IIHF World Championships: Day 2 Thread

by Bruce Peter on Apr 30, 2011 9:15 AM EDT in IIHF World Championship

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - APRIL 29: The team of Germany celebrate after the IIHF World Championship group A match between Germany and Russia at Orange Arena on April 29, 2011 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

First, a quick recap of yesterday's action:

Germany 2, Russia 0

Dennis Endras had a shutout, and was specatular in the last half of the game when Russia started to play desperate. Thomas Greilinger and Patrick Reimer scored the goals, as Germany played better early to establish the slim lead, and closed it out in fashion with Reimer's backhand deke. I mean, just watch and listen to this glory:

That's the sights and sounds of a country that had never beaten Russia before at the World Championships, and lost to them on home ice last year in the semifinals.

Slovakia 3, Slovenia 1

Boy, this one was tenser than it ought to have been. Slovakia outshot Slovenia badly, but Robert Kristan kicked out a lot of saves (42 overall) to keep it close. Ales Kranjc gave Slovenia the inital lead, but the enough goals came for Slovakia in time to post the regulation win, with Miroslav Satan, Peter Podhradsky and Lubas Bartecko (into an empty net) finding the goals. It's the result that matters most, and the result was as expected.

Switzerland 1, France 0 (OT)

It was a goaltending duel between Christobal Huet (France) and Tobias Stephan (Switzerland), ending in overtime on a goal by Julien Vauclair. The single point is key for France, who will now try and take down Belarus in order to avoid the relegation round. Switzerland should be in good shape to make the next round, even if it took them extra time to get this win.

Canada 4, Belarus 1

All of Canada's goals came from players under the age of 21: Jordan Eberle scored twice, while Jeff Skinner and John Tavares had a goal and an assist each in the win. However, Mikhail Grabovski was probably the best player on the ice, but he couldn't beat his NHL teammate James Reimer. Best story of the day? Defenseman Mario Scalzo, the only Canadian player without any NHL experience or current NHL contract, got two assists in the win.

Today's games:

Finland vs. Denmark (4:15 PM local, 10:15 AM EST - Bratislava)

USA vs. Austria (4:15 PM local, 10:15 AM EST - Kosice) - live on Versus (USA)

Czech Republic vs. Latvia (8:15 PM local, 2:15 PM EST - Bratislava)

Norway vs. Sweden (8:15 PM local, 2:15 PM EST - Kosice)

The other eight teams make their debuts today, highlighted by the defending champions going head to head with Latvia's notoriously awesome fans. The atmosphere in Bratislava today should be special. Finland and Denmark could also be a big game, while the Americans are getting more exposure this year in their home country thanks to NHL broadcasters Versus picking up the tournament. Enjoy the new experience, USA hockey fans. Think of it as a nice bonus to your NHL playoff coverage. Norway and Sweden wrap up the day's games in their very one sided hockey rivalry.

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Puck drop coming up. Looking forward to this.

Morten Green has been named captain of the Danish team instead of the retired Jesper Damgaard. Like Damgaard, Green is a hardened veterean of the team, who has only missed a single game since Denmark moved up into the A-group.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

The Staal-Christensen-Bødker line is already looking really good. Frederik Andersen looks confident in net.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

Pretty clearly no goal there.

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by Bruce Peter on Apr 30, 2011 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I think so. Pretty lucky though. I don’t remember the last time I saw the puck pounce off both posts and then back out again.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Al Montoya gets the start in goal for USA.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.

by Bruce Peter on Apr 30, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Good to see Montoya back and gaining credibility… on another good note, the ‘other’ star of the U20 tourney Marek Schwarz has just signed in Finland… hopefully he can dig himself out of the equally big hole and get up to an elite level again.

by Czechboy on Apr 30, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

The Finns are trying to rattle Andersen. Jensen needs to make more of an effort to protect him in front of the net.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

Sami Lepisto in the box for interence.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

The power play steered by Nielsen and Regin was one of the mainstregths of last year’s Danish team. Mads Christensen seems to have picked up that mantle well with a solid effort on the power play, though it does not result in goals.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

End of period 0-0. Frederik Andersen undoubtedly the best Danish player on the ice so far, though his defensemen need to do a better job of protecting him. The Finns are constantly driving at the net and trying to rattle him.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

2-0 USA after 1

Chris Kreider (still in college) and Blake Wheeler with the goals. Derek Stepan with two assists. USA seem to be dominating Austria. Good to see the Americans put together a strong performance out of the gate.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.

by Bruce Peter on Apr 30, 2011 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah. You would think they would feel a need to redeem themselves after the abysmal tournament last year.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Aaltonen makes it 2-0 Finland. Both Finnish goals came on the power play.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

I apologize today for not giving constant updates. I’m actually attending a wedding today, so I don’t have a lot of time for hockey today. I’ll get the Group D Preview up a day late as a result.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

For Twitter Updates on Puck Worlds, follow @puckworlds. For updates plus additional witty banter from yours truly, follow @saskhab.

by Bruce Peter on Apr 30, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

No worries. Enjoy yourself and congratulations to the happy couple!

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Nichlas Hardt makes it 3-1 on the power play

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Mikael Granlund makes it 4-1 with a deflection on the power play right in front of Andersen.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 12:10 PM EDT reply actions

End of game.

5-1. The Danish blueline started getting real sloppy towards the end and Andersen repeatedly got hun to dry. He remained the best Danish player on the ice despite the 5 goals, none of which were really his fault.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on Apr 30, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

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