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Post by JNK on May 5, 2006 13:51:36 GMT 1
WC of ice hockey starting soon, so are you going to watch this happening Its in Latvia, Riga www.ihwc2006.lv/ official site of WC Finland is in A group with noot so good team maybe Czech but others arent good... Group A:CZE FIN LAT SLO B:CAN USA DEN NOR C:SWE SUI UKR ITA D:SVK RUS BLR KAZ Its start today @ 21:00 GMT+3 We have 1st match in 17:05 FIN vs SLO (pwned)  |
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Post by mickey on May 5, 2006 14:13:10 GMT 1
WC of ice hockey starting soon, so are you going to watch this happening Finland is in A group with noot so good team maybe Czech but others arent good... Group A:CZE FIN LAT SLO We have 1st match in 17:05 FIN vs SLO (pwned) Slovenija is a good team, but we have no chances against Finland, that is sure  I think the Usa, Canada, Sweden and Finland will go against each other for gold... Hope to see some good games  Mickey |
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Post by mickey on May 5, 2006 14:19:30 GMT 1
 JNK has already written the main things about World Cup in Latvia, but here are some more informations... Last year's world championships were the only show in town. The game's best players were lined up to take part in the annual showcase. This year with the NHL labour dispute settled and the NHL playoffs taking the spotlight, team managers have once again been forced to go begging. Cobbling together national teams at the end of a long gruelling NHL campaign has required an expert's sales pitch. In the past, managers could count on luring a few frontline recruits from teams who failed to qualify for the NHL post-season. But with many players feeling they have met their international obligations for the year by playing at the Turin Olympics these world championships are proving a particularly tough sell. Most of the teams taking part in the 16-nation tournament that will run from May 5-21 in this tiny Baltic country, will not be hugely affected by the absence of the NHL players. The top nations, however, will all be anxious to bolster their gold medal chances by inserting a few key pieces into their lineups. If Sweden are to pull off an unprecedented golden double by adding a world championship to their Turin Olympic title, the Tre Kronor will have to do it without, among others, their brilliant netminder Henrik Lunqvist of the New York Rangers and veteran stalwart Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Six times since 1972, a world championship and Olympics have been staged in the same year but no country has ever won both. The Czech Republic faces no less a challenge as they defend the world title they captured last year in Austria without the help of battered Ranger Jaromir Jagr, the NHL's second leading scorer this season, and Ottawa Senators injured netminder Dominik Hasek. YOUNGER TEAMJust two days before their opening game of tournament on May 5, Canada manager Ken Holland was burning up the phone lines, scrambling to fill eight spots. "There's been no Olympians who have expressed an interest in going," Holland told CBC. "They've had a long season with the Olympics jammed in. "We think we have some good young legs. I think it's going to be more of a younger team. "We're trying to find some veteran leadership and hopefully we can find that at the conclusion of the first round (of the NHL playoffs)." With three Canadian teams (Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary) still in the chase for the Stanley Cup, interest in the world championships will be lowered but expectations will remain high. Whether it is a forgettable tournament or a replica of the Olympics, if it involves skates and a puck, hockey-mad Canadians expect their teams to return home with the trophy. That will be no different in Latvia, where a young Canadian team will be charged with restoring national honour after the country failed to reach the medal round at the Turin Winter Games. Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, who was controversially left off the Canadian Olympic team by Wayne Gretzky, will still get the opportunity to cap off his brilliant rookie campaign with a gold medal. The youngest player in NHL history to score 100 points when he tallied 39 goals and 63 assists this season, these worlds will be viewed as the start of Crosby's top level international apprenticeship. Hockey Canada is grooming the 18-year-old for an anticipated leadership role when Canada host the 2010 Winter Olympics. "To get the opportunity (to play in the world championships) is nice," said Crosby, who led Canada to gold at the 2005 world junior championships. "It's an honour to represent my country. "With not being in the playoffs, hopefully it will extend the season a little bit." The championships could also add another chapter to what is developing into one of the NHL's great rivalries as Crosby, once again, goes toe-to-toe with Washington Capitals rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin, who became just the fourth player in NHL history to score 50 goals in his rookie campaign, is expected to lead an explosive Russian team who will also include, hugely talented Evgeni Malkin, widely regarded the best player outside the NHL. |
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Post by mickey on May 5, 2006 20:51:41 GMT 1
 Finland rallied from behind to beat Slovenia 5-3 on the first day of competition at the ice hockey world championship on Friday. Slovenia's Jurij Golicic went to the box for interference and Tomi Kallio snapped a 3-3 tie just after the second brake to earn Finland the win. Kallio's game winner was his second goal on the day while Mikko Lehtonen added a goal and an assist. Antti Miettinen and Sean Bergenheim also scored for the Finns. Young Anze Kopitar scored twice for Slovenia while Ales Kranjc had the third. "It was a big surprise," said Kopitar. "Nobody expected the score was going to be like that. We were working hard and that was the key." The deciding factor in the game was special teams as seven of the eight goals came on the power play. Bergenheim's goal was the first even strength goal of the night. Referee Alexander Poliakov continued the IIHF's crackdown on physical play as Slovenia racked up 30 penalty minutes to Finland's 18. "The penalties really got us confused," said Bergenheim. "But I think we learned from this game, and we're going to be more ready for the next game. We definitely could have had more goals tonight." Slovenia broke the deadlock at 7:10 in the first period just after the Finns killed off a two man advantage. Ales Kranjc blasted a slap shot from the faceoff circle. Finish goaltender Fredrik Norrena was screened by Anze Kopitar as the puck beat Norrena high to the stick side. With five minutes left in the first frame, Slovenia extended their lead to two goals when Anze Kopitar slid the puck past Norrena's right skate and into the far corner of the net. Finland cut the lead in half just before the end of the first period as Petteri Nummelin fired a great pass to Kallio who blasted a long range shot past Robert Kristan. The Finns gained parity five minutes into the second period after Jussi Jokinen fed Antti Miettinen in the slot. Miettinen's snap shot caught Kristan going the wrong way. Slovenia roared back to the lead at 7:21 when Tomaz Razingar jumped on a loose puck at the blue line. Razingar picked out Kopitar who put the puck in the back of the net. "The goals come when you're working hard," said Kopitar. Two minutes from the end of the second period Finland clawed their way back into the game when Norrena vacated the ice in place of an extra skater on a delayed penalty to Slovenia. Sean Bergenheim deflected Mikko Lehtonen's slap shot from the blue line past Kristan. "I saw he was going to take a slapshot, and then I tipped it with my stick," said Bergenheim. "I'm happy but much more happy with the win." Kallio bagged the winner when he finished off finish passing exhibtion involving Jokinen and Miettinen. The Finns iced the win when they converted a power play at 13:17 through a Lehtonen blast from the point. "It was a tremendous game for us," said Slovenia's Dejan Varl. "I think in the end, our strength came down a little bit. It was a big effort for us to play a game like this. We can surprise anybody if we play like this and have some luck." Finland take on Latvia on Sunday while Slovenia have the Czech Republic. |
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Post by mickey on May 5, 2006 20:54:07 GMT 1
 Dustin Brown scored a hat trick and the USA blew past Norway 3-1 in the opening game of the 70th ice hockey World Championships on Friday. Norway led early until Brown made his mark, scoring early in the second period and twice in the third. Norway killed an early penalty and earned the first chance of the game through Per-Age Skroder's one-timer from the slot. Craig Anderson managed the save. The American's suffered a slew of first period penalties giving Norway four consecutive power plays. Skroder missed a great chance to open the scoring when Anderson went down prematurely in front of the net. All Skroder had to do was lift the puck over the sprawling American goaltender but hit defenseman Hal Gill instead. On the fourth man advantage Tommy Jacobsen rifled a slapshot from the point beating Anderson over his right shoulder. Dustin Brown nipped in to score the American's first goal after picking up a rebound from a Pal Grotnes save. Brown earned the lead for the US on 5:42 of the third period when he stick-handled down the right side of the Norway zone. He found enough space to whip a shot on net. Gotnes made the initial save but the puck trickled through his legs and just over the line. Minutes later Anders Bastiansen and Morten Ask found themselves two on one in front of Anderson's net. Bastiansen slid the puck across the slot for Ask but Anderson saved the one-time shot. 15 minutes from the end Brown converted the hat trick on the power play to put the game away for the US. |
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Post by 81507 on May 5, 2006 20:56:51 GMT 1
Yeah! Good game from the finns (exept the beginning)  I wonder will this be Finland vs Sweden at somepoint |
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Post by mickey on May 6, 2006 7:55:47 GMT 1
 Denmark stormed back from a 3-0 lead before Canada edged them 5-3 on Friday. Sidney Crosby grabbed the winner in the third period. Mike Richards added an insurance goal seven minutes later. Mike Comrie and Brad Boyes were Canada's other goal scorers. Danish captain Jesper Damgaard was knocked out of the game in the first minute of play by a Mike Comrie hit behind the net. Damgaard was rushed to the hospital for further examination after showing signs of a concussion. Canada's highly regarded first line did not dissapoint as Brad Boyes, Sidney Crosby, and Patric Bergeron amassed three goals and four assists on the night. "Me and Boyes played all year together, and me and Sid[ney Crosby played together at the World Junior Championships," Patrice Bergeron said. "We felt good together. But we hope to get better every game." Canadians Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and Jason Williams touched down in Riga just hours before the game. Canada looked fine until the end of the second period when the non-fatigued Danes took their advantage. "It was tough tonight, we played a lot of minutes and it was hot out there," said Crosby after the game. "But that's the way it is, we had no choice [because of the short bench]." Canada scored first when Boyes powered the puck past Danish netminder Peter Hirsch in the fifth minute of the game. Crosby rattled in the second goal of the evening over a diving Hirsch in the slot to bag his first goal of the competition. The lead was extended 13 minutes into the first frame when a fine pass from Micki Dupont put Mike Comrie through on Hirsch's net. Comrie beat the goalie blocker side. Canada looked to be cruising to an easy opening victory when Denmark turned the tables. Frans Nielsen scored a shorthanded goal to spark the comeback. When Sephane Robiadas was whistled for interference veteran forward Jens Nielsen stepped up to convert the power play by deflecting a Thomas Johnsen slap shot. |
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Post by mickey on May 6, 2006 7:56:42 GMT 1
 Hosts Latvia tied the holders, Czech Republic, 1-1 to the delight of a sold out Riga Arena in the ice hockey World Championship on Friday. Latvia drew first blood when a goaltending error from Milan Hnilicka allowed Aleksejs Sirokovs to claim the opener. There was a certain buzz in the air prior to Latvia's first match of the tournament. The President of the Republic of Latvia, Ms. Vaira Vike-Freiberga officially declared the competition to be open. The crowd noise during team introductions was tremendous. "They always do this for us," said Sergei Naumovs. "In my memory they have always been with us at the World Championships in the seats in every country." Latvia seized the home ice advantage by scoring an early goal. With 6:22 seconds in the books Sirokov stick handled across the Czech blue line and dumped a weak shot on Hnilicka's net. The puck somehow squeaked through the netminder's pads and trickled over the line. The Czechs almost equalized midway through the first frame but the top line of David Vyborny, Martin Erat, and Jan Hlavac were denied by a fine kick save from Latvian goalie Sergejs Naumovs. "It was a nervous game for our players in the first five or ten minutes," said Czech defenseman Tomas Kaberle. "I think everyone played well today. It is tough to play the Latvians when they are keeping four or five guys back. You just have to pressure them hard and hope for some rebounds." Naumovs then made his presence known. His 11 saves in the first period kept the Czechs from taking the lead. The Torpedo Nizhny-Novgorod had 30 saves in the game. "You cannot play an easy game against the Czechs," said Naumovs. "If you make just one wrong move it is tough to get the puck back from such a skilled team. We tried to concentrate from the first second until the very last one." Despite a magnificent Naumovs, the Czechs looked destined to score and finally broke through with 30 seconds left in the first frame. 18 minutes into the second period Georgijs Pujacs was spotted for a high stick which brought out the less than prolific Czech power play unit. They ended the game zero of 11. Latvia almost snatched a winner with less than ten seconds left in the third period. The snap shot skided inches wide of Hnlicka's far post. "At this World Championship it is a big bonus for the fans that they get to celebrate the big teams and big players in their own city," said Naumovs. Latvian will take their hard earned point into their second fixture of the tournament against Finland on Sunday while the Czechs will try to bounce back against Slovenia that same day. "We're not here for fun," said Naumovs. "It is never fun to lose but it is always fun to win." |
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Post by mickey on May 6, 2006 8:00:13 GMT 1
Today's schedule:
15.15 Belarus - Slovakia
15.15 Switzerland - Italy
19.15 Russia - Kazakhstan
19.15 Ukraine - Sweden
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Post by JNK on May 6, 2006 9:53:45 GMT 1
We dont even have our best NHL players Selänne and Koivu + others... but good luck to Selänne with Anaheim  Latvia will be easy if they wont just try to cut the game... And previous world champion will win allmost for sure And 81 ofcourse we hope that sweden does not qualify against finland but it it does you know the result... |
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Post by mickey on May 6, 2006 20:18:20 GMT 1
 Belarus shocked Slovakia 2-1 at the Riga Arena on Saturday afternoon. Dmitri Meleshko and Oleg Antonenko scored for Belarus. Belarusian netminder Andrei Mezin recorded 36 saves in the biggest shock of the tournament so far. Ivan Ciernik scored for Slovakia. After an uneventful first 10 minutes Mezin saved a Aleksandr Makritsky drive and smothered the puck in front of the crease. Mezin robed Marian Hossa on a 2-on-1 chance at the end of the first period. Just after the first intermission Mezin made another miraculous save when Martin Strbak shot from close range. Maleshko opened the scoring at 14:18 of the second period when he flew down the right boards and danced around goalie Tomas Harant. Slovakia answered back three minutes later when the puck found Ciernik alone in front of the net and he banged in the equalizer. At the end of the second frame Belarus retook the lead. Mikhail Grabovsky stick handled into the Slovakian zone and found Andrei Skabelka. Skabelka picked out Antonenko who whipped the puck into the back of the net. Belarus beat Slovakia once before, 4-3 on April 18, 2000 in a match before the IIHF World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia. Belarus have Russia next while Slovakia take on Kazakhstan. SWISS DOWN ITALYIt was not easy but Switzerland managed to beat Italy 3-1 in the afternoon's other action. The Swiss broke through in the 44th minute when Ivo Ruthermann got the first of his two goals. Patrick Della Rossa scored in the 52nd minute and Ruthermann iced the game a minute from full time. Martin Pluss missed a penalty shot. Anthony Iob scored for Italy. |
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Post by mickey on May 7, 2006 12:41:15 GMT 1
 Russia pummeled lowly Kazakhstan 10-1 in their opening match of the ice hockey World Championships on Saturday night. 20-year-old superstar Alexander Ovechkin had a hat-trick as did Alexander Semin. Evgeni Malkin racked up a goal and three assists while Denis Arkhipov had a goal and an assist. The young Russians showed virtuosity that should have NHL scouts drooling. "Naturally, a coach is satisfied with victory," said Russian Head Coach Vladimir Krikunov. "Especially one as good as this, although from my coaching point of view, there were some mistakes." Konstantin Gorovikov and Dmitry Bykov also found the back of the net for Russia. Ilya Nikulin showed his generosity by shelling out four assists. "We wanted to show that we're a good team and we've come to this tournament to play," said Arkhipov. "We jumped on a couple of mistakes early, scored a couple of goals. This team had the power play working tonight, which is important." Yevgeniy Koreshkov had the Kazakh's only goal. Russian goalie Sergei Zvyagin made 16 saves. "We had 40 penalty minutes and that's considerable," said Kazakh Head Coach Nikolay Myshagin. "But we have limited financial possibilities and we're doing our best. These championships require serious preparation. We had one test game in Finland. One is too few for this kind of preparation. But this Russian team is good, and their target is on victory. This is a good sign that they might be future champs." Ovechkin scored the first goal the second minute of the game after taking a great feed from Evgeni Malkin that sliced the Kazakh defence apart. Denis Arkhipov's blast from the point snaked through traffic in front of Roman Medvedev's net to make the score 2-0. Halfway through the opening frame it was 3-0 when Konstantin Gorovikov stick handled past the Kazakhs defence. Two minutes later Yevgeniv Blokhin blasted Ovechkin in the corner and earned himself a misconduct. Kazakhstan cut the lead to two when Koreshkov bundled home his brother Alexandr's pass. A comeback was not on the cards as Russia pulled further ahead through Dmitri Bykov and Ovechkin goals. The sixth came when Malkin stripped Yevgeniy Koreshkov at the blue line and poked the puck on towards Medvedev. The Kazakh goalie tried to stick the puck away but miss played it and it bounced over his head. Malkin came flying over the top of Madvedev and stroked home the goal. "He's a really exciting player," said Arkhipov of Malkin. "He took advantage of a turnover and scored. We were all impressed." Ovechkin finished off his hat trick when he took Malkin's pass at 29:39 and backhanded it past a sprawling Medvedev. Medvedev was pulled in favour of veteran Sergey Tambulov who did not fair much better. Semin roofed a backhand at 12:24 in the second period to put the lead at 8-1. Semin pitched in two goals in the third period to make the rout complete. "It's important to respect all opponents," said Krikunov. "God forbid, if we lose, then everyone will forget this first victory." Kazakhstan face Slovakia on Monday and the impressive Russians have Belarus. |
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Post by mickey on May 7, 2006 12:42:10 GMT 1
 Sweden downed the Ukraine 4-2 in the ice hockey World Championships on Saturday night. Fredrik Emvall scored a pair of goals and Bjorn Melin chipped in two assists in the win. In the absence of the best Swedish players the top line of Andreas Karlsson, Bjorn Melin, and Fredrik Emvall stepped up to score the first three goals. The match was peppered with minor penalties. There were 15 power plays that accounted for five of the six goals. Sweden broke the deadlock late in the first period when Fredrik Emvall whipped a wrist shot past Ukrainian netminder Konstyantyn Simchuk scoring the only even strength goal of the evening. Ukraine drew level a minute later thanks to Konstiantyn Kasianchuk. Yuriy Daychenko fired a perfect pass from the corner that Kasianchuk one-timed a shot under Johan Holmqvist's leg pad. Emvall struck again in the first minute of the second period when his slap shot somehow found its way through Simchuk's pads. The Ukraine pulled even at 34:55 against the run of play. Andriy Mikhnov pounced on his own rebound in the crease and smashed home his side's second goal. It appeared that Holmqvist had smothered the puck. It trickled free and Mikhnov spotted it and took full advantage of Holmqvist's hesitation. Four minutes later the Olympic Gold medalists took the lead, this time for good. Andreas Karlsson drove home a rebound after a Simchuk save left the goalie out of position. Mika Hannula put the game out of reach when he scored with 14 minutes left in the match, again on the power play. Sweden take on Italy on Monday night while the Ukraine take on Switzerland. |
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Post by mickey on May 7, 2006 19:21:17 GMT 1
 The Czech Republic slipped past Slovenia 5-4 after blowing a four goal lead in the ice hockey World Championships on Sunday afternoon. Martin Erat led the way for the Czechs with two goals and two assists. Zbynek Michalek scored twice and Tomas Kaberle pitched in two assists. Tomas Plekanec capped off the Czech scoring. Frantisek Vyborny's Slovenia side came within a goal of pulling off a huge upset after the Czech Republic jumped out to an early lead. Vyborny, who led Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic to the Euroleague title this season, watched his son, Czech captain David Vyborny contribute two assists for the victors. Egon Muric, Mitja Sotlar, Ales Kranjc and Tomaz Razingar all netted for Slovenia. Razingar and the young sensation Anze Kopitar each had two assists. Czech goalie Milan Hnilicka had 13 saves for the winners while his counterpart Gabor Glavic was pulled after conceding four goals in a mere 14 minutes. Robert Kristan replaced him. The Czechs had 44 shots on goal. In the second minute of the game Tomas Plekanec got the goal parade started when he passed by Slovenian defender Mitja Sotlar and slotted a backhand through the legs of Glavic. Two minutes later Tomas Kaberle blasted a shot from the blue line that Erat deflected in front of the net. Glavic had no chance and the lead was 2-0. The Czechs pulled out to a three goal lead on the power play when Vyborny picked out Erat on the right who tipped the puck in 10 minutes into the first period. Three minutes later, Zbynek Michalek made it 4-0 when he took Erat's pass in the crease and blazed a wrist shot past Glavic top shelf. Frantisek Vyborny decided that Glavic had enough and yanked him in favour of Robert Kristan. The change marked the beginning of the comeback. The Slovenians got on the scoreboard when Egon Muric fired a shot from the right face off circle that hit both posts before coming out of the goal. Head referee Richard Schuetz went to the review box and consulted the video judges who ruled that the puck had crossed the line. In the first minute of the second period Mitjar Sotlar netted a power play goal to cut the lead in half. Michalek put the Czechs up by three again after Jaroslav Balastik found him in the slot and he rocketed his shot home. Slovenia would not be discouraged and roared back to score two more goals. With a delayed penalty on the way to the Czechs Ales Kranjc shot from the point. The puck found its way past Hnilicka after snaking through traffic in front of the crease. The fourth Slovenian goal was too little to late as Tomaz Razingar scored in the last second of regulation. Slovenia will face Latvia in a must win game while the Czechs have Finland on Tuesday. |
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Post by mickey on May 7, 2006 19:22:13 GMT 1
 The United States skated past Denmark 3-0 in World Championship action on Sunday afternoon in Latvia. Andrew Alberts opened the scoring. Yan Stastny added a second five minutes later and Ryan Kessel capped off the scoring in the third period. The US moves to 2-0. Denmark is now 0-2. In the first period Denmark skated well and managed to impose themselves physically against the bigger, stronger Americans. Rasmus Pander leveled Ryan Malone along the far boards to the pro-Danish crowd's delight. Despite a very organized Danish defence, late in the first period the Americans almost opened the scoring while shorthanded. Ryan Kesler danced around a defenceman and ripped a backhand off Danish goalie Peter Hirsch's crossbar. The Danish defence could not hold in the second period and the US jumped out to a two goal lead. 33 seconds after the first intermission, Andrew Alberts came straight out of the penalty box and managed to get on the end of a loose puck. With no one in his path he controlled the bouncing puck and stick handled around Hirsch to open the score. The second goal came at 6:32 when Ryan Suter smashed a shot from the point that Hirsch saved. The rebound bounced to Yan Stastny who lifted the puck over the Danish goalie's leg pad. The Danes had a chance to get back in the game early in the third period when Andy Hilbert got pegged with a double minor for high sticking. The Danes could not capitalize and the US escaped the danger. Craig Anderson, who has impressed early on in the tournament, made a dazzling glove stop from a Christoffer Kjaergaard slap shot for one of his 19 saves. The final goal came with eight minutes left in the third. Hirsch assumed that icing was going to be called. The whistle did not come and Hilbert jumped on the puck. Phil Kessel took the pass in the slot and scored the Americans' final goal. The US battle rivals Canada while the Danes take on Norway on Tuesday. |
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Post by mickey on May 8, 2006 17:18:01 GMT 1
Finland schooled the hosts Latvia 5-0 in the ice hockey World Championships on Sunday night in Riga. Latvia squandered two 5-on-3 power plays and will play Slovenia to avoid being eliminated from the tournament before the knockout round.
After the surprise draw against the Czechs, Latvia only need a point against Slovenia to ensure their continued participation in the tournament.
Jari Viuhkola, Tomi Kallio, Ville Peltonen, Aki-Petterj Berg, and Jani Rita all put their names on the scorer's sheet while Petteri Nummelin and Jussi Jokinen each had two assists. Finnish goaltener Antero Niittymaki carried his fine international form over from the Olympics in Turin, recording 19 saves in the shutout.
Latvia killed off back-to-back penalties in the early stages of the game. Finland's Tuomo Ruutu received a game misconduct and a five minute major when he smashed Mikelis Redlihs into the boards.
The advantage was doubled at 8:59 when Mikko Lehtonen was sent to the box for holding. Niittymaki came to the rescue of his Finnish teammates keeping Latvia out of the back of the net.
At the other end of the ice Sergejs Naumovs stoned Ville Peltonen on a one-time shot from the slot and again just minutes later when Peltonen found space in the Latvian zone.
Finland opened the scoring at 4:32 of the second frame after Kaspars Astasenko took a holding penalty. Jari Viuhkola was on the end of a nifty three-way passing combination from Jukka Hentunen and Mikko Lehtonen.
Atvars Tribuncovs was left red faced after he lost the puck in his own zone leading to a Tomi Kallio breakaway that the Finn had no trouble converting.
Latvia had another two man advantage at the end of the second period. Niittymaki was imperial, however, and preserved his shutout.
The Finns took their goaltender's cue and racked up two more power play goals in the third period through Ville Peltonen and Petteri Nummelin. They added an even strength strike with less than five minutes left when Jani Rita was on the end of a Esa Piernes rebound.
Latvia are still yet to beat Finland in international play. The Finns have two wins and a draw against the Latvians having beat them 6-0 in the World Championships in 1998. The two drew 0-0 in last years World Championships.
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Post by mickey on May 8, 2006 17:18:28 GMT 1
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby continued his ice hockey world championship scoring spree on Sunday with a spectacular goal and three assists as Canada romped to a 7-1 win over Norway. The victory sets up a Group D showdown for the top spot with the United States.
Crosby, who opened the championship with a pair of goals against Denmark, enjoyed another productive night for Canada, adding fuel to his world championship rivalry with Russian and Washington Capitals sensation Alexander Ovechkin.
The leading candidates for National Hockey League (NHL) rookie of the year honours, Crosby and Ovechkin have dazzled the international audience with their scoring skills in a battle of one-upmanship that looks set to continue throughout the championship.
Ovechkin, only the fourth player to score 50 goals in his debut NHL season, had a hat-trick in Russia's opener and no doubt will be keen to add to his tally against Belarus on Monday.
The 20-year-old Russian, however, will have to produce something special to top Crosby's sensational goal against Norway.
Taking control of the puck in the neutral zone, Crosby stickhandled his way past three Norwegian defenders then neatly deposited the puck behind a twisting Pal Grotnes to put Canada ahead 4-0.
HOME TEAM
Patrice Bergeron had a pair of goals while Mike Comrie, Brad Boyes, Jason William and Brendan Shanahan added singles to complete the rout.
Patrick Thoresen spoiled Alex Auld's shutout bid when he converted a two-man advantage midway through the third period to close out the scoring.
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Post by mickey on May 8, 2006 17:18:49 GMT 1
Russia needed a third period goal from Alexander Kharitonov to lift them over Belarus in World Championships action on Monday afternoon. Russia took the lead early but Belarus scored two quick goals in the second period to take the lead.
It then took Denis Kulyash and Kharitonov to give the Russians a win that sees them through to the next round of the tournament. Belarus move to a record of one win and one loss meaning that their fate is still up in the air in front of their clash with Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
Five minutes into the game Oleg Antonenko took out Alexander Ovechkin as the young Russian was put on to Belarus goalie Andrei Mezin's net. The foul resulted in a penalty shot that Mezin saw go wide off his left post.
Belarus were on to something with their suffocating style of play that did not allow the Russians nearly as much room as they had to work with against Kazakhstand. As an testament to Belarus coach Glen Hanlon's coaching ability, the Russian top line of Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, and Ovechkin were kept entirely off the score sheet.
Hanlon might have an idea what he's doing as he is both Semin and Ovechkin's coach with the Washington Capitols.
Midway through the first period Russia broke the deadlock after Belarus took a needless penalty for too many men on the ice. Igor Yemeleyev found room in the slot to whip in the first goal over Mezin's right shoulder.
Belarus came bursting back into the game in the second period when they converted a two man advantage that carried over from the opening frame. After an extended stint of possession in the Russian zone the Belarus power play finally clicked when a Andrei Kostitsyn pass found Antonenko in the right face off circle. Antonenko ripped a shot that glanced off Sergei Zyagin's blocker and into the net.
In other action, Switzerland downed the Ukraine in group B. Goran Bezina grabbed the opener after 10 minutes. Andreas Ambuhl jumped on a Ukrainian miscue to score shorthanded just before the break. The Ukraine's Andriy Mikhnov pulled one back in the second period.
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Post by mickey on May 9, 2006 18:40:34 GMT 1
At the ice hockey world championships, hosts Latvia scored five unanswered goals to send Slovenia to the relegation round. Meanwhile, Norway won their first match of the world championships and sent Denmark to the relegation round with a 6-3 win at the Skonta Arena.
Mitja Sivic gave Slovenia a 1-0 lead at 5:35 of the first period before the Latvians exploded for four second-period goals to kill the contest with 20 minutes left to play.
Aleksandrs Semjonovs, Martins Cipulis, Aleksandrs Jerofejevs and Leonids Tambijevs scored goals and Aleksandrs Nizivijs added three assists in a 13-minute period in front of a 10,500-strong crowd which included Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.
Herberts Vasiljevs added a powerplay marker midway through the final period to seal victory for Latvia, who held defending champions the Czech Republic to a 1-1 draw before losing 6-0 to Finland in their first two games.
The Slovenians, who lost all three of their preliminary round games, will now play in the relegation group.
NORWAY, YES WAY
Tore Vikingstad had a goal and set up another three in Norway's 6-3 win over Denmark.
The Scandinavian rivals met in a Pool A game for the first time since 1949 in a must-win contest for both sides.
Mats Trygg gave the Norwegians the lead with a powerplay goal in the first period before the Danes came storming back with a pair of powerplay markers of their own.
Daniel Nielsen stickhandled into the high slot and lofted a shot past Mathias Gundersen before Kim Staal made it 2-1 just before the buzzer rang to end the period.
Norway regained the lead in the second period as Mads Hansen, Per-Age Skroder and Patrick Thoresen scored in powerplay.
Marius Holtet recorded Norway's first even strength goal of the tournament when he opened the third period.
Jannik Hansen tried to spark a Danish rally with yet another powerplay goal before the Norwegians tightened up in defense and Vikingstad wrapped it up with an empty net marker.
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Post by mickey on May 10, 2006 15:49:41 GMT 1
1 Finland 5 3 13 6
2 Czech Republic 4 3 9 8
3 Latvia 3 3 6 7
4 Slovenia 0 3 8 15
Pts P GF GA
1 Sweden 4 2 8 2
2 Switzerland 4 2 5 2
3 Ukraine 0 2 3 6
4 Italy 0 2 1 7
Pts P GF GA
1 Russia 4 2 13 3
2 Slovakia 2 2 7 2
3 Belarus 2 2 4 4
4 Kazakhstan 0 2 1 16
Pts P GF GA
1 Canada 6 3 14 5
2 USA 4 3 7 3
3 Norway 2 2 8 13
4 Denmark 0 3 6 14
No suprises so far, i guess.....
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