slapshot™
5-13-05, 11:29 PM
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Will the Russians get by Canada to compete for their first gold since 1993?
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As if the drama of hosting two shootout finales wasn't enough, now the Wiener Stadthalle will witness the latest chapters being written in two of international hockey's classic rivalries in Saturday's two semi-finals. Tears will be shed and fists will be raised in triumph, as two teams receive a chance to achieve their golden dreams and the other two are sent off to chase a consolation cast in bronze.
Russia versus Canada: Since the Russians first beat Canada at the 1954 IIHF World Championship, this has become perhaps the greatest rivalry, not only in hockey history, but in all sports. The 1972 Summit Series, featuring Paul Henderson's final-minute winner in Game Eight, proved the Russians could play on an equal footing with the Canadian NHL pros. The Russians dominated the IIHF World Championships of the 1960's, 70's, and 80's, but lately it's been Canada who aspires to dynastic status.
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Sweden and the Czech Republic haven't clashed at the Worlds since 2001
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Of late, the Russians have not fared well against Canada in this tournament, losing 5-1 in the Preliminary Round on May 2 in Germany 2001 and dropping a 5-2 decision during the Qualifying Round in Finland 2003. But the sbornaja have been the most consistent team in Austria 2005, still unbeaten with just two victories separating them from gold.
Can young guns like Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Alexander Ovechkin find enough chinks in the armor of Canada's Martin Brodeur to get into the gold medal game? Or will the likes of Dany Heatley and Ryan Smyth step up alongside Joe Thornton and Rick Nash as the Canadians "put their game faces on" and march toward their shot at a third straight title?
Sweden versus Czech Republic: Without Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Mats Sundin, and Nicklas Lidstrom, Tre Kronor wasn't expected to do much in this tournament. But their reliance on a team concept has put them just one step away from cracking their third consecutive gold medal game, and scoring is coming from throughout the roster. Daniel Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg, and Henrik Lundqvist are proving that the next generation of Swedish stars will live up to and perhaps even surpass their predecessors in blue and yellow.
The Czechs found a way to get past the USA and now have their sights set on their first IIHF World Championship medal since 2001. And of course, nothing less than a return to gold is expected. Can Tomas Vokoun win another big game? Which of the Czech stars at forward, from Jaromir Jagr to Petr Sykora to Martin Rucinsky, will step up and take the lead offensively?
Traditionally, games between these two nations are tight, low-scoring affairs. They haven't met in IIHF World Championship competition since a dramatic 3-2 Czech victory via the shootout in the Germany 2001 semi-finals. It's very difficult to say which way this one will go, but only a complete blowout one way or another would be a huge surprise.
This tourney is really heating up. It's anyone's game. Who do you guys pick for the winners?
http://www.ihwc.net/img/cp.gif
http://www.ihwc.net/img/cp.gif
Will the Russians get by Canada to compete for their first gold since 1993?
http://www.ihwc.net/img/cp.gif
As if the drama of hosting two shootout finales wasn't enough, now the Wiener Stadthalle will witness the latest chapters being written in two of international hockey's classic rivalries in Saturday's two semi-finals. Tears will be shed and fists will be raised in triumph, as two teams receive a chance to achieve their golden dreams and the other two are sent off to chase a consolation cast in bronze.
Russia versus Canada: Since the Russians first beat Canada at the 1954 IIHF World Championship, this has become perhaps the greatest rivalry, not only in hockey history, but in all sports. The 1972 Summit Series, featuring Paul Henderson's final-minute winner in Game Eight, proved the Russians could play on an equal footing with the Canadian NHL pros. The Russians dominated the IIHF World Championships of the 1960's, 70's, and 80's, but lately it's been Canada who aspires to dynastic status.
http://www.ihwc.net/img/cp.gif
http://www.ihwc.net/image/large/909.jpg
http://www.ihwc.net/img/cp.gif
Sweden and the Czech Republic haven't clashed at the Worlds since 2001
http://www.ihwc.net/img/cp.gif
Of late, the Russians have not fared well against Canada in this tournament, losing 5-1 in the Preliminary Round on May 2 in Germany 2001 and dropping a 5-2 decision during the Qualifying Round in Finland 2003. But the sbornaja have been the most consistent team in Austria 2005, still unbeaten with just two victories separating them from gold.
Can young guns like Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Alexander Ovechkin find enough chinks in the armor of Canada's Martin Brodeur to get into the gold medal game? Or will the likes of Dany Heatley and Ryan Smyth step up alongside Joe Thornton and Rick Nash as the Canadians "put their game faces on" and march toward their shot at a third straight title?
Sweden versus Czech Republic: Without Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Mats Sundin, and Nicklas Lidstrom, Tre Kronor wasn't expected to do much in this tournament. But their reliance on a team concept has put them just one step away from cracking their third consecutive gold medal game, and scoring is coming from throughout the roster. Daniel Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg, and Henrik Lundqvist are proving that the next generation of Swedish stars will live up to and perhaps even surpass their predecessors in blue and yellow.
The Czechs found a way to get past the USA and now have their sights set on their first IIHF World Championship medal since 2001. And of course, nothing less than a return to gold is expected. Can Tomas Vokoun win another big game? Which of the Czech stars at forward, from Jaromir Jagr to Petr Sykora to Martin Rucinsky, will step up and take the lead offensively?
Traditionally, games between these two nations are tight, low-scoring affairs. They haven't met in IIHF World Championship competition since a dramatic 3-2 Czech victory via the shootout in the Germany 2001 semi-finals. It's very difficult to say which way this one will go, but only a complete blowout one way or another would be a huge surprise.
This tourney is really heating up. It's anyone's game. Who do you guys pick for the winners?