Contents: What a Game ! Canadians never stopped exerting pressure on a very disciplined Red Armada and obtained a quick jump in score at the 6th minute thanks to Spezza, assisted by Doan and Weber. Stress was at the max in the arena, all the Russian Fans were holding their breath in front of such a determination to win from the opponent. When Saprikin released the pressure by achieving a splendid shot from far into the net, game exitement reached a peak, which remained up to second period. Then Radulov suprised everyone at the 35th minute, accomplishing perfect solo moves, faking a goal shot, then getting the puck in the cage with great finesse, assuring a crucial 1 point advance to the current Champions. Until the very last second, Maple Leaf players never gave up, had great team play but were unlucky with equalizing opportunities. They finally had to let their rival add another World title, and accept their IIHF #2 international ranking downgrade. What a Big challenge for next Olympics Organizer !
Contents: After a first period without solution for the Russians blocked by disciplined U.S players, Dustin Brown took advantage of a clumsy opponent pass in the 24th minute to open the score. Then Kovalchuk surprised everyone shooting just after faceoff. The same Kovalchuk offered an advance thanks to his comrade Frolov who deviated his shot right to the cage. Two minutes before the end of 2nd period, Okposo gave the Americans a chance to stay in the game by scoring a new goal. Crazy third period was an exciting struggle for domination, when U.S.A commited penalty near the end allowing their opponents to score in powerplay, thanks to Radulov’s shot rebounded on Gorovikov, foiling Robert Esche’s attention. Today’s spectators have got what they paid for, enjoying watching offensive Russian players prevailing over Opportunist Americans who lacked a little something to head the ship for precious Finals.
Contents: Stuck by importance of the game, both teams have not taken any particular risk in the first period. Koltsov opened the score in the second period, which started liberating the rival Red Team who equalized thanks to Proshkin, 3 minutes later. Then Belarus took a new advantage at the 34th minute with Antonenko’s goal, which again was catched up by Atjushov’ equalization. Just a few seconds later, Frolov gave a leading shot. At this point, The Russian Fans standing around the arena in superiority began to breathe. Before the bell rang, Salei from Belarus canceled this short advance and set back the counters at zero. Anguish could not be hidden on Coach Slava Bykov’s face, usually showing no emotion. For the break, he even decided to replace Goalie Bryzgalov by Eremenko. During ultimate period, 2008 Champion Kovalchuk gave the crucial goal just like last year against Canada. Conclusion is that even if it was no more piece of cake for Russia to dominate their adversary, they still manage keeping control on game and moreover, keeping their confidence.
Contents: Good hopes were still subsisting for Latvia after 4 straight victories, but standing efficient in front of the World Champions is another story. The unbreakable Russian block has accostumed us to a game looking quite relaxed, though turning to be a winning machine. One goal was scored by the Red Team in the first period (Kurianov), three in the second (Tereshenko, Tverdovsky, Kurianov). Vasiljevs saved his guys from a blank score at the 37th minute. Then Slava Bykov’s Men finished their work by increasing the gap with two other goals in the third period (Frolov, Tverdovsky). Looking really superior than any other team they met so far in the tournament (except Sweden), giving a forecast about who can make them fall reveals hazardous. Canada seems the only adversary capable of disturbing the two-headed eagle right now.
Contents: Team Russia took advantage of Swedish weaknesses whose forces had already been sucked up a day before in the game against the U.S. However, the Vikings have worried Red Team coach Slava Bykov who might have had some doubt when Huselius gave 1 goal ahead to Sweden at the 50th minute (score 3-4). Conclusion was finally given in overtime by Kalinin. The current World Champions have proved by their fantastic long-distance shots and tactical moves around opposite cage that they’re still at the very top of International Hockey. Lots of spectators dream of a Russia-Canada revenge. Will that happen ?
Contents: Switzerland has finally demonstrated to the public that it could cause problems to serious opponents. After an early goal scored by Atyushov for Russia, Gardner equalized 7 minutes later, then beyond any expectation, the Helvets took the advantage with an extra goal pushed by Pluss. On the next period, Kovalchuk relieved his partners of a burden by setting back the counters at zero. Game was tough, anyone could feel the tension among the players. While Swiss defense was resisting well, Kovalchuk served Morozov at the 49th minute, who scored a third goal. 15 seconds before the bell, Perezhogin increased the gap by shooting into the empty cage. During two hours, the hosting country of the championship has been vibrating at the rythm of an over-determinated team who gave its best.
Contents: Team Russia dominates technically the German defense by scoring no more than 3 goals in the first period (Saprykin, kovalchuk, Zynoviev). No real solution was found by the Black shirts, very few shots to goals have been given. This lack of construction and offensive attempts lead to 2 more Russian goals in the third period (Kuryanov, Morozov). The game sounded like a training stage for Current Gold Champion and reminds the gap that still exists between the big 7 nations and the rest of Hockey World.
Pre-Competition PRESENTATION
Play Federation of Russia National Anthem
Status : Current World Champion (IIHF World Ranking: 2)
Competition : Russia presumably stands in the easiest group (B) of all, since none of her competitors - Switzerland, Germany or France - ever won a medal at an international meeting since 1953. However, Switzerland, being the hosting country, might prove efficient as the local audience should expect their team to reach decent rank. Only within the next qualifying round, Russia team will show their real motivation against group C favourites: USA and the feared multi-medalist Sweden.
Pros : Players have won 2008 cup Cons : Many Russian key players are contracted by NHL clubs and might not participate as World championships will cross American playoffs
Features : This time, Team Russia won’t be lead by its top goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin (cf. video above) too much busy in the NHL playoffs to participate. Same for Superstar Evgeni Malkin. It is mainly composed of players from Russian clubs. World champion squad sets its strategy upon great technique, surprising speed and a strong offensive play, which definitely makes it good enough to end drought for Victory 2009.
Forwards : Alexander Frolov, Konstantin Gorovikov, Ilya Kovalchuk, Anton Kuryanov, Alexei Morozov, Sergei Mozyakin, Alexander Perezhogin, Alexander Radulov, Oleg Saprykin, Petr Schastlivy, Alexei Tereshchenko, Danis Zaripov, Sergei Zinovjev
Defensemen : Vitaly Atyushov, Denis Grebeshkov, Dmitri Kalinin, Konstantin Korneyev, Ilya Nikulin, Vitali Proshkin, Oleg Tverdovsky, Vitaly Vishnevski, Anton Volchenkov
Goaltenders : Ilya Bryzgalov, Alexander Eremenko, Vasiliy Koshechkin
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