Ice Hockey IIHF World Championships 2017

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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

2017

 

 

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group A
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Slovakia 3 - 4GWS Denmark
Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-2, 3-0, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne

 

Green SO goal saves the day

Slovakia comeback falls just short

 

Denmark took at 3-0 lead into the final twenty minutes but Slovakia fought back to bring the game to overtime. Morten Green's shootout goal lifts Denmark.

 

Over the first two periods, Denmark established a three goal lead but things took a turn in the final frame and became a thrilling affair at LANXESS Arena. Three third period goals brought the Slovaks back to a tie game and send it to overtime then a shootout.

 

"It's a little disappointing that we gave away a 3-0 lead there, the worst thing for us was giving up an easy goal in the third period and letting them back." Juliam Jakobsen said. "But we've got two points, we're in this tournament now and we can go on from there."

 

To start, Slovakia did not help themselves with three minor penalties in the first period. Juraj Mikus was called for two of them. First, Mikus was called for holding when he took down Frederik Storm who was breaking towards the net. A minute after being released from the sin bin, Mikus was again called for holding but the Slovakia shorthanded units held their ground.

 

A third penalty was called, this time on Libor Hudacek at 15:01 for slashing. Denmark made them pay. Nichlas Hardt received a pass from Storm then scored with a shot that went high over Julius Hudacek’s glove hand shoulder with 3:40 remaining in the first period. It was Hardt’s second goal of the tournament. Morten Green also got an assist.

 

Denmark extended their lead to 2-0 at 4:46 of the second period when Mathias Bau sent a precision pass to Patrick Russell who was striding towards the net for the tap in. For Russell, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers prior to coming here, it was his first ever senior men’s goal.

 

As time wound down in the middle frame, Denmark added a third goal. They came out of their zone with a two-on-one. Oliver Lauridsen found Morten Poulsen on the far left side. He sent a pass that just eluded the Slovak defender and Poulsen redirected it home. The goal came with 2.4 remaining in the second period.

 

Oliver Lauridsen picked up assists on both goals, giving him two points in the game and doubling his previous tournament offensive numbers. In 29 World Championship games coming into tonight Lauridsen had a lone assist.

 

Slovakia looked far from sharp. Going back to their opening game, they have lacked the finish and polish of team’s they’ve iced in the past. There was little in the way of sustained offensive pressure to put the Danes back on their heels. But by the third period, Slovakia was a different team in finding their scoring touch and playing their best hockey of the tournament.

 

Slovakia got on the board very early in the third when Martin Gernat send a slap shot that goaltender Sebastien Dahm was unable to stop at 1:22.

 

Three minutes later, Mattias Lassen was called for delaying the game. Slovakia moved the puck well and with :25 second remaining on the penalty they scored again. Vladimir Dravecky sent a backhand pass to Marcel Hascak between the faceoff circles and Mario Bliznak was there to capitalize. 

 

Libor Hudacek almost tied the contest when a Gernat pass went between Danish defenseman Matias Lassen’s skates to Hudacek, who could not lift the puck over a sprawled out Dahm.

 

But when Denmark’s Nicholas Jensen was called for a high sticking double minor, Michel Miklik drew the game even 3-3 at 11:53.

 

"We had some adversity in the third period." Dahm said. "Slovakia came with a lot of mementum at then end of the game."

 

As the clock was ticking down in the final minutes, Denmark thought they regained the lead when Mikus misplayed a puck at the point and it eluded him into the neutral zone. Julian Jakobsen took possession of the puck and was in on a partial breakaway. His initial shot was stopped but he took another whack at it from the crease as a Slovak defenseman was falling into goaltender Julius Hudacek.

 

The puck crossed the line as the net was dislodged. After a video review, it was ruled that the goal was off the moorings before the puck crossed the line and ruled no goal.

 

In overtime, Slovakia had some chances and Denmark a power play in the final :27 seconds but neither team scored to send the game to a shootout.

 

In the shootout, Morten Green scored the only goal that would give Denmark its first win of the 2017 World Championships.

"We kept believing in our chances going into overtime and the old guy stepped up and put the team on his back." Dahm said of the 36-year-old Green and his shootout heroics.

 

For Denmark, it was their first win over Slovakia in seven years. Denmark last tasted victory at the 2010 World Championships, also in Germany when they won 6-0. 

 

"I think we came together more as a team and we were ready to battle all the way through the game even though they got three pretty easy goals in the third I think we knuckled down and pulled it through." Jakobsen said of the effort.

 

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group B
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Switzerland 3 - 4GWS France
Period-by-Period: 0-1, 2-0, 1-2, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

 

Group B Provisional Standing After Day 5

 

Nation	P	W(OTW)	L(OTL)	GF	GA	+/-	Pt.
Canada	3	3(0)	0(0)	17	3	+14	9
Switzerland	3	2(1)	1(1)	11	8	+3	6
Norway	3	2(0)	1(0)	8	6	+2	6
France	3	2(1)	1(0)	11	7	+4	5
Czech Republic	3	2(1)	1(0)	11	8	+3	5
Finland	3	1(0)	2(1)	7	11	-4	4
Slovenia	3	0(0)	3(1)	7	17	-10	1
Belarus	3	0(0)	3(0)	3	15	-12	0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group B
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Switzerland 3 - 4GWS France
Period-by-Period: 0-1, 2-0, 1-2, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

 

French thriller!

Da Costa scores only goal of shootout

 

France twice rallied, forced overtime, and won in a shootout on a goal by Stephane da Costa. Both goalies made crucial saves to send the game to shots.

 

The win gives France five points in Group B, one behind the Swiss. Both teams have two wins and a loss. Norway also has six points, and all teams trail Canada, with nine.

 

Da Costa had two goals for the winners while Vincent Praplan scored twice for the Swiss.

 

It was only France's fifth win all time against the Swiss in 15 meetings, and it was accomplished before an incredible crowd of 6,747 that chanted and cheered all night long.

 

"It feels great," enthused Johann Auvitu. "It’s a big two points for us. It’s very special to win against Switzerland. It’s kind of our derby, you know? We have a lot of guys playing in Switzerland, so I’m happy for them. We’ve got a positive spiral, and we’ve got to keep going on that one. We’ve got to focus on the next game already."

 

"At the end, if you score but lose, it doesn’t really matter," Praplan offered. "Sure, it feels good to score, but if you lose, it’s tough. We’ll look forward to tomorrow and hope to get three points."

 

Players picked up on the intensity, and there were more scrums after whisltes around the goalies than usual. We may be only three games into the tournament, but the French clearly have something special going on, both with their fans and with their performance.

 

The game went to OT only because of a great pad save by Cristobal Huet in the final minute, and the game went to a shootout only because Leonardo Genoni made a great save on a clear chance in front by Kevin Hecquefeuille in the OT.

 

Despite being badly outplayed and outchanced, France came out of the first period with the only goal. And it came short-handed, to boot.

 

It started with a stick manufacturer’s nightmare. Romain Loeffel was in the middle of the ice, the only man at the point, when he took a shot on goal. His stick broke, though, and Auvitu picked up the puck and went up ice on a two-on-one.

 

Auvitu opted to shoot, and Leonardo Genoni made the save. But the puck immediately hit Loeffel’s skate and rolled into the goal at 2:53.

 

"I saw the opportunity," Auvitu recounted. "Their D-man broke his stick and I just jumped up. To be honest with you, it’s a lucky goal, but I’ll take it. I’m happy for the future of the tournament."

 

The Swiss generated several chances throughout the period but had poor finish and were stymied by Huet. Pius Suter made a great deflection, but the puck rolled just wide. Thomas Rufenacht had a great chance, but Huet snapped out the glove for a fine save. Cldy Almond had a semi-breakaway but couldn’t get off a good shot.

 

The Swiss carried their fine play into the second period and were rewarded early with two quick goals from Vincent Praplan. On the first, at 1:22, Huet looked behind the net one way as Denis Hollenstein passed it in front the other way. Praplan, wide open, fired into the net to tie the game.

 

The next shift for the pair saw a similar play but in front of the goal. Again a nice Hollenstein feed behind the play gave Praplan an open net, and at 3:48 the Swiss had a lead. 

 

France tied things up early in the third with the extra man. Stephane da Costa stepped in to the top of the faceoff cirle and snapped ashot to the far side of Genoni at 3:02 making it 2-2 and leaving the game's result open once again.

 

Andres Ambuhl put the Swiss up again at 13:14 off a turnover in centre ice. He went in alone and wired a shot over the glove of Huet. 

 

France was not going to call it quits, though. Nicolas Ritz hit the post with a shot, and then at 15:41 they tied it again off a faceoff. Laurent Meunier won the draw back to Anthony Rech, and while everyone thought Rech would drop the puck to his defenceman, he turned and fired, catching Genoni by surprise and hitting the short side.

 

The Swiss play Belarus tomorrow while France has a day off to prepare for a massive tilt against Canada on Thursday night beofre what is expected to be a large crowd at AccorHotels Arena.

 

"It’s going to take the same cocktail as we used against Finland," Auvitu suggested. "We were intense. We were not scared. We didn’t respect them just because it’s a big nation. It’s a special game against Canada. It’s never the same as against the others. But we’re ready. We’re happy we’re at home, and we have the crowd with us. We’re going to have to use that advantage."

 

 

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Disciplinary Panel

 

Hager out for two

German forward suspended

The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has issued a one game suspension to German forward Patrick Hager.

 

The suspension comes as a result of a slew-footing violation committed during Germany’s game against Russia on 8 May. Hager already received a match penalty on the play and so will miss his country’s next two games.

The violation occurred at 13:24 in the 1st period. Russian forward Sergei Mozyakin skated towards the German blue line and released the puck inside the German zone shortly before Hager was approaching. Hager then puts his hand/arm in front of the Mozyakin and then placed his left leg behind his legs. He pushed Mozyakin’s upper body backwards with his arm to take the player down. Mozyakin landed heavily on the ice, hitting his head in the process, and had to be evacuated from the ice with an injury and did not return to the game.

Based on all facts ascertained, the Disciplinary Panel determined that Hager delivered what was definitively a slew-foot to his opponent, recklessly taking down the Russian player and risking a serious injury of his opponent.

Hager will be eligible to return in Germany’s game against Italy on 13 May.

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group A
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Italy 1 - 2 Latvia
Period-by-Period: 1-1, 0-0, 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 16:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group B
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Slovenia 1 - 5 Norway
Period-by-Period: 0-3, 1-1, 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 16:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

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2017

 

 

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group A
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Slovakia 3 - 4GWS Denmark
Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-2, 3-0, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

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2017

 

 

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 5

 

Group B
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Switzerland 3 - 4GWS France
Period-by-Period: 0-1, 2-0, 1-2, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1
May 9th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

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Preliminary Round

DAY 6

 

Group A
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

United States vs Italy
Period-by-Period:
May 10th 2016, h. 16:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne

 

Spoiler

 

Slovakia vs Germany
Period-by-Period:
May 10th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne

 

Spoiler

 

 

Group A
Central European Summer Time (GMT +2)

Switzerland vs Belarus
Period-by-Period:
May 10th 2016, h. 16:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

 

Spoiler

 

Finland vs Slovenia
Period-by-Period:
May 10th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

 

Spoiler

 

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POWER RANKING

As of May 9th, 2017

 

Coming off a 6-0 drubbing of Belarus, the Canadians regain top spot in our Power Rankings. Russia slips to second, while perfect Latvia leaps into third place.

 

1.		Canada:	MacKinnon's shot is sweeter than an eclair
2.		Russia:	Can you smell what the Bread Man is baking?
3.		Latvia:	Dzerins gets free pizza for life
4.		France:	For once, we’d rather talk hockey than baked goods!
5.		United States:	Nobody has more respect for Sweden than we do
6.		Sweden:	4-3 is not fake news. Sad!
7.		Czech Republic:	Speaking of 4-3, four-goal comebacks are hella fun
8.		Switzerland:	Hey, we had a good Praplan
9.		Norway:	Haugen rules: he’s outscoring Matt Duchene
10.		Finland:	Lauri, let’s talk about your childhood
11.		Germany:	LANXESS arena is Anxious arena
12.		Denmark:	Hans Christian Andersen’s The PK Has No Clothes
13.		Slovakia:	Honey? Are you still wearing that old “Big Seven” shirt?
14.		Italy:	Heck, Bertuzzi is only 42...
15.		Belarus:	Old Belarusian proverb: “Losing 6-0 stinks”
16.		Slovenia:	We should be kicking ourselves

 

 

Previous Editions

May 5th

May 7th

 

*The Power Rankings are for the enjoyment of IIHF.com readers, and reflect the progress of teams during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. They are distinct from the official standings and IIHF World Ranking.