing hit.. thats how big i thought it was. Ovie and Malkin brough the passion they wanted the puck more than the Czechs.
That was tremendous!!
Also have to say that i liked Datsyuk killing penaties etc a instead of trying to set up ovie. He really is a great defensive forward.
Im still very unhappy with Kovalchuk, he was useless again, No 100 million dollar rejecting man should be a liability on the ice. Also thought Nabbie looked shaky at times so i hope he gets more relaxed.
Also dont forget people i didnt bet 13k i bet 342$ but if Russia wins i get 13,800$ Its the final piece of the bet.
and VM you still stink 🙂
Cosgraves
I bet you thought the same thing about Kovalchuk in 2008, don’t you?
He was useless during the whole 2008 IIHF world championship & scored only 2 goals.
I hope you know what I’m talking about…Ok, I’m a smart guy, I give you a clue: OVERTIME !
That’s sounds good for us, very good 😉
Excellent win in a good game and a powerful hit from Ovechkin on Jagr that changed the momentum! I hope Zinoviev will be back soon, he is an important piece of this team. Kovalchuk is not useless he is getting used to playing with the team and I have confident that he will find his A game soon because he is too talented and too hard working not to.
Pavel, unfortunately Zinoviev will be out for the rest of the season
Read a new interview with Tretiak where he says that Zinoviev’s injury isn’t that serious.
Zinoviev is OK for tomorrow. The russian worked the full workout today.
http://www.russian-hockey.ru
Great news