Ice Hockey 2015 - 2016 Discussion Thread

hckošice · May 10, 2016

Kazakhstan - Norway 2-4

hckošice · May 10, 2016

Norway wins key game

1st ever WM meeting with Kazakhstan

Norway's Ken Andre Olimb #40 and Mats Rosseli Olsen #51 celebrate after a second period goal by Mathis Olimb #46 (not shown) while Kazakhstan's Vadim Kransnoslobodtsev #62 looks on during preliminary round action at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

Mathis Olimb's goal with 1:43 left in the second period broke a 2-2 tie and carried Norway to a 4-2 win over Kazakhstan.

The win gives Norway five points and moves the team into a tie for third place with Sweden in a crowded Group A standings. The Kazakhs remain stalled at two points in last place with Latvia.

Defenceman Jonas Holos was a rock for the winners. He logged 31:07 of ice time, was a +3, earned an assist, and took five of his team's 43 shots.

Ken Andre Olimb (Norway) and Nigel Dawes (Kazakhstan) each had a goal and assist for their respective teams.

Johannes Johanneson gave Norway the early lead when his point shot went all the way past a screened Kolesnik at 3:24. The goalie made a huge left-pad save off Andreas Martinsen just a short time later.

The Kazakhs tied the score on a nice play between the two Canadians. Dustin Boyd took the puck down the left side as Nigel Dawes headed to the slot, stick on the ice. Boyd saucered a nice pass to his compatriot, and Dawes snapped a one-timer through the five-hole of Lars Haugen at 7:00.

A tame start to the second period gave way to end-to-end action and three goals. The Norwegians took advantage of a lost stick by defenceman Vyacheslav Tryasunov. A point shot from Mattias Norstebo hit a cluster of bodies in front, and the puck fell to Ken Andre Olimb, who snapped aquick shot over Kolesnik’s glove at 13:04.

Oddly, the Kazakhs scored a similar goal to tie the game. Mats Rosseli Olsen lost his stick during a penalty kill and Brandon Bochenski fired a shot to the far side at 15:47 to make it 2-2.

This was the moment when Kazkhstan played its best. After the tying goal the team had relentless pressure in the Norway end for about two minutes, but try as they might, they couldn't get the go-ahead goal.

And so it was that Norway took its third lead of the night when Mathis Olimb brought the puck to the net and outwaited everyone before snapping a shot to the back side at 18:17.

Mats Zuccarello scored into an empty net with 2:23 remaining to ensure victory.

Kazakhstan is right back at it tomorrow, playing Sweden in the evening game. Norway gets a day off before an afternoon game with the Czechs on Thursday.

hckošice · May 10, 2016

Hungary - France 2-6

hckošice · May 10, 2016

Hungary still searching for win

First period goals carry France to victory

France's Damien Fleury #9 celebrates after Team France scores their second goal of the game on Hungary's Miklos Rajna #31 with Csanad Erdely #36 and Jesse Dudas #52 looking on during preliminary round action at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey Championship.

Despite a strong start to the game, Hungary gave up three first period goals that propelled France to a 6-2 win.

Two goals by Sacha Treille and a late first period power play goal gave France its second win in three tries in the Preliminary Round of the 2016 World Championships.

Hungary came out with a sense of purpose and enjoyed a dominant first two minutes of the game. Csanas Erdely had a clear look at the net between the faceoff circles but Jordann Perret blocked his shot. Then, off a draw that was won by France, Bence Stipsicz took a shot that hit the crossbar.

After weathering the initial storm, France scored its first goal when Nicolas Ritz tipped in a Yohann Auvitu point shot at 9:14. Maxime Moisand also assisted over the goal.

Hungary showed a never-say-die attitude in responding to being down. Morton Vas scored to level the game. It was a power play goal that came with Florian Chakiachvili serving a penalty for high sticking. Gergo Nagy sent a shot on goal that Cristobal Huet saved but a big rebound was there for Vas to capitalize.

With five minutes left in the first, Andras Benk had a chance but could not connect. Daniel Koger took a nice stretch pass into the French zone and got off a backhand shot despite Teddy da Costa backchecking. Up to that point, Hungary was playing its best period of hockey in this tournament.

Even with all their hard work, Hungary lost the opportunity to take the lead for good when France scored goals over the final two and a half minutes of the period.

France regained the lead with 2:32 left in the first when Sacha Trielle scored. A third was added when Damien Fleury scored with Janos Vas in the penalty box for slashing. Fleury skated in on an extremely sharp angle to starting goaltender Miklos Rajna’s right. Without a true angle to shoot, Fleury put in front of the net and it deflected off Kevin Wehr’s skate and in the net.

After a second period that saw very few scoring chances, France added a fourth goal when Chakiachvili scored at 18:03.

Once again Hungarian fans were in full force chanting for their team. Just prior to the game, these very fans were around the concession areas clapping and singing. Hungarians here at Yubileiny Arena are proud, energized fans who despite the result on ice, won’t quit on their team.

Istvan Sofron cut the lead in half when he tipped in a wrist shot from Morton Vas at 7:58. Istvan Bartalis also assisted on the play. Bartalis is leading his team in tournament scoring with three points.

On the evening Morton Vas had a hand in both of Hungary's goals, scoring one and assisting on the other.

France needed to kill a five-on-three penalty at 16:11 when Ritz was called for kneeing and Valentin Claireaux lost his cool and was called for cross checking after the whistle. Upon killing it off, Sacha Treille added a second goal on the evening.

Hungary next faces Finland on Wednesday and France goes up against the United States on Thursday.