IIHF World Championship | Day 4 | May 2nd, 2011

Today's games have been played, so time for my end-of-day update.

[Czech Republic-Denmark] 6-0. Well, that was just a beating the Czechs dished out to the Danes. Specifically hectic second period where the Czechs scored four of the goals. And eventhough things might have been a bit different if the Danes had scored early in the second period when they had a two-man advantage, I wonder if that is really true. How do I even come to this assumption? Havlat said it: "Had they scored on the 5-on-3, it would have been a different game." :D

[USA-Norway] 4-2 Norway was still high on beating the Swedes and continued euphorically by scoring two goals in the first period and hanging on to that lead throughout a rather boring second period. Palmieri finally put Team USA on the scoring board. The puck went in via his skate though, so it took a bit of debating by the refs, but ultimately it was deemed a good hockey goal. Phew for the USA. Just before the 15 minute mark the Americans scored again. Jack Skille got this one and this is where the Americans started to believe in it too, while the Norwegians hardly even got anywhere near Al Montoya. A third goal followed 6.5 minutes before end of play, Palmieri again. And Smith closed up with a goal in final two minutes. {edit: had Stepan for the goal, but he ended up with the assist I just noticed and also I had to ammend the first sentence, they were of course high on beating Sweden, thanks for that one Mike, phew}

[Latvia-Finland] 2-3. I watched the other evening-game, but I caught the shoot out. The Finns nailed that one. I was score-watching throughout though and at some point I thought the Finns would lose this one. Lets just say they managed to win it, but it definitely was not pretty.

[Sweden-Austria] 3-0. Missed the first period as I was cleaning my place lol, but was ready for the rest of the game. Picked this one over the Latvia-game because I thought it would be more interesting. But frankly, it felt like watching a morning skate, but without the fun. It was not exciting at all. Sorry Sweden or Austria fans, but even the goals did not excite me. I wish I could write more or find something great to focus on, but no. Just a snoozefest.

Ha, that is it for today. Looking forward to Canada-Switzerland. I think the Swiss might be my European favourites and I wonder how they will play against Canada. Wonder if the German will continue their winning streak and oh, Russia playing too. Interesting hockey day!