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IIHF World Championship round up - day three

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Hockey correspondent Tambo gives us his views on the third day of competition in Group A at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships.

Without any doubt the game of the day was Slovakia v Russia in Vienna.

SLOVAKIA 3  RUSSIA 3

The game was nip and tuck for the first 10 mins with neither team dominating. The Slovaks took the lead on the power play at 12.57 after Marian Hossa was pulled down on a breakaway. A low shot from the point by Strbak came off the backboard to Palffy, wide open on the left and he tapped it in with Sokolov stranded. Russia came back at the Slovaks but still didn’t have their game in gear. End of period 1-0

29.23 gone and Slovakia stretched their lead again on the power play as Stumpel made a good pass from behind the goal to Hossa who deked Sokolov on the short side. The two-goal advantage only lasted 22 seconds when a shot by Antipov came off the skate of Nepryaev and through Lasak’s legs into the net. Russia had the momentum now and equalised at 32.22 as Markov blasted a snapshot past the hapless Lasak.  First major handbags of the tournament happened at 16.01 in the Russian zone when Satan was challenged by Proshkin and Kovalchuk with sticks and gloves dropped. The Slovaks were unable to make the man advantage or even a 5 on 3 count and the period ended 2-2.

Slovakia regained the lead just 1.27 into the third on the power play after Russian had been done for too many men. Visnovsky came in from right point and smashed a snapshot past Sokolov. Russia had to up their game and did so for the rest of the period and deservedly equalised at 57.39 when Kovalchuk hit the puck off Lasak’s pad and Kozlov shot the rebound top shelf. Great game and a point apiece not a bad result.

BELARUS 5 AUSTRIA 0

In the other game in group A, Belarus stunned the home nation with an easy 5-0 win. Four goals from Mikhail Grabovsky (my man to watch in the preview), three of them on the power play and a 29 save shut out from Mezin. Although Austria dominated the first two periods Belarus took their chances and have all but secured their top flight ranking for another year.

Group Preliminary A

Russia and Slovakia confirm their place in the qualification round with Belarus almost certain to join them. Austria will go to the relegation group to try and book their place in Latvia 2006. Remaining games in this group are on Wednesday when Russia play Belarus and Austria take on the Slovaks.

FINLAND 4 UKRAINE 1

The mighty Finns continued to impress in the championship with a comfortable 4-1 win against Ukraine. Ukraine held tough in the first period but went behind to a Finland power play goal at 8.31 as Kallio passed to the point for Antii Jussi-Niemi (no relation to the Southampton goalie) to score. Once again Simchuk was excellent in the Ukrainian goal as they ended the period 0-1 and outshot 9-19.

Finland upped their game in the second and 4 mins into the period Peltonen converted a cross ice feed past Simchuk. Three minutes later and it was 3-0, again on the power play as Timonen scored. Ukraine pulled one back with a mark from Varlamov and the period finished 3-1

Finland coasted the third and a goal at 17.32 by Hentonen wrapped up a comfortable goal.  A bit of a sour note at the end as the Finns complained about some dodgy stick work by the Ukrainians during the game.  "I have no respect for the Ukrainians, because with them it is kind of a slashing competition," said Olli Jokinen. "I am glad we scored a few goals but thank God no one was injured. I can't say it was really a hockey game."

SWEDEN 7 DENMARK 0

The other game in group C saw Sweden totally outclass a very poor Danish side as goals from Daniel Sedin (2), one from his twin brother Henrik, and marks from Axelsson, Alfredsson, Kahnberg and Hedstrom saw the “Tre Krone” through to an easy 7-0 win

Group Preliminary C

Sweden and Finland confirm their places in the next round prior to their meeting on Wednesday. Ukraine and Denmark meet on the same night with the loser heading to the relegation round.

Ok that’s it for the Monday night round up. Big game on Tuesday has got to be the Germany v Czech Republic game. Other ties see surprise outfit Kazakhstan take on the Swiss and in group B Canada should have a turkey shoot against Slovenia and the USA v Latvia match up could be interesting!

Tambo

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• IIHF World Championships - the view from the stands
• IIHF World Championship round up - day one
• IIHF World Championship round up - day two
• IIHF World Championship round up - day four