Ice Hockey 2016 - 2017 Discussion Thread

[hckošice 14,833]

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2016/2017

 

  RUSSIA

CSKA Moscow

3rd Title (KHL Regular Season)

35th Title (Counting ex-Soviet era)

 

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Third time lucky for CSKA?

The KHL is gearing up for the playoffs

Metallurg Magnitogorsk captain Sergei Mozyakin (right) was chasing records in the KHL this season while CSKA Moscow (left: Greg Scott) won the regular season.

 

CSKA tops the table again, Vityaz and Kunlun make history and Sergei Mozyakin keeps smashing records in Magnitogorsk. The KHL’s regular season was never short of stories and the playoffs promise even more.

Tight at the top

The race to win the KHL’s regular season title – now renamed in honour of coaching legend Viktor Tikhonov – could hardly have been closer. Russia’s two Army Clubs, CSKA Moscow and SKA St. Petersburg, were out in front all season but were almost inseparable at the top of the table.

Coming into the final week, both teams had three games left. SKA was three points clear, but CSKA had more regulation-time wins... an advantage that proved crucial. CSKA powered through the final week without dropping a point thanks to victories over HC Sochi, Torpedo and a crushing 6-1 win over Spartak to wrap it all up. SKA, surprisingly, slipped to a 2-4 home loss against Spartak, meaning the rivals finished level on points and CSKA got the verdict.

It’s the third season in a row that the Moscow team has topped the regular season table, and Dmitri Kvartalnov will be hoping that it’s third time lucky in the quest for the Gagarin Cup. In 2015, CSKA lost out to SKA in the Western Conference final, last season ended in a grand final defeat at the hands of Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Will 2017 bring Russia’s biggest prize to the Army Men at last?

Playoff debuts

Two clubs will make their first KHL playoff appearances this week – but their paths to post-season have been very different. China-based Kunlun Red Star only came into existence over the summer, and completed a successful debut season by coming eighth in the Eastern Conference and advancing straight to the playoffs. For more about pro hockey in Beijing check out tomorrow’s feature on IIHF.com.

But the other playoff newcomer, Vityaz, has been in the KHL since it all began in 2008/09. Eight times the Moscow Region team failed to finish in a playoff place, and along the way it attracted criticism for an over-reliance on enforcers who racked up the penalty minutes but contributed few points. Notoriously, its game at Avangard in January 2010 had to be abandoned after a bench-clearing brawl in the opening minutes.

The arrival of Valeri Belov, Zinetula Bilyaletdinov’s right-hand man at Ak Bars for many years, changed all that. Belov was part of the Vityaz team that played in the Russian Superliga playoffs, and set about changing the club’s identity. Led by a revitalized Maxim Afinogenov, whose 47 points this season represent his most productive KHL campaign at the age of 37, the team has impressed with its hockey. Key summer signings included experienced former Sibir captain Alexei Kopeikin, two-way Czech D-man Jakub Jerabek and promising Finnish centre Miro Aaltonen, a trio that contributed 129 points between them.

Vityaz starts its playoff push against Oleg Znarok’s SKA; Russia’s national team head coach might have cause to remember the sensation he caused in 2010 with another Moscow Region team, MVD, which he took from nowhere to the Gagarin Cup final.

Mozyakin closes on his millennium

The season’s scoring race was all about Sergei Mozyakin, who seemed to set records a-tumble almost every week. The Metallurg Magnitogorsk man was not content with beating Boris Mikhailov’s all-time Russian scoring record of 428 goals. He went on to set new KHL marks for goals and points harvested in a singular regular season as he racked up 48 goals and 85 points. That beat Steve Moses’ 36-goal return for Jokerit in 2015 and Alexander Radulov’s 80-point season with Salavat Yulayev’s 2011 champion roster. As the playoffs begin, Mozyakin is on 999 points, one short of becoming the first man ever to score 1,000 points in top level Russian or Soviet hockey.

The other scoring feats belonged to SKA, though. Mozyakin’s four closest rivals in the scoring race all play in Petersburg. Ilya Kovalchuk was back to his best after last season’s loss of form, and posted 78 points, Vadim Shipachyov had 76 despite missing 10 games. Nikita Gusev (71) and Yevgeni Dadonov (68) also made the top five in the scoring charts. It all added up to two team records for SKA – a total tally of 249 goals was the best ever for the KHL, while the goal differential of +135 also broke new ground.

While Russian forwards dominated the scoring, Nigel Dawes, the Canadian-born Kazakh international at Barys, became the highest-scoring foreign player in KHL history. His 36-goal haul took him to 175 goals in the competition, ahead of team-mate Brandon Bochenski’s 160.

Another ‘Green derby’ awaits

One of the KHL’s biggest rivalries is set for another edition in the opening round of the playoffs as Ak Bars and Salavat Yulayev face off once again. But for Igor Zakharkin’s team in Ufa, making post season proved more stressful than usual.

Salavat had never previously missed out on the KHL playoffs but came into the last week of the regular season knowing that even victories in its two remaining games might not be enough if other results went against it. In the event, the stuttering form of its rivals, coupled with wins over Ak Bars and Lada, took the team to sixth and eased the pain of a nine-game losing streak that placed the team in trouble.

Now the stage is set for an intriguing showdown between two of Russia’s brightest young talents. Ak Bars’ Vladimir Tkachyov has broken onto the international scene this season and earned his first All-Star call-up, while Salavat’s Kirill Kaprizov monstered the World Juniors and slotted effortlessly into a club roster that boasts the offensive talents of Linus Omark and Teemu Hartikainen. With his Nordic colleagues struggling for fitness, Kaprizov carries the weight of expectation for his team in the playoffs, while Ak Bars looks to avenge its game seven defeat in Ufa at this stage last season.

Playoff schedule

The KHL playoffs start on Tuesday in the Western Conference and Wednesday in the East. Each series will be a best-of-seven affair. The playoffs culminate with the Gagarin Cup final, which is scheduled to start on Friday, 7 April.

The first-round match-ups are:

Western Conference –

(1) CSKA Moscow vs (8) Jokerit Helsinki;

(2) SKA St. Petersburg vs (7) Vityaz Moscow Region;

(3) Dynamo Moscow vs (6) Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod;

(4) Lokomotiv Yaroslavl vs (5) Dynamo Minsk.

Eastern Conference –

(1) Metallurg Magnitogorsk vs (8) Kunlun Red Star;

(2) Avangard Omsk vs (7) Admiral Vladivostok;

(3) Ak Bars Kazan vs (6) Salavat Yulayev Ufa;

(4) Traktor Chelyabinsk vs (5) Barys Astana.
 

 

[hckošice 14,833]

After Frolunda (Champions League Winner) and Nottingham Panthers (Continental Cup Winner) we already know another 4 already qualified teams for the next seasons Champions Legue. SC Bern and Zurich SC Lions and Red Bull Salzburg and Viena Capitals gained already their tickets yesterday.

 

 

In Austria has finished the regular season of the EBEL league and the first 2 teams after RS earns tickets for CHL - so this time Salzburg and Viena.

 

In Germany the Regular season isn´t over yet but no one can overpass anymore the first 2 teams Bern and Zurich thus both are already qualified.

 

 

Just to remember next season the CHL will have 32 clubs, 5 teams from one of them Frolunda (aka Last season Winner) and , 4 teams from and , 3 clubs from and 1 place is assured also for the champions of and + Continental Cup Winner Nottingham.

 

Who will receive the remaining 2 places aren´t determined yet

 

[hckošice 14,833]

22nd February,  such a memorable historic day..

 

So many things happened in this day, not only in 1980 the miracle on ice happened with the USA defeating ex-USSR in Lake Placid WOG final game, but one year later in 1981 happened also this thing  (First video of the article) !!!!

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/this-date-in-nhl-history-feb-22-stastnys/c-286962184?tid=279684992

[hckošice 14,833]

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT

at

ASIAN WINTER GAMES

2017

 

 

 

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Japan’s women claim gold

Beat China 6-1 in Asian Winter Games decider

 

Japan's march to the gold medal at the Asian Winter Games culminated with a solid 6-1 victory over China in the final on Friday night at Tsukisamu Gymnasium. China had to settle for the silver medals, Kazakhstan won bronze.

Despite the triumph, Japan coach Takeshi Yamanaka still wants to see more from his team that earlier this month earned qualification to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

“Our defence was very good in the tournament, but the offence needs to progress some more,” Yamanaka stated after watching his side surrender just one goal in five games.

Japan scored lopsided wins over Hong Kong (46-0) and Thailand (37-0), and notched shutout decisions over Kazakhstan (6-0) and Korea (3-0) in the six-team women’s ice hockey tournament.

Japan's next event will be at the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A in Graz, Austria, in April where the team aims at promotion back to the top division of the Women’s Worlds.

Yamanaka says he is not set on his current roster as the team he will take to the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018.

“I want to see some more players in competition before deciding on the roster,” Yamanaka commented, while adding that team will likely be set in late November or December.

Yamanaka, though happy his team captured the gold on home ice, explained why he was not totally satisfied with these results.

“As the top team there should be a bigger gap (in points) between us and the others,” he said. “We kept our opponents' point totals to less than 10 in Europe as well.”

Japan's high-powered attack blitzed China in the opening period for five goals and never looked back on Saturday.

Star forward Hanae Kubo had two goals for Japan in the win. Naho Terashima, Yurie Adachi, Aina Takeuchi and Rui Ukita also scored in the triumph in front of 1,807 fans.

China came into the contest with a 3-1 record. China beat Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Thailand, but lost to Korea in a shootout.

Fang Xin scored the lone goal against Japan in the tournament on a slap shot in the second period.

Kazakhstan with a 3-2 record took home the bronze medal in the competition after an 8-0 rout of Thailand earlier on Saturday. The Kazakhs earlier edged fourth-ranked Korea 1-0 to move to a medal spot.

China coach Richard Seeley paid tribute to Japan following the final.

“They're a hard-working, well-conditioned team that plays together,” Seeley said. “It is clear that they were in better condition. This was a good experience for our girls. They can see that to play five games in seven days you have to be in better shape.”

Seeley believes Japan has a real chance at making the podium next year in Korea.

“The U.S. and Canada are the favourites for the gold and silver in PyeongChang, but I think Japan has a chance to get the bronze medal there,” Seeley commented. “The gap is closing now.”

Japan defender Akane Hosoyamada felt she and her teammates did a good job of protecting their net the past week.

“I got a lot of chances in the tournament, but could only put a few in the net,” said Hosoyamada. “We were able to keep the puck in the offensive end most of the time (during the tournament). We have had like three total shots on our net in the last four games, so I thought that was good for us, blocking shots and all that stuff.”

Hosoyamada thinks the vibe in the Japan team is good coming off their victory in the qualifying tournament for PyeongChang earlier this month and win here.

“We were coming out of the qualifiers and have been together for a month and a half now,” she pointed out. “We're basically family and like being around each other. All around it was a positive turnout.”

Kubo said Japan set the tone early in the final and smoothed the past to victory.

“We scored a lot of goals in the first period tonight, so we were able to set our own pace for the rest of the game,” Kubo stated.

Kubo admitted it was challenging to focus after coming out of the qualifying tournament in Tomakomai earlier this month.

“It was kind of hard to stay motivated with this coming right after the Olympic Qualification, but because we received a lot of support from the fans, we pushed hard to win for the country,” Kubo said.

“Our whole team believes we are at the level of possibly winning a medal in PyeongChang,” noted Kubo. “So we are aiming for that target and doing our best.”

 

 

Results Thread

 

[hckošice 14,833]

MEN'S TOURNAMENT

at

ASIAN WINTER GAMES

2017

 

 

 

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Kazakhs sweep Asian Games

Men’s team wins gold after blanking Japan

 

Kazakhstan captured the gold medal in the men's top division at the 2017 Asian Winter Games with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Japan on Sunday afternoon at Tsukisamu Gymnasium.

Yaroslav Yevdokimov and Ilya Kovzalov had two goals each in the win for Kazakhstan, with Konstantin Savenkov, Kirill Savitski and Madiyar Ibraibekov also scoring.

Japan struggled against their bigger and faster opponents, who dominated puck possession for the majority of the contest, and outshot the hosts 41-12.

“This game was very important. We got off to a very good start,” Kazakhstan coach Sergei Starygin commented. “We have a young team here, but we will have the official national team at the World Championship [Division I Group A] in April.”

Despite the scoreline, Starygin indicated the triumph was hard-earned.

“Japan has a strong team, so we prepared well for this,” Starygin said. “It was not an easy game for us.”

Kazakhstan came into the final with a 2-0 record, having defeated Korea (4-0) and China (8-0) in the four-team tournament for a total 19-0 goal record in three games.

Japan was 1-1 with a victory over China (14-0) and a loss to Korea (4-1). Japan needed to beat Kazakhstan by four goals to win the gold medal.

Korea, which beat China 10-0 earlier on Sunday, claimed the silver medal with six points, with Japan (three points) settling for the bronze. The final ranking does represented the hierarchy of the four Asian countries in last year’s World Championship program.

“We played well today and had some good moments,” said Kazakhstan captain Savenkov. “I promise that this will be only the start of the goals for my career because I am very young.”

Starygin told his players beforehand to retain their poise and stay with their game plan.

“We wanted to play the right way and not have any distractions like fighting,” Savenkov stated. “We knew we had better speed and skills than them.”

Kazakhstan wasted little time getting on the board Sunday, with Yevdokimov beating Japan goalie Yutaka Fukufuji from close in on the right side just 31 seconds into the first period.

“It was a very emotional game and an important result for us,” said Yevdokimov. “We had good speed and moved well. It was important that we had a good start in the first period. We felt confident after that.”

While Kazakh KHL team Barys Astana is busy in the playoffs, the players like Savenkov and Yevdokimov were recruited from the Kazakh league.

The Kazakhs tallied again less than two minutes later when Kovzalov scored. The margin went to 3-0 at 15:14 of the period when Savitski flipped a shot past Fukufuji from close range.

Ibraibekov made it 4-0 when he ripped a blast from the slot at 7:16 following a pair of nice passes from Maxim Volkov and Ilgiz Nuriev, who were both credited with assists on the play.

Japan pulled Fukufuji for Takuto Onoda with 6:48 remaining in the first period, but the damage had been done.

Kazakhstan scored on a power play at 10:21 of the second period when Yevdokimov punched a rebound of his own shot past Onoda. The advantage ballooned to 6-0 with just over four minutes remaining in the frame when Savenkov fired in a slap shot from the point.

Kazakhstan closed out the scoring with 1:27 left in the final period on a goal by Kovzalov.

Japan coach Takahito Suzuki bemoaned how his team was put in an early hole by the Kazakhs.

“We didn't play very well in front of our own goal today in the first period and that was key,” noted Suzuki. “We need to improve our one-on-one game moving forward.”

Suzuki acknowledged that the Kazakhstan players utilized some of their strong points in the tournament.

“They have good skills and big bodies and have improved in the past few years,” Suzuki said. “We lost (4-1) to Kazakhstan in the final of the last Asian Winter Games in 2011 in a closer match.”

Thailand won the Division I tournament with four regular-time victories and an overtime win for 14 points, with Chinese Taipei taking second on 12 points, and the United Arab Emirates (9 points) coming in third.

Turkmenistan prevailed in the Division II competition, defeating Kyrgyzstan 7-3 in Sunday's final. The Philippines, who like Turkmenistan gave their international debut, routed Macau 9-2 in the third-place game.

 

 

Results Thread

 

 

[hckošice 14,833]

Vladimir Petrov passes away

IIHF Hall of Fame member, Soviet legend was 69

Vladimir Petrov was centring the legendary line with Boris Mikhailov (left) and Valeri Kharlamov (right) that dominated international hockey between 1969 and 1981.

 

Hockey legend Vladimir Petrov passed away on Tuesday at the age of 69. According to media reports he died of cancer at hospital at 4am.

Petrov won two Olympic gold medals and was a nine-time world champion. He was named to four all-star teams, leading the tournament in scoring three times. He was centring the famous line with Boris Mikhailov and Valeri Kharlamov on the Soviet national team and with their club, army team CSKA Moscow.

With CSKA he won 11 Soviet championships, earned four scoring titles. He scored 51 goals during the 1969/70 season in just 44 games.

The Krasnogorsk-born player was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in2006.

After retiring as a player in 1983 he had some coaching stints and was the President of the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia from 1992 to 1994 and later worked as club manager for Spartak Moscow, CSKA Moscow and SKA St. Petersburg.

The funeral will be held on 2 March at the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery in Mytishi in the Moscow region.

 

[hckošice 14,833]

On 22. 2. 2017 at 06:59, hckosice said:

After Frolunda (Champions League Winner) and Nottingham Panthers (Continental Cup Winner) we already know another 4 already qualified teams for the next seasons Champions Legue. SC Bern and Zurich SC Lions and Red Bull Salzburg and Viena Capitals gained already their tickets yesterday.

 

 

In Austria has finished the regular season of the EBEL league and the first 2 teams after RS earns tickets for CHL - so this time Salzburg and Viena.

 

In Germany the Regular season isn´t over yet but no one can overpass anymore the first 2 teams Bern and Zurich thus both are already qualified.

 

 

Just to remember next season the CHL will have 32 clubs, 5 teams from one of them Frolunda (aka Last season Winner) and , 4 teams from and , 3 clubs from and 1 place is assured also for the champions of and + Continental Cup Winner Nottingham.

 

Who will receive the remaining 2 places aren´t determined yet

 

 

 

Another 4 clubs from and are officially qualified,

after yesterdays 51st round of the Czech Extraliga. Only 1 round of the regular season remaining, it´s now certain that Bílí Tygři Liberec and HC oceláři Třinec will enter the play-offs from the first 2 positions, this also means they are officially the 9th and 10th qualified teams for next seasons Champions league. 

 

the 7th and 8th became during the last days also top 2 teams of Regular season of the German league - Adler Mannheim and EHC Red Bull Munich.

 

very close of qualification is also Tappare Tampere in the Finland regular season, they need now just 1 point from the remaining matches to be officially qualified.

[hckošice 14,833]

another jewel from Richard Pánik last night, what a move against Evgeny Malkin this guy has really his best ever season this year..already 17 + 17 this year so far

 

[hckošice 14,833]

Tappara Tampere became the 11th qualified club for next seasons Champions League. Even if the Finlands regular season will end only the 13th March, no one can catch Tappara anymore in the top of the table.

 

LIST OF ALREADY QUALIFIED CLUBS

Frölunda Indians (SWE), Nottingham Panthers (GBR), SC Bern (SUI), Zürich SC Lions (SUI), EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Vienna Capitals (AUT), Adler Mannheim (GER), EHC Red Bull Munich (GER), Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZE), HC Oceláři Třinec (CZE), Tappara Tampere (FIN)

 

32 clubs will play Champions League 2017/18

5 from Sweden and Finland, 4 from Switzerland and Czech Republic, 3 from Germany and Austria, 1 from Slovakia, Norway, Belarus, France and Denmark. 1 for Continenta Cup Winner (Nottingham).

Last 2 spots aren´t determined yet, but most likely will be offered to the KHL Russian teams.

[Finnator123 292]

4 hours ago, hckosice said:

Tappara Tampere became the 11th qualified club for next seasons Champions League. Even if the Finlands regular season will end only the 13th March, no one can catch Tappara anymore in the top of the table.

 

LIST OF ALREADY QUALIFIED CLUBS

Frölunda Indians (SWE), Nottingham Panthers (GBR), SC Bern (SUI), Zürich SC Lions (SUI), EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Vienna Capitals (AUT), Adler Mannheim (GER), EHC Red Bull Munich (GER), Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZE), HC Oceláři Třinec (CZE), Tappara Tampere (FIN)

 

32 clubs will play Champions League 2017/18

5 from Sweden and Finland, 4 from Switzerland and Czech Republic, 3 from Germany and Austria, 1 from Slovakia, Norway, Belarus, France and Denmark. 1 for Continenta Cup Winner (Nottingham).

Last 2 spots aren´t determined yet, but most likely will be offered to the KHL Russian teams.

KHL ??? Are you serious?