Finland just missed it...

Ostrava, Czech Republic – The third quarterfinal between Russia and Sweden also ended with the puck crossing the goal line 8 times. But unlike the second quarterfinal, this time around the goals were divided among the teams 5-3.

Russia dominated the first period scoring two unanswered goals and in the first minute of the second period they scored the third goal. But Sweden came back showing that they were not Belorussia. Sweden scored 1 their first goal in the middle of the second period.

Then 13 minutes into the third period the Swedes equalled the game at 3-3. But it took Russia a few seconds to take back the lead with Yevgeny Malkin scoring his second goal. Another minute later Russia sealed it with another goal to finish the match at 5-3. This means Russia will take on Team USA on Saturday in Prague and guess what my choice remains the same: Go Russia!!!

In the fourth quarterfinal things were a lot more emotional even hotter. The Czech team opened the score in the 7^th minute of the first period, but the Finns came back to equal the game at 1-1 2 minutes before the end of the period. Then in the beginning of the second period Finland scored their second goal to put all the pressure on the Czechs.

But guess what Czechs came back strong with Jaromir Jagr scoring the equalizer 13 minutes into the second period. Just 1 ½ minute later the Finns brought the puck into the Czech goal and it seemed that Finns had reclaimed the lead. But the referee disqualified the goal and sent Kontiola to the penalty box for 2 minutes. The game at this stage was 4x4, so now it was 4x3 in favour of the Czechs. It did not take long for Jan Kovar to give Czechs the lead and the teams went to the dressing rooms for the second time with Czechs leading 3-2.

Just 4 minutes into the third period Finland’s Barkov scored a beautiful equalizer. Guess what, just 4 minutes before the end of the third period Jaromir Jagr scored the 4^th goal for his team. The Finns did all that they could to equalize the goal, but Czechs won the ticket to Saturday’s semi-final against the Canadians. The last nail was hammered, when Sobotka scored the 5^th goal, while Riine had left the ice to allow the 6^th player in.

Today half of my favourites went through, so let’s see what happens on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed, because I think team USA is packing their bags on the Saturday!

Quarterfinal day: USA-SUI – 3-1; Canada-Belarus – 9-0; Russia-Sweden – 5-3; Finland-Czech Republic – 3-5.