Whatever I thought about the final day of the World Championship, I could not have foreseen what actually transpired. Not sure if I should call it a historic day, but I think I will. What a rush!
[Bronze Medal Game]
Czech Republic versus Russia. I had expected to see these guys in the Gold Medal Game so was I disappointed? Yes. But I collected myself and decided that a Bronze would be great for the Russians too. Not that I dislike the Czechs or anthing. I like them. But I have a soft spot for Russia in my hockey heart that goes back to the days of the USSR. I could not tune in for the first two periods though and what a pitty that was! I certainly missed much of a very entertaining game, because as I joined the game in the third period my yaw hit the floor. It was 5-4 for the Czechs! First off all I would have rather seen it the other way around. Second of all, what was up? Were they playing some sort of fun exhibition game where they just let eachother score a few for fun's sake?! While I read up on the state of affairs of the first second periods, the Czechs scored again making it 6-4. They finished the game with an empty net goal and we ended up with the highest number of goals scored in a Bronze Medal game in, well, forever. In short:
♦ 7-4. That is a lot of goals ;)
♦ The Russians twice gave up a lead
♦ Both goalies were left hung out to dry
♦ Russians feel they made too many mistakes, but with a score like this, mistakes must have been rife on both sides
♦ Notable Czech player: Cervenka with a hatt trick
♦ Notable Russian player: Kovalchuck (nice one Kovi, who surpassed Ovi in scoring prowess for the Russians)
[Gold Medal Game]
Sweden versus Finland. A nice Nordic game. I was indifferent to the outcome of this game, although I must admit I had a slight preference for Sweden. I skipped the first two periods and by the time I joined the game it was second intermission and the score was an even 1-1. So I prepared myself for a dull third period. I could not have been more wrong. Just a few minutes into the third period the Finns scored and shortly after they scored again, making it 3-1. The Swedish coach called a time-out and I thought the Swedes would do one of their famous comebacks again, but instead the Finns were hungry for more goals and kept up the pressure. And I do not know why the Swedes collapsed like they did, but in the final 3.5 minutes of the game the Finns netted 3 more goals and quite frankly made the Swedish D look like a bunch of schoolgirls. There is something magical about a team that abandons all fears and just plays like there is no tomorrow and yes, the Finns made it look so easy. 6-1. That is some schooling. Well done Finns! Your energy and exuberance made me smile a big smile!
Well, that concludes a wonderful two weeks of international hockey. None of my favourites took home a medal, but that does not matter. Much! I saw many great games and what can I say, hockey is the best sport in the world. Can hardly wait for next year!
Showing posts with label finland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finland. Show all posts
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Friday, 13 May 2011
IIHF World Championship | Day 14 & Day 15 | May 13th, 2011
Guys, the Blogger user interface was down for two days, keeping me from posting! *shakes an angry fist at Blogger*. I have had a lot of catching up to do. Will keep the IIHF WC overview short and sweet. Or maybe just short if it turns out to be a boring read lol
Day 14
[Finland-Norway] 4-1. Sad for my buddy Ferdinand, he is Norwegian and quite possibly the biggest Polar Bears fan in the world. I was at work, so I kept an eye on the score on the IIHF site. And when I saw that Norway had the first goal I was pleasantly surprised, but then Finland upped the ante and scored four goals, all in the second period. Norway had no response so they failed to beat the Finns for the 17th or so time.
[Canada-Russia] 1-2. This was a tough game for me. Historically speaking I will root for Canada over the USA, but I will root for Russia over Canada. This year so many of my Leafies were playing for Canada that I had a slight preference for Canada. I have not seen the game, but all reports are saying this was an awesome game. And a Twitter buddy of mine who was actually at the game sent several updates and was especially positive about the atmosphere in the arena and the great hockey played by these great hockey nations. So the Canada loss was harsh, but at the same times seeing Russia move on was splendid in its own right.
Day 15
[Czech Republic-Sweden] 2-5. After that awesome win over the USA, you would think the Czechs would bring that momentum to their next game. Instead they allowed the Swedes to dominate them. First period was a snoozefest but then the Swedes turned up the pressure and although the Czechs managed to score first, the Swedes simply outshot them leading to a lead at the end of the second period. And they kept it up in the final period, making it a rather huge 5-2 win.
[Finland-Russia] 3-0. Yes I know the Finns are a great team. But I really needed a bit of hockey happiness after a rough time as a fan. Flyers swept by the Bruins. The Red Wings nearly fought back to a series win after a 3-0 game deficit, but then lost Game 7. The Canadians got sent home by the Russians. Does a girl not deserve some hockey happiness? Probably not, because Russia got ousted. I watched the second period and a bit of the third. But after the 2-0 I gave up. I will normally watch any game, suffer the worst of losses, but today I just could not keep it up.
I hope that the Swedes clinch the gold on Sunday and if luck will have it I hope for a bronze medal for the Russians. Right now I need an Advil ;)
Day 14
[Finland-Norway] 4-1. Sad for my buddy Ferdinand, he is Norwegian and quite possibly the biggest Polar Bears fan in the world. I was at work, so I kept an eye on the score on the IIHF site. And when I saw that Norway had the first goal I was pleasantly surprised, but then Finland upped the ante and scored four goals, all in the second period. Norway had no response so they failed to beat the Finns for the 17th or so time.
[Canada-Russia] 1-2. This was a tough game for me. Historically speaking I will root for Canada over the USA, but I will root for Russia over Canada. This year so many of my Leafies were playing for Canada that I had a slight preference for Canada. I have not seen the game, but all reports are saying this was an awesome game. And a Twitter buddy of mine who was actually at the game sent several updates and was especially positive about the atmosphere in the arena and the great hockey played by these great hockey nations. So the Canada loss was harsh, but at the same times seeing Russia move on was splendid in its own right.
Day 15
[Czech Republic-Sweden] 2-5. After that awesome win over the USA, you would think the Czechs would bring that momentum to their next game. Instead they allowed the Swedes to dominate them. First period was a snoozefest but then the Swedes turned up the pressure and although the Czechs managed to score first, the Swedes simply outshot them leading to a lead at the end of the second period. And they kept it up in the final period, making it a rather huge 5-2 win.
[Finland-Russia] 3-0. Yes I know the Finns are a great team. But I really needed a bit of hockey happiness after a rough time as a fan. Flyers swept by the Bruins. The Red Wings nearly fought back to a series win after a 3-0 game deficit, but then lost Game 7. The Canadians got sent home by the Russians. Does a girl not deserve some hockey happiness? Probably not, because Russia got ousted. I watched the second period and a bit of the third. But after the 2-0 I gave up. I will normally watch any game, suffer the worst of losses, but today I just could not keep it up.
I hope that the Swedes clinch the gold on Sunday and if luck will have it I hope for a bronze medal for the Russians. Right now I need an Advil ;)
Saturday, 7 May 2011
IIHF World Championship | Day 9 | May 7th, 2011
Still reeling from last night's Playoffs shenanigans, but was ready for some World Championship action and I just finished watching Norway-Canada. It was like a little band-aid for the hurt hockey soul ;) *exit dramatics*
Anyways, here today's round-up!
[Austria-Slovenia] 3-2. Austria manages to win one and makes the last game of the Relegation Round exciting. The two teams that win their next game will earn their stay in the top division. Fun when teams fight like that.
[Belarus-Latvia] 3-6. A haphazzard World Championship for both countries. Win a few lose a few, no real consistency in sight. But hey, a game with this many goals is always fun. And the upside is that because Austria won as well, tomorrow's final games of the Relegation Round will be truly exciting as each team can either win a stay in next year's World Cup or be relegated to the First Division.
[Denmark-Germany] 4-3. Germany already qualified for the next round, so this outcome is acceptable for them. And although the Danes managed to win this one, their World Cup is over as they needed a regulation win to stay in the running. Instead this game went all the way to SO and we have seen the last couple of games that the Danes keep their cool in this situation and can turn it to their advantage.
[Norway-Canada] 2-3. I watched this one and I must admit that it was a nice soothing game. Canada was playing a calm and collected game and halfway through the third period the score was 3-0. Then the Norwegians woke up and increased pressure and suddenly this turned into a game again! At 51:36 the score was 3-1. At 52:49 it was 3-2 and I must admit that I sat up a bit straighter and got just a tad anxious. But the Canadians hung in there and have secured their spot in the Quarter Finals! Yay!
[Finland-Slovakia] 2-1. Chose to watch this one over USA-France, thinking it would be the more exciting of the two. Well, two periods into the game, a 1-0 lead for the Slovaks and I was bored so much I continued writing this article rather than concentrating on the game. At some point in the third period the players started to skate a bit faster, there was more puck movement and what do you know? The Finns scored, twice in succesion, to clinch the win and their place in the Quarter Finals. Oh, both goals were scored by Ruutu. And the Slovaks had dreams of medals and what not but it was not meant to be. The sad faces of the Slovak fans were making me go 'Awwwwww' :(
[USA-France] 3-2. Hmm, not much to report here. Some crazy reporting going on and I cannot make much sense of it. A 3-2 win over France does not sound very commanding to me, but the IIFH site suggests that the French were outclassed by far. I feel like shrugging a bit. And as I type this the Flyers tweet that JVR will be joining Team USA. Sounds like an excellent idea, they can use some offensive power! But OK, the French have no chance at moving on to the Quarter Finals and can start packing. Team USA has plenty of opportunity and I hope they take it.
Tomorrow my faves are playing - Russia and Switzerland - I hope they will win their respective games :) ... and I hope to see Ovi in good spirits!
Anyways, here today's round-up!
[Austria-Slovenia] 3-2. Austria manages to win one and makes the last game of the Relegation Round exciting. The two teams that win their next game will earn their stay in the top division. Fun when teams fight like that.
[Belarus-Latvia] 3-6. A haphazzard World Championship for both countries. Win a few lose a few, no real consistency in sight. But hey, a game with this many goals is always fun. And the upside is that because Austria won as well, tomorrow's final games of the Relegation Round will be truly exciting as each team can either win a stay in next year's World Cup or be relegated to the First Division.
[Denmark-Germany] 4-3. Germany already qualified for the next round, so this outcome is acceptable for them. And although the Danes managed to win this one, their World Cup is over as they needed a regulation win to stay in the running. Instead this game went all the way to SO and we have seen the last couple of games that the Danes keep their cool in this situation and can turn it to their advantage.
[Norway-Canada] 2-3. I watched this one and I must admit that it was a nice soothing game. Canada was playing a calm and collected game and halfway through the third period the score was 3-0. Then the Norwegians woke up and increased pressure and suddenly this turned into a game again! At 51:36 the score was 3-1. At 52:49 it was 3-2 and I must admit that I sat up a bit straighter and got just a tad anxious. But the Canadians hung in there and have secured their spot in the Quarter Finals! Yay!
[Finland-Slovakia] 2-1. Chose to watch this one over USA-France, thinking it would be the more exciting of the two. Well, two periods into the game, a 1-0 lead for the Slovaks and I was bored so much I continued writing this article rather than concentrating on the game. At some point in the third period the players started to skate a bit faster, there was more puck movement and what do you know? The Finns scored, twice in succesion, to clinch the win and their place in the Quarter Finals. Oh, both goals were scored by Ruutu. And the Slovaks had dreams of medals and what not but it was not meant to be. The sad faces of the Slovak fans were making me go 'Awwwwww' :(
[USA-France] 3-2. Hmm, not much to report here. Some crazy reporting going on and I cannot make much sense of it. A 3-2 win over France does not sound very commanding to me, but the IIFH site suggests that the French were outclassed by far. I feel like shrugging a bit. And as I type this the Flyers tweet that JVR will be joining Team USA. Sounds like an excellent idea, they can use some offensive power! But OK, the French have no chance at moving on to the Quarter Finals and can start packing. Team USA has plenty of opportunity and I hope they take it.
Tomorrow my faves are playing - Russia and Switzerland - I hope they will win their respective games :) ... and I hope to see Ovi in good spirits!
Friday, 6 May 2011
IIHF World Championship | Day 8 | May 6th, 2011
Guys, did not get around to watch any of today's games, so really just a quick update so I have all the days covered when I read this back in a while :)
[Germany-Finland] 4-5. Whoa, the first loss for Germany this tournament. But against the Finns who of course have a repute to protect. But the reports tell me the Finns had no walk in the park and had some goaltending issues. And the game had to go all the way to SO to be decided so there is no shame in losing for the Germans. Plus I learnt something today: a player can appear twice in the SO lol ... did not know that, or is it an IIHF rule only? If - unlike me - you do have a clue, please drop me a comment about this!
[Canada-USA] 4-3. Ahhh the good old rivalry. I remember many a Winter Olympics with these two teams headlining *nods reverently*. But this Team USA hardly sets my heart aflutter, whereas Team Canada sports some of my fave NHL Players and is looking pretty good out there. I was not sure what to expect. But we got pace, hits, goals and it went all the way to SO. Speaking of hits, Dion had a big one heheh. If I find it somewhere I will add it for enjoyment! Anyways, in SO Eberle scored as well as ♥ Rick Nash ♥ ... so from my point of view ... good stuff and I am sorry I had to miss it :(
[Czech Republic-Slovakia] 3-2. The Czechs are on a nice roll as they notch down another win. Our NHL-buddies Elias and Havlat did great for the Czech Republic with various assists and goals. And on the whole this must have been an interesting game by the looks of it, with both teams generating chances. In the end the Czechs clinched it and they are looking good.
[Sweden-France] 4-0. Nothing like a a three-goal lead in the first period to kill the opponent's will. It takes a strong team to get back from such a tough start and the French just were not cut out for it. The Swedes simply dominated and smoothly sailed through this one.
Just checked the sked for tomorrow and how we are going to make it through the day, I do not know! Six games tomorrow you crazy hockey fans!
[Germany-Finland] 4-5. Whoa, the first loss for Germany this tournament. But against the Finns who of course have a repute to protect. But the reports tell me the Finns had no walk in the park and had some goaltending issues. And the game had to go all the way to SO to be decided so there is no shame in losing for the Germans. Plus I learnt something today: a player can appear twice in the SO lol ... did not know that, or is it an IIHF rule only? If - unlike me - you do have a clue, please drop me a comment about this!
[Canada-USA] 4-3. Ahhh the good old rivalry. I remember many a Winter Olympics with these two teams headlining *nods reverently*. But this Team USA hardly sets my heart aflutter, whereas Team Canada sports some of my fave NHL Players and is looking pretty good out there. I was not sure what to expect. But we got pace, hits, goals and it went all the way to SO. Speaking of hits, Dion had a big one heheh. If I find it somewhere I will add it for enjoyment! Anyways, in SO Eberle scored as well as ♥ Rick Nash ♥ ... so from my point of view ... good stuff and I am sorry I had to miss it :(
[Czech Republic-Slovakia] 3-2. The Czechs are on a nice roll as they notch down another win. Our NHL-buddies Elias and Havlat did great for the Czech Republic with various assists and goals. And on the whole this must have been an interesting game by the looks of it, with both teams generating chances. In the end the Czechs clinched it and they are looking good.
[Sweden-France] 4-0. Nothing like a a three-goal lead in the first period to kill the opponent's will. It takes a strong team to get back from such a tough start and the French just were not cut out for it. The Swedes simply dominated and smoothly sailed through this one.
Just checked the sked for tomorrow and how we are going to make it through the day, I do not know! Six games tomorrow you crazy hockey fans!
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
IIHF World Championship | Day 6 | May 4th, 2011
Almost bedtime here, but I had another fun hockey night. Here a write up of today's World Cup action.
[Denmark-Latvia] 3-2. That settled it. The Danes are on to the Qualification Round and the Latvians are headed for the Relegation Round. That is the third time since they joined the Top Division in 1997 and each time they survived. Back to the game. It seemed to be an even game and the end result could have gone either way. Nothing like a shoot-out to test your luck. Although the Danes were a bit more confident as they had won a few exhibition games that went to SO, maybe that really did help.
[Austria-Norway] 0-5. WHOP! That was a whopping result for the Norwegians aka Polar Bears. Cute nickname that. Although they may not appreciate the fact I called them cute. Anyways, I did not know about the 'Polar Bears' till today, but it sure explains why a buddy of mine wears a white bear costume to games lolol ... I assumed it had something to do with the cold and ice and snow, so I never asked. But yeah, things make sense now. Said buddy probably was at that game today. Lets just assume he will partying all evening. Anyways, the Norwegian are safe in the Qualification Round and the Austrians will have to fight for survival in the Relegation Round.
[Finland-Czech Republic] 1-2. I am learning new things about international hockey everyday. Apparently these two countries have a bit of an international rivalry going on and often the games are close with only little scoring. I have not seen this game so I will trust the report is correct and that this was a very physical and tough game with both sides taking lots of penalties. Fun bit: Pavelec was very close to a shut-out, but the Finns scored with just 20 seconds left on the clock (6 on 5). Hahah, so close!
[Sweden-USA] 6-2. Watched this game tonight and it was awesome. The first period was interesting enough with the Swedes building pressure and firing a lot of shots at Al Montoya, who bless him, was great. And a bit unexpectedly Team USA equalised on a PP with a bit over a minute to go. The Swedes were great to watch, great skating, great skills. Then the second period started and Montoya went on to disprove my comment about him being great. Basically he mucked up. He was skating behind the goal, trying to keep the puck in the game, but instead of getting rid of it properly, some Swedish guy called Kruger stole the puck and scored, pretty much an empty-netter ;) ... and for the rest of the period the Swedes were on a roll as Mattias Sjogren and Patrik Berglund scored to make it 4-1. The third period did not start very sparkly at all. I was expecting the USA to crank up the speed and start pressuring for a goal, but it was all a bit lacklustre and even the PP the USA had halfway through was played without any real energy. After the PP the Swedes actually upped the pressure a bit with a few good shots at the goal. And just as I was least expecting it, Team USA struck and Wheeler netted one for the USA. With the game against Norway still fresh in mind where they came back from a 2-0 deficit I thought we might be in for some last period fireworks. And we were! But it was the Swedes who made it happen. Where USA failed to pick up speed, Sweden did bring it and they scored two more goals to make it a huge 6-2 win. Ouch Team USA, splendid job by Sweden. Oh, it was also the most physical game I have personally seen at this World Cup, lots of skermishes and fistycuffs and at one point even one of the refs joined in and totally ninja'd a Swedish player. Hopefully someone will eventually upload a vid so I can add it. It amused me!
And I must share this. Some reporter on the IIHF.com site wrote: "The bigger Swedes played a physical, aggressive game that bothered the Americans much of the night." Right. In what universe do some hard as steel NHL/AHL players have issues with a physical and aggresive opponent? *shakes head*
[Denmark-Latvia] 3-2. That settled it. The Danes are on to the Qualification Round and the Latvians are headed for the Relegation Round. That is the third time since they joined the Top Division in 1997 and each time they survived. Back to the game. It seemed to be an even game and the end result could have gone either way. Nothing like a shoot-out to test your luck. Although the Danes were a bit more confident as they had won a few exhibition games that went to SO, maybe that really did help.
[Austria-Norway] 0-5. WHOP! That was a whopping result for the Norwegians aka Polar Bears. Cute nickname that. Although they may not appreciate the fact I called them cute. Anyways, I did not know about the 'Polar Bears' till today, but it sure explains why a buddy of mine wears a white bear costume to games lolol ... I assumed it had something to do with the cold and ice and snow, so I never asked. But yeah, things make sense now. Said buddy probably was at that game today. Lets just assume he will partying all evening. Anyways, the Norwegian are safe in the Qualification Round and the Austrians will have to fight for survival in the Relegation Round.
[Finland-Czech Republic] 1-2. I am learning new things about international hockey everyday. Apparently these two countries have a bit of an international rivalry going on and often the games are close with only little scoring. I have not seen this game so I will trust the report is correct and that this was a very physical and tough game with both sides taking lots of penalties. Fun bit: Pavelec was very close to a shut-out, but the Finns scored with just 20 seconds left on the clock (6 on 5). Hahah, so close!
[Sweden-USA] 6-2. Watched this game tonight and it was awesome. The first period was interesting enough with the Swedes building pressure and firing a lot of shots at Al Montoya, who bless him, was great. And a bit unexpectedly Team USA equalised on a PP with a bit over a minute to go. The Swedes were great to watch, great skating, great skills. Then the second period started and Montoya went on to disprove my comment about him being great. Basically he mucked up. He was skating behind the goal, trying to keep the puck in the game, but instead of getting rid of it properly, some Swedish guy called Kruger stole the puck and scored, pretty much an empty-netter ;) ... and for the rest of the period the Swedes were on a roll as Mattias Sjogren and Patrik Berglund scored to make it 4-1. The third period did not start very sparkly at all. I was expecting the USA to crank up the speed and start pressuring for a goal, but it was all a bit lacklustre and even the PP the USA had halfway through was played without any real energy. After the PP the Swedes actually upped the pressure a bit with a few good shots at the goal. And just as I was least expecting it, Team USA struck and Wheeler netted one for the USA. With the game against Norway still fresh in mind where they came back from a 2-0 deficit I thought we might be in for some last period fireworks. And we were! But it was the Swedes who made it happen. Where USA failed to pick up speed, Sweden did bring it and they scored two more goals to make it a huge 6-2 win. Ouch Team USA, splendid job by Sweden. Oh, it was also the most physical game I have personally seen at this World Cup, lots of skermishes and fistycuffs and at one point even one of the refs joined in and totally ninja'd a Swedish player. Hopefully someone will eventually upload a vid so I can add it. It amused me!
And I must share this. Some reporter on the IIHF.com site wrote: "The bigger Swedes played a physical, aggressive game that bothered the Americans much of the night." Right. In what universe do some hard as steel NHL/AHL players have issues with a physical and aggresive opponent? *shakes head*
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