IIHF Worlds: Semifinals Day Open Thread
by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 8:01 AM EDT
in IIHF World Championship
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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fifth leg of this year's Euro Hockey Tour. The top four European nations are the last four teams standing at the IIHF World Championships, after Russia took out Canada with a third period comeback to win 2-1 yesterday, while the Czechs, Swedes, and Finns all won their games as expected. These teams are all very familiar with each other, as various incarnations of their national teams play in tournaments in each other's country throughout the year during the international breaks, before ending with the World Championships. The Russians came out on top this past year, although the Czechs won the final leg of the tour on home ice in Brno, just before the Worlds opened. Does any of that matter now? No, but there are no secrets between these teams, even with the NHLers taking leading roles here.
Czech Republic 
vs. Sweden 
- 4:15 PM local, 10:15 AM EST
The defending champions are undefeated so far, have the support of the Bratislava crowd, and got to relive the glory days in their quarterfinal win over the USA, with 39 year old Jaromir Jagr dazzling the fans with a hat trick. The top line of Roman Cervenka, Tomas Plekanec and Jagr seems almost impossible, but they haven't played Sweden yet. Viktor Fästh has been the tournament's top goaltender to date, and this is the first time the Czechs have ever seen him, as he wasn't used in any of the Euro Hockey Tour tournaments at all. Patrik Berglund has been starring for Sweden in the goal scoring department, but its been a lot of unheralded players chipping in that have pushed Sweden into the semifinals for the 11th straight year. David Petrasek has been a rock on the blueline, while Niklas Persson, Robert Nilsson and Martin Thornberg have made big contributions up front.
The Czechs right now look like a behemoth. The Swedes are a strong team, but they're going to need Fasth to play like he's back in Stockholm taking on HV71 in order to pull this off. Which means its entirely possible. Still, I'm expecting the Czechs to come out on top here.
Finland 
vs. Russia 
- 8:15 PM local, 2:15 PM EST
These teams just played yesterday, and this is a quick turnaround for them, especially Russia who had a more emotionally and physically demanding game against Canada than Finland did against Norway, so we'll see if fatigue sets in on their end. The good news for Russia is that coach Vyacheslav Bykov likes to roll his lines, so no one player was overexerted, with only defender Ilya Nikulin clocking in at over 20 minutes against Canada (21:54). Meanwhile, Finland built a three goal lead in the second period and were able to keep their stars from playing too much. Mikko Koivu has been one of the busiest forwards during the entire tournament, but he only played 18:07 yesterday so he should be good to go, likely drawing an assignment against either Alex Ovechkin's line or Alexander Radulov and Ilya Kovalchuk's line. In goal, Konstantin Barulin was the star for Russia against Canada, and will likely have to be sharp early as Finland will look to get the early jump. Its doubtful that Jarkko Immonen will be able to score another one timer PP goal like he did twice against Norway, but Finland has enough other weapons in Tuomo Ruutu, Koivu, and Mikael Granlund to keep the pressure on Barulin. Petri Vehanen also had a busy game against Norway, who came in waves against Finland in the quarterfinal. Vehanen is familiar to a lot of the Russian shooters, having been the goalie for Ak Bars Kazan this past year.
This is a tough call to make. I picked Canada to beat Russia and go on to the final, but now that Russia is here I'm quite unsure which way to go. Finland beat Russia earlier in the tournament, but it took a shootout to do so. Finland has never beat Russia twice in the same tournament. The rest factor favours Finland, but I'm just not sure about Finland's offensive punch. And if the Russians win, they'll maintain the top spot in the world ranking. But what the heck: I'm taking Finland here.
Stick around all day in the comments section for discussion and updates of the games.
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Nervous!
The Swedes have had our number for a long time now… their Juniors would give us a tough game. Very nervous! I’m picking the same as Bruce… but all 4 teams could easily make the finals… there are no upsets in this final 4.
Havlat is out...
Fuck… we need him! Everyone is talking about Jagr but I’ve felt the ‘other line’ of Havlat/Elias/Michalek has been really dominant as well… I think Frolik takes his spot on that line which isn’t bad but I really wanted Havlat in.
Still Zeroes… Czechs carrying the play.
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0-0 after 1
No goals, no penalties even. Shots were 14-9, plus one after the buzzer by Plekanec that was none too popular.
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I loved his ’didn’t hear it’ gesture… what a prick!lol I’d say the game has been airtight so far… no real good chances for anyone. It was like it never happened. Not that he’s faced stellar shots but I’m really impressed with Fasth’s rebound control… he’s a human vaccuum! This is a good start for the Czechs because we haven’t scored much in the 1st period… this might be the most patient Czech team I’ve ever seen. Maybe Elias has them channelling the old school Devils? Good start for Sweden in that they’ve completely shut us down and left us with weak backhands and outside shots (which I think Fasth will handle all day).
1-0
Elias on a GORGEOUS feed from Michalek (Milan)… amazingly, Rolinek almost scored an identical goal 5 seconds later. Fasth even intercepted the pass a bit but Elias still got his stick on it.
That was a great play.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Elias/Michalek/Frolik
Frolik did take the spot on the line… Elias is now tied in points for the Czechs with 8. This is his first ever time not going to the Playoffs… he also has very few medals playing for the Czechs (a Bronze I believe)… playing on a mission.
Pavelec just made his first gorgeous save… I’m amazed at how much praise the Czech D gets… I thought that’d be our big weakness coming in (except for Zidlicky/Michalek)…
Cervenka with a stupid penalty… he’s also had 2 great chances to score and hasn’t… I don’t know why but I am just not a huge Cervenka fan and he’s our best hope to jump to the NHL
1-1
Nice goal by Berglund (7 goals…wow)… but I think Pavelec fucked that one up… it went through him!
TV
Anyone know if these games are being played live on Versus today in the US?
Sorry, don’t know about Versus. They’ve been really inconsistent with their scheduling.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Kruger dinged with a holding minor… big chance for the Czechs.
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2-1 SWE
Backlund with a great snipe.
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Huge save by Pavelec on a penalty shot. Czechs gave up the PS for covering the puck in the crease.
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Penalty shot
Pavelec with a ridiculous save and then Rachunk (smartly) puts his glove on the puck… tension!!!
2-1 SWE after 2
Total domination by Sweden for the most part in that period. They gave up a few chances, but the Czechs gave them a lot more.
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26-10 were the shots for Sweden IN THE SECOND PERIOD.
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ok, we survived
what’s funny is that I’d say the Czechs were better for the first 30 minutes… the last 10 we fell apart. However, Elias should have been awarded a penalty shot and wasn’t. Swedes have 3 power plays versus 1 for the Czechs… honestly, we should go in and THANK GOD it’s only 2-1… anyone know what happened to Roman Cervenka??? Injured or benched? I’m seeing a lot of Frolik. Has Hadamczak panic’d? Is he shortening the bench already?
Don’t know if its an injury, but he’s definitely pulled Cervenka.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
not sure why?
I listened the Czech commentators for the 2nd intermission… they are saying a penalty shot shouldn’t have been called on Rachunek according to IIHF rules… it looked obvious to me… anyone know what they are tlaking about?
Looked clear cut to me. Don’t know what they could be referring to.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Pavelec...
If we tie this up, and it doesn’t look good, Pavelec deserves a city named after him… right beside Vokounville!
Vampola playing with Plekanec and Jagr…
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Havlat in the stands and forward number 14 on the first line.lol Vampola plays with Cervenka and Jagr in OMSK… I’m assuming that was just one shift though… I think the Czech bench has been severely shortened and we’re basically playing Jagr and the NHLers up front…
We got lucky there.. penalty should’ve been called against us…
Dobro Noc!
That’s Czech for ‘good night’… 3-1… fuck!
That was a terrible pinch on the play. No way a 3 on 1 should have happened off a faceoff loss.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup! and we followed that up with another 2 on 1 where Silfverberg cranked the post… Sweden has played awesome, stuck to their plan and should be very proud of themselves… the Czechs have self imploded. They are revolving wingers, panicing and allowing a lot of breaks.
I’ve seen this before.. Sweden is KING at this… get a lead, create amazing stifling defence and counter with odd man breakaways… Sweden is in their heaven right now playing beautiful classic Swedish hockey.
That was some serious bullshit...
Rape Voracek.. no call… goalie makes save.. no whistle… goal for Sweden
4-1 SWE
Silfverberg on a scramble in front gets his goal.
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4-2
Elias makes it more respectable with his 2nd.
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Elias...
4-2… not that it matters.. Sweden is on the way to the gold medal game… nice goal… Elias has been awesome, as has Pavelec. The Swedes have been awesome too… Hadamczak still blows and the refs are even worse. Oh, and Fasth has been great…
5-2 SWE
No repeat this year. Berglund with the empty netter.
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My congrats to Sweden...
They played awesome and deserved to win.. they beat us in Brno, they beat us here… good for them. What impresses me is that this is their B team by far.. they went with Youth and played their system to perfection!!! It was a beautiful game by them…
I think Hadamczak outcoached himself and panicked too early. He cut bench to like one and half units or 2. Sweden just played their game and win.
FIN/RUS
Game is underway. Nothing too much to report so far.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 2:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Granlund almost sneaks one through Barulin. Not quite, though. Still scoreless.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 2:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Scoreless first. Russia got more chances as the period went on.
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by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2011 2:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The game has been extremely physical continuing the trend from last night against Canada. Lots of checks and hits all over the ice and along the boards.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
1-0 FIN
Oh no, he didn’t.
GRANLUND GRANLUND GRANLUND
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Early goal of the decade candidate.
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Im a Wild fan
So my only reason to watch this game, was to get a glimpse of our top Prospect… He didnt disappoint…
The deke, then the sneak. I love how fast he whipped the puck in as well.
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wow, nice goal… I’m watching it on a delay but had to jump on to see the reaction.
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by Cam Collingwood on May 13, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve just Fanshotted the goal on the front page.
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Those slashing penalties on Ovechkin have seemed a little weak
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
He duped the refs earlier in the game into giving Finland a Delay of Game penalty. They aren’t amused, it seems.
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3-0 FIN
Fluke goal for Lajunen, then Granlund sets up Immonen on a PP (again). Different goal than the Norway ones, though.
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And that same penalty again only called on Kovalchuk this time.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
To be honest, I’ve seen those called during the tournament. It’s not anything new.
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Maybe. But I’ve also seen them not called. Not to mention there was an episode where Barulin repeatedly got bumped by the Finns and there was no whistle. Eventually he had to throw down his helmet to get them to blow the whistle. I usually stay away from criticising the officiating but it has really been lacklustre this entire tournament.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
3-0 FIN Final
Finland vs. Sweden for the gold. A year too early!
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Heh. I was looking at the semi-finals, finals and bronze match at the 2006 Turin Olympics and foundthat as I recalled, they looked a little familiar.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
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