WC: May 2 GDT - Slovakia vs. Russia

Match: Slovakia vs. Russia

Official Website: http://www.ihwc.net/english/
Online Statistics & Rosters: http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments_05/output/ws/hydra.iihf.com/IIHF_Core/jsp/content/web_output/index.jsp@compId=1000000009

In the first game Slovakia had several individualistic surges toward the net get turned aside (Zednik, Palffy) and a passing line florish (Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa). The team showed some cohesiveness in the third period.

In their first game Russia had many ineffective puck-hogging surges (Yashin, Kovalchuk, Afinogenov, Ovechkin) and some moments of good passing and team play (Malkin, Kovalev, Datsyuk). The players never quite put it together and even the powerplay didn't show a unified formation of passing to and fro the point.

Litmus test time: Which group of players will put it together and gel as a team?

It'll be the game of the day, IMO.

Prediction: 3-3

After their poor game against Austria, the best that could happen to Russia is to get their *** kicked before it's too late. I expect Slovakia to put a less impressive defensive effort than Austria, but they'll be much more effective on offense.

4-2 Slovakia

Go Russia but you better lose cuz I won't be able to watch the 1A - 1D game on Saturday because I'm going to a party! So I'd rather we finished 2nd! :lol:

Go Russia but you better lose cuz I won't be able to watch the 1A - 1D game on Saturday because I'm going to a party! So I'd rather we finished 2nd! :lol:

Who cares about your party?! I have a ticket for that game and they better win today!!! Go Russia, GO! :jump:

i'll go 4:3 slovakia :yo:
shots: 31:25 russia

I just hope the special teams will be up to the task. That's the key for this game!
And offcourse, no more stupidities by Sokolov like against Austria :banghead:

Prediction: 4-2, Slovakia

I won't be surprised if Slovakia wins this one today.

Who cares about your party?! I have a ticket for that game and they better win today!!! Go Russia, GO! :jump:

I do! There's one girl at the party, I've been in love with her for like 8 years, and I'm gonna see her for the first time in 4 years! I can't wait! :D

Anyway, I think it's obvious that the Russians are better that the Slovaks, but is this Russian team capable of beating Slovakia today?

Anyway, I think it's obvious that the Russians are better that the Slovaks,...
Maybe it's clear to Russians.

But there's no equivalent to a Zdeno Chara on the blueline, no line as cohesive as Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa, though there are more Palffy-type rockets on the Russian team.

...but is this Russian team capable of beating Slovakia today?
That's the question. Either team could win the tourney or just as likely go home before the medal round.

It all depends if they can pass, battle along the boards, set up down low, move pucks to and from the point, get screens and rebounds, in effect... all the things the puck hogs didn't do in the first game (I'm talking about Kovalchuk, Zednik, Afinogenov, Palffy, Yashin).

I'm really looking forward to this game as a neutral Canadian only interested in seeing good hockey, team play and many, many talented NHLers giving it their all during the drought which is the lockout.

Game on. (soon)

I do! There's one girl at the party, I've been in love with her for like 8 years, and I'm gonna see her for the first time in 4 years! I can't wait! :D

Good luck! ;)

Maybe it's clear to Russians.

But there's no equivalent to a Zdeno Chara on the blueline, no line as cohesive as Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa, though there are more Palffy-type rockets on the Russian team.


That's the question. Either team could win the tourney or just as likely go home before the medal round.

It all depends if they can pass, battle along the boards, set up down low, move pucks to and from the point, get screens and rebounds, in effect... all the things the puck hogs didn't do in the first game (I'm talking about Kovalchuk, Zednik, Afinogenov, Palffy, Yashin).

I'm really looking forward to this game as a neutral Canadian only interested in seeing good hockey, team play and many, many talented NHLers giving it their all during the drought which is the lockout.

Game on. (soon)

I tought the Canadians are not showing the game. :dunno: Are they?

I tought the Canadians are not showing the game. :dunno: Are they?
Not in Canada, no.

I'm a Canadian teaching English in South Korea. :) Thanks mediazone !

Good luck! ;)

Thanks! I'll need some!

Go RUSSIA! :handclap: :yo:

oh my god, kovalchuk and fedorov switched lines!

Kovalchuk with Yashin and Kozlov. Fedorov with Nepryaev and Antipov - looks like checking line.

Wow!!! What a save by Sokolov. El Magnifico

How bad is Semin´s injury?

Afingenov went 1-on-1 after Ovechkin pass. Visnovsky handled Afinogenov. Good game so far.

another big save by Sokolov. Russia will need him to play good in this tournament.

My prediction:

Slovakia - Russia 6-1.

Russian defense will falter and Sokolov will let in a couple of softies.

Good attack by Russia. Viktor Kozlov looks very good. Lasak saved.

Now, It's our turn to attack.

Penalty. Ovechkin for holding.

Kalinin is turnover machine :( :(

Lasak with back to back saves on Afinogenov. Still 0-0

Ovechkin beat defenceman but failed to shot. Very dangerous still.

PP for Slovakia. 2 PIM for Markov for holding.

0:1. Gusev forgot about Palfy on far post.

Ovechkin beat defenceman but failed to shot. Very dangerous still.

not just any defenceman...Zdeno Chara :handclap:

i hope this goal forces the russians to open up their game ... cuz they're really boring to watch, the Ds are not helping the offense at all ... like in Dynamo

PP for Slovakia. 2 PIM for Markov for holding.

0:1. Gusev forgot about Palfy on far post.
How do you forget about Palffy? :amazed:

Ovechkin again and again he can't score ...
We start to play more physical.

the Ds are not helping the offense at all

That´s because there is no offensive skill in this Russian defense. It´s hard to play offensive game when you have no talent at all.

How do you forget about Palffy? :amazed:
As you forget about Hejduk every PP ;) Ninja ;)

The kid-line really really wants to score...:snide:

As you forget about Hejduk every PP ;) Ninja ;)
that flew right over my head :confused:

That´s because there is no offensive skill in this Russian defense. It´s hard to play offensive game when you have no talent at all.

No man, that's because they're playing like Dynamo Moscow. Always protecting themselves from odd man rushes.

"I think he wears sunglasses when its raining outside" -- the commentator referring to Ovechkin's visor :biglaugh:

Marian Hossa on PP from Stumpel

2-0

Nepriayev from Antipov

2-1

Marian Hossa on PP from Stumpel

2-0

It looks like Russia has yet another sucky team this year. I think Russia´s goal should be to improve last year´s 10th place finish. Medal seems unrealistic for this year. Gold medal is pure utopia.

Ovechkin. Beat 2 D-men than shot that hit 2 Slovaks.

what a play by ovechkin

How much time left in the second?

How much time left in the second?
9 mins

Very impressive shift by Ovechkin, Russia on PP

Seems like Russia is picking it up

"I think he wears sunglasses when its raining outside" -- the commentator referring to Ovechkin's visor :biglaugh:

Hey, I wear sunglasses all the time, some people just need to. Ovechkin looks good with that visor.

Hey, I wear sunglasses all the time, some people just need to. Ovechkin looks good with that visor.
I think it looks pretty cool myself.

I do! There's one girl at the party, I've been in love with her for like 8 years, and I'm gonna see her for the first time in 4 years! I can't wait! :D

Good Luck Will, I hope you score!!!! :)

2-2

Good Luck Will, I hope you score!!!! :)
Wilka is this a Russian lady you are hooking up with?

Andrei Markov on the PP

2-2

Russia scores 5 vs 3, Markov 2-2 and Russia is still on PP 5 vs 4

Just when I downplayed this Russian team they scored 2 quick goals. So I will continue: Russia sucks!

who scored for Russia? :dunno:

Nevermind. My computer is slow

Just when I downplayed this Russian team they scored 2 quick goals. So I will continue: Russia sucks!
Be a man, play harder more harder :D

Datsyuk had several good opportunities on PP

Good Luck Will, I hope you score!!!! :)

thanks ;)

who scored for Russia? :dunno:

Markov

haha the swedish commentator just commented Ovechkins visor too:

"His future is so bright, that he gotta wear sunglasses"

:biglaugh:

Mess

Why Slovaks fights in head from behind and holds hairs?

i believe chara and fedorov are talking about sergei's suspension 5 years ago :lol:

fedorov argues with chara constantly -- I would assume that wouldnt be one of fedor's highlights in his career if he started that fight

Why Slovaks fights in head from behind and holds hairs?
They think that they are on Woman WC.

Anyone ejected?

PP for Slovakia

haha the swedish commentator just commented Ovechkins visor too:

"His future is so bright, that he gotta wear sunglasses"

:biglaugh:

LOL :biglaugh:

why is there a PP for the slovaks?

5 vs 3 PP for Slovakia

Damn Henriksson!

Russia is pushing

How much time left for the penalties?

oh my gosh those slovaks looked lost out there

So did Russia kill the 5-3 SH situation?

Datsyuk goes soccer player :biglaugh:

After 2 periods russia is absolutely a better team. Better skating, much more skill, but slovaks are very dangerous on the counterattacks. I think that killing 5 on 3 will be the momentum. Russia will push in the 3rd and win!

Go, GO!!!!!

haha the swedish commentator just commented Ovechkins visor too:

"His future is so bright, that he gotta wear sunglasses"

:biglaugh:

hehe....the german commentator compared it to robocop :D

After 2 periods russia is absolutely a better team. Better skating, much more skill, but slovaks are very dangerous on the counterattacks. I think that killing 5 on 3 will be the momentum. Russia will push in the 3rd and win!

Go, GO!!!!!

Momentum was when Nepryaev scored. Slovaks look a lot more organized but Russia is starting putting all together.

So did Russia kill the 5-3 SH situation?

Yes and Datsyuk's stick was broken during 5 vs 3 so we can say it was 5 vs 2.5 and Dats just pushed the puck from his zone by his feet. And then in the end of period Russia gave good preasure.

So is it 3 -2 Slovakia?

So is it 3 -2 Slovkia?
No 2-2.

whats the update???

how much time left??
whats going on?

3rd period Russia started fast, but penalty for Russia because of too many players and Slovakia scores.

Yet another penalty for Russia. It´s no surprise that Russia has much more penalties because Henriksson is the referee of this game. This guy does not like Russia. He shouldn´t be allowed to judge Russia´s games.

damn russia losing now??

gd!

Did Slovakia score?

How's Zednik looking, for those watching the game? Dangerous, or a non factor?

did you guys see the attack from Chara on Markov infront of the net? crosschecking to the neck. Shouldn't that be like a suspension or something? not even 2 mins :shakehead

Slovakia scores only on PP

did you guys see the attack from Chara on Markov infront of the net? crosschecking to the neck. Shouldn't that be like a suspension or something? not even 2 mins :shakehead

Finnish Henriksson is the referee of this game. He has some bias against Russia and it always shows when he judges Russia´s games.

It´s no surprise Russia has 14 PIM´s and Slovakia only 8.

Russia is pushing, Kharitonov hits the post, Finnish referee lets wrestling.

how much time left now?

how is sokolov?
was it a weak goal??

how much time left now?

how is sokolov?
was it a weak goal??

15 minutes left.
it was a PP goal with people infront of the net.
Sokolov is fine imo.

Commentator named Slovaks as "Сволочи" :D

PP for Russia, Gaborik with penalty.

how is kovalchuk playing???

Ovechkin shoots and Afinogenov can't score in empty net after the puck deflected from Lasak.

Finnish Henriksson is the referee of this game. He has some bias against Russia and it always shows when he judges Russia´s games.

It´s no surprise Russia has 14 PIM´s and Slovakia only 8.

Bollocks!

Don't you have some feminst bashing to do at the Jatkoaika boards?

how is kovalchuk playing???

Bad on PP and invisible overall.

Linesman and Slovak D stopped Ovechkin by their bodies. Ove looks good and should play more.

Kharitonov falls a lot in the game, his speed is good and skating is bad. Slovaks look tired a bit and gave initiative to Russia.

gooaaaaaaaal

Russia scores. Kozlov. Russia deserved the goal because Slovaks didn't create much in 3rd period.

Is score still 3 -2? How much time now?

Is score still 3 -2? How much time now?

its 3-3 and < 2 min left

Who scored the goal? 3 -3 ?

Commentator named Slovaks as "Сволочи" :D

That was not clever at all ;)

Great play by Ovechkin and his pass to Malkin but Lasak saves. Slovaks look shakey.

Russia is dominating and pushing and pushing

Who scored the goal? 3 -3 ?

Yashin threw it infront of the net Kovalchuck directed it on Lasaks leg rebound out to Kozlov who one-timed it under Lasaks arm.

Final score 3-3

kozy is my hero :)

So did the game end in a tie?

This team has character.

No offense but Slovakia is useless 5 on 5.

And Russia has absolutely no powerplay.

Sorry my computer sucks

How did Malkin look?

sounded like a good game wish I could of watched it.

No offense but Slovakia is useless 5 on 5.

And Russia has absolutely no powerplay.

What do you mean? They didn't look good out there?

Well, Ovechkin was player of the game for me. He looks by far better than everyone on the ice.

2 nice moments from the game:
- Chara afraid to fight with Fedorov Jr.
- 5-on-3 play in PK when Datsyuk lost his stick.

Well, Ovechkin was player of the game. He looks by far better than everyone on the ice.

Yeah in 3rd he looked really good and honestly surprised me with some plays. I really hope Semin will back soon because he is as danger as Ovechkin if not more and I hope Zinoviev will help Kovalchuk to be visible at least.

2 nice moments from the game:
- Chara afraid to fight with Fedorov Jr.

Was he affraid or is he more usefull to that team when he's on the ice and not in the box? Smart Chara for me :clap:

What do you mean? They didn't look good out there?

they only chances Slovakia got 5 on 5 was early in the 1st ... and their offense vanished. The Russian totally outplayed them in the 3rd (5 on 5), and it's a miracle that Slovakia got the tie granted the number of chances Russia had : I mean Kharitonov hit the post, then Afinogenov missed an open net ...

but Russia absolutely lacks finishers, they can't really put the puck in the net when they have the opportunity. the PP sucks ass.

and Sokolov looks shaky out there. he should have stopped Visnovsky's shot. there was no one in front of him, so that 3rd goal was his mistake.

In the first game Slovakia had several individualistic surges toward the net get turned aside (Zednik, Palffy) and a passing line florish (Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa). The team showed some cohesiveness in the third period.

In their first game Russia had many ineffective puck-hogging surges (Yashin, Kovalchuk, Afinogenov, Ovechkin) and some moments of good passing and team play (Malkin, Kovalev, Datsyuk). The players never quite put it together and even the powerplay didn't show a unified formation of passing to and fro the point.

Litmus test time: Which group of players will put it together and gel as a team?

It'll be the game of the day, IMO.

Prediction: 3-3

Good call ;)

- Chara afraid to fight with Fedorov Jr.

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

More like Chara unwilling to waste time in the penalty box after pummeling that useless hump.

The Russians would love the trade off, the Slovaks, not so much.

Why isn't Dinamo's goalie being played?

2 nice moments from the game:
- Chara afraid to fight with Fedorov Jr.

Was he affraid or is he more usefull to that team when he's on the ice and not in the box? Smart Chara for me :clap:
Now, it's named so ;)

Why isn't Dinamo's goalie being played?

because Yeremenko and Yeremeyev are not the same person, and Yeremenko sucks!

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

More like Chara unwilling to waste time in the penalty box after pummeling that useless hump.

The Russians would love the trade off, the Slovaks, not so much.
Have you seen his face or it's you suggestion as Ottawa fan ? :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

The game was great! Both teams played good hockey, although Russia little bit better. Ovechkin is a freakin monster! His line didn't play that much but every time they were on the ice it was dangerous. Those three are so fast, they are flying all over the ice! The referee sucked! That 5 on 3 at the end of the second was unnecessary call. For me it was the best part of the game! One minute and 20 seconds Slovaks with a two men advantage... And than Datsyuk without his stick carries the puck out of his zone! Russia was in control most of the game but Slovak counterattacks are deadly. Kharitonov's post... :madfire: What a play, what a wrist shot... Pitty that it didn't went in! It would be a a beautiful goal!

Hmmmm...just a thought, what if Chechs and Slovaks could ice one team toghether :D ?

Hmmmm...just a thought, what if Chechs and Slovaks could ice one team toghether :D ?
What if USSR didn't fall and we have all Khabibulins, Fedorovs, Mogilnys and Zubovs with others players that may come from Soviet hockey school that worked like machine ? :D

Hmmmm...just a thought, what if Chechs and Slovaks could ice one team toghether :D ?

Sorry, but (for example) Sokolov is Russia's 4th(!) goalie! How would Slovakia do with it's 4th goalie?!

What if USSR didn't fall and we have all Khabibulins, Fedorovs, Mogilnys and Zubovs with others players that may come from Soviet hockey school that worked like machine ? :D

Antropov!!! Please don't forget Antropov ;) :D . But I agree, it would be better to watch tic tac toe hockey machine that was winning everything instead of 22 prima-donnas wearing Rossija jerseys nowadays ;) . No offence intended, I just can't stand how their talent doesn't translate into winning tournaments. Maybe with Krikunov it will be better.

Yeah in 3rd he looked really good and honestly surprised me with some plays. I really hope Semin will back soon because he is as danger as Ovechkin if not more and I hope Zinoviev will help Kovalchuk to be visible at least.

Can you tell me what happened to Semin?

they only chances Slovakia got 5 on 5 was early in the 1st ... and their offense vanished. The Russian totally outplayed them in the 3rd (5 on 5), and it's a miracle that Slovakia got the tie granted the number of chances Russia had : I mean Kharitonov hit the post, then Afinogenov missed an open net ...

but Russia absolutely lacks finishers, they can't really put the puck in the net when they have the opportunity. the PP sucks ass.

and Sokolov looks shaky out there. he should have stopped Visnovsky's shot. there was no one in front of him, so that 3rd goal was his mistake.

Is the Ovechkin-Malkin line relegated to 4th line time?

Can you tell me what happened to Semin?

He is got a chill and had high temperature.

ahoy!

He is got a chill and had high temperature.


Thanks....and I agree with you.....he is one dangerous player

For those who have seen the first 2 Russian games, would you say that A. Markov has played like he's the #1 blueliner for Russia in this tournament so far ?

For those who have seen the first 2 Russian games, would you say that A. Markov has played like he's the #1 blueliner for the Russia in this tournament so far ?
Yes.

Here how Afinogenov didn't score in open net: http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/52747705.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=062216C2E92DE68685D478E54229B376621B2AC3A625 13D3

This team has character.

:handclap: my words !

What a game and what a lucky one for Slovakia :shakehead
And we still missing 2 of our key-guys ! O boy i hope we have the SEMIN -YASHIN-KOZLOV line back in the next game !

AND HOW SICK IS OVECHKIN !!! WHAT A PLAYER WITH 19 !!! :bow:
What a smoooooooooooooooooooooooooth skater MALKIN is WOW :bow:

The future looks bright my russian friends ....very bright :yo:

Here how Afinogenov didn't score in open net: http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/52747705.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=062216C2E92DE68685D478E54229B376621B2AC3A625 13D3
How can he miss that??!! Even I could have put it in!

Slay, did you recorded the goals? Would be awesome.

Did Kovalchuk have a fight? :eek:

because Yeremenko and Yeremeyev are not the same person, and Yeremenko sucks!

If Yeremenko sucks why is he in the World Championships?

Where is Novokuznetsk goalie Vadim Tarasov? Isn´t he the best Russian goalie after Nabokov and Khabi?

Slay, did you recorded the goals? Would be awesome.

Nope, tv signal of TVC channel that shows games here is not very good quality for me. I hoped to record them in sport news but "Sport" doesn't show the highlights, seems like they don't have rights to show them.

how about defense ?
does it look bright also ?
after the russians got spanked by canadians in the ADT/Canada challenge and in the juniors...

:handclap: my words !

What a game and what a lucky one for Slovakia :shakehead
And we still missing 2 of our key-guys ! O boy i hope we have the SEMIN -YASHIN-KOZLOV line back in the next game !

AND HOW SICK IS OVECHKIN !!! WHAT A PLAYER WITH 19 !!! :bow:
What a smoooooooooooooooooooooooooth skater MALKIN is WOW :bow:

The future looks bright my russian friends ....very bright :yo:

how about defense ?
does it look bright also ?
after the russians got spanked by canadians in the ADT/Canada challenge and in the juniors...

wow you are the man ............ :clap:

not following ya...

wow you are the man ............ :clap:

Hey guys what about SEMIN ? Is he ready for the next game against belarussia ?

I've seen the whole game in german television and i'm very surised by russia.
They have done a great job tonight. The scoring lines were awesome, especially the 4th line with Ovechkin, Malkin and Afinogenov. Man, Afinogenov could have decided this match two times ! GREAT SKILL!!!! :handclap:
BTW, the defense (A. Markov) looked good, they have to be careful on PP but it was OK.

GOOD JOB RUSSIA!!!!! :bow:

so much optimism
but prevailing over Austria and tying Slovakia is a humble achievement.
What about stronger teams like Canada, US, Sweden, Finland and the Czechs ?
Where are ZHitnik, Zubov, Yushkevich, Tverdovsky ?

so much optimism
but prevailing over Austria and tying Slovakia is a humble achievement.
What about stronger teams like Canada, US, Sweden, Finland and the Czechs ?
Where are ZHitnik, Zubov, Yushkevich, Tverdovsky ?

один Андрюша Марков будет их держать в защите :)

Sweden ? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm did you saw the last 2 games against Russia :D ???

so much optimism
but prevailing over Austria and tying Slovakia is a humble achievement.
What about stronger teams like Canada, US, Sweden, Finland and the Czechs ?
Where are ZHitnik, Zubov, Yushkevich, Tverdovsky ?



No. The others will be fine ;)

Well, for one thing TV channels in Canada are not showing any games that Russia played. I haven't seen a glimpse of this team and that's why I'm cautious.
Round robin doesn't concern me, the road to finals (if there is one) does.
They are showing game between the Swedes and the Danes instead of Belarus-Austria... great selection :sarcasm:

Sweden ? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm did you saw the last 2 games against Russia :D ???

I'd like to think so. Thanks, dude.

No. The others will be fine ;)

I haven't seen any great team on this WC yet (except RUSSIA and Slovakia(today))

:teach:

Well, for one thing TV channels in Canada are not showing any games that Russia played.

What a surprise ;)

2:1 and 5:2 (against Sweden) last two games - it was the final of the Euro-championchips :yo:

y r u singling out Sweden out of the teams I mentioned ?

What a surprise ;)

2:1 and 5:2 (against Sweden) last two games - it was the final of the Euro-championchips :yo:

y r u singling out Sweden out of the teams I mentioned ?

only one example ..........nothing else dude

Commentator named Slovaks as "Сволочи" :D

Is it true??? This is horrible... :eek:

Wish I could see Russian and Ukrainian games. Damn ESPN! :madfire: :rant:

cool. cool.

only one example ..........nothing else dude

cool. cool.
Ok dude, I don't get it...You live in Toronto, you speak Russian, you have a mongolian flag under your nickname and an avatar of a sweed player...Who are you??

man, it's a long story
but to make it simple lemme just clarify a thing or two.
the swedish dude is Mats Sundin - a Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs - makes sense since I reside in Toronto.

Granted you recall the Soviet history, Mongolia pretty much became the 16th SSR.
or close to it. Poles, Bulgars or else can dispute that, even though I doubt they'd be willing to. Well, Bulgars might not mind.

I grew up in Moscow, if that helps ;)

I had Ovechkin till today on my avatar. Lacking good avatars, I decided to revive Mats to pay homage to his golden days, he isn't even playing for Team Sweden this year...

Ok dude, I don't get it...You live in Toronto, you speak Russian, you have a mongolian flag under your nickname and an avatar of a sweed player...Who are you??

So you're originally from Mongolia? Mongolia is cool

Yes Mongolia almost became the 16th Soviet republic, but i guess the Soviet Union didn't want to have such huge borders with China...

Yashin didn't play much. Anyone knows the reason?

any update on Semin would be great, hopefully he's back for the next game. Surprising to hear Kovalchuk has played poorly, but great that Ovechkin is dominating.

How can he miss that??!! Even I could have put it in!

Slay, did you recorded the goals? Would be awesome.

He can stickhandle like you wouldn't believe but still has hands of stone.

Yashin didn't play much. Anyone knows the reason?

Really? I've seen him just as much as everyone else. He was on the tying goal play.

In the first game Slovakia had several individualistic surges toward the net get turned aside (Zednik, Palffy) and a passing line florish (Gaborik-Demitra-Hossa). The team showed some cohesiveness in the third period.

In their first game Russia had many ineffective puck-hogging surges (Yashin, Kovalchuk, Afinogenov, Ovechkin) and some moments of good passing and team play (Malkin, Kovalev, Datsyuk). The players never quite put it together and even the powerplay didn't show a unified formation of passing to and fro the point.

Litmus test time: Which group of players will put it together and gel as a team?

It'll be the game of the day, IMO.

Prediction: 3-3
I pegged it: 3-3 :D

But Slovakia showed more of a team game, and so looks more prepared to succeed in this tourney. Both of the top lines were gelling.

That said, Russia finally showed something other than the individual play of the previous game. At least there was some give-and-go plays, which is the beginning of working together. And there was some good set ups on the powerplay to keep the puck in deep, working along the boards. The goals were all lucky for Russia, but the kind of luck that is made: a deflection, a 5-on-3 and a rebound.

Just a reminder guys. You must post only in English.

What exactly do you call a "lucky" goal? A rebound is not a lucky goal, Kozlov's goal was not a "lucky" one either...Afinogenov had a bad luck and missed an open net, Slovakia got lucky to get a tie. Don't put it the other way around...

who cares about luck? as long as you keep getting pucks towards the net anything can happen.

who cares about luck? as long as you keep getting pucks towards the net anything can happen.
Yes, but that guy is tring to say that Russia sucks and don't deserve a win basically...

Yes, but that guy is tring to say that Russia sucks and don't deserve a win basically...
Not at all. They deserved the tie.

the kind of luck that is made: a deflection, a 5-on-3 and a rebound.
The game was a litmus test in "team play". working together, that was the standard used.

Anyone care to give me an updates on Dats and his play in the tourney so far. It sounded liked he had a good playoffs, and I was wondering if he has carried it over into the tourney?

Anyone care to give me an updates on Dats and his play in the tourney so far. It sounded liked he had a good playoffs, and I was wondering if he has carried it over into the tourney?
He was more of a force in the first game but he is doing many good things, is one of the best players on his team. He has shown good physical stamina to hold his own along the boards, makes moves around guys, passes to the open guy, takes pucks away from the opposition, is giving it his all. Let's just say I can't stand the Red Wings but after his two games in this tourney I'm starting to become a fan of his play.

lol, yeah, history is a bit complicated there, but thanks, dude.

So you're originally from Mongolia? Mongolia is cool

Yes Mongolia almost became the 16th Soviet republic, but i guess the Soviet Union didn't want to have such huge borders with China...

Really? I've seen him just as much as everyone else. He was on the tying goal play.

I just got the impression that he didn't play much. Maybe I'm wrong.

BTW, what is the situation with Zinovjev now? Is he better? Can we expect him back anytime soon? We need him!