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Hockey writer Tambo gives us his views on Day Seven of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship Group A competition, a day that saw the start of Round Two.

The qualifying and relegation rounds got underway today with some of the best hockey of the tournament so far.

FINLAND 4 USA 4

A fantastic end-to-end game finished on a tie with a controversial late goal by the US. Initial footage appeared to show the puck being kicked into the net for the equaliser, however the video ref ruled a goal and Team USA got away with a draw.

First blood to the Finns at 3.38 on the power play when Parssinen slid the puck through Conklin’s legs for 1-0. After plenty of end-to-end hockey and some hard hitting by both sides, USA equalised at 12.30 through Park with assists from Weight and Roach on the power play. That was it for the first and a 1-1 score line.

Not a lot to report on the second period apart from a few chances at either end. End of second still 1-1

The third period exploded into action as the US took a quick 3-1 lead with goals from Brett Hauer at 45.16 and Mike Modano finally showed up at the championships with a goal on 46.53. Finland hit back straight from the face off with a long screened shot by Hagman to pull back to 3-2. Then it was the turn of the Finns to hit with a double whammy on 53.10 and 54.57 as Jokinen on the power play and Ruutu scored to give them a deserved 4-3 lead. Then came the late controversy and the equalising goal from Mark Parrish. A great game and probably a fair result as both teams took a point from their opening game in round 2.

SWITZERLAND 3 RUSSIA 3

Another thrilling game in round 2 saw the Swiss battle to a deserved tie with Russia. Dave Aebisher made his first appearance in the finals and made 30 saves.

Swiss drew first blood on 1.43 when Blindenbacher broke in on the Russian goal and Lemm was on hand to knock in the rebound after Zvyagin made a good save from the initial shot. Russia replied almost immediately when Pavel Datsyuk one timed a vicious shot from the right to even the score at 2.28. Russia got the go ahead goal at 5.11 on a 5 on 3 through a score by Kovalchuk who hammered the puck in off the crossbar. There was more to come and the Swiss equalised at 8.52 with a goal from Dipietro, backhanding a rebound that came off the goal post. That was the end of the scoring in an amazing first period.

A much quieter second period ensued as the Swiss retreated into a defensive shell. They took the lead on 22.32, when on a 5 on 3 of their own as Streit wristed high into the net. Russia tied the game at 3-3 on 38.26 with a goal from Kovalev.

The third period was scoreless as the Russians pressed hard on a well-drilled Swiss defence. Final score 3-3.

Saturday’s games see Kazakhstan play Belarus in the battle of the minnows and another heavyweight contest is guaranteed with the match up between Slovakia and Czech Republic. Canada and Sweden play each other in the second group with Latvia taking on Ukraine.

GERMANY 2 AUSTRIA 2

Germany continued their disappointing campaign with a draw against the hosts in the relegation round.

They opened the scoring early on at 2.42 when Kathan, making his championship debut, tipped home a pass from Felski. In a fairly dull first period, Germany went further ahead on 16.09 with a goal from Alexander Barta. End of 1st and 2-0 to the Germans.

Austria got back into the game early in the second to fire up the crowd as Lakos burst down the right, cut inside and powered a high shot past Muller for 2-1 on 22.24. The period ended with a short German 5 on 3 but they were unable to trouble the goal judge.

The game was even on 51.06 on the power play as the Germans sat out a minor bench penalty for too many men. Daniel Welser became a national hero as he tipped a shot from Lakos through Muller’s legs. Austria pressed hard for the remaining minutes with the partisan crowd cheering every pass, but Germany held on for the draw.

SLOVENIA 4 DENMARK 3

In an amazing game in the relegation round, Slovenia finally woke up and came back from 3-0 down to stun Denmark.

The first two periods were totally dominated by Denmark and they were 3-0 up at the end of the first period with goals from Damgaard, Degn and Neilsen. Slovenia looked down, dejected and out at the end of 20 mins.

The second period was littered with minor penalties for both sides and Slovenia finally got on the score sheet at 37.26 when Ivo Jan marked to make the score 3-1.

Slovenia threw caution to the wind in the third and played some great free flowing hockey and stunned the Danes with two goals in the first five mins through wonderkid Anze Kopitar and Peter Rozic. Terglav completed an amazing comeback at 51.15 with the game-winning goal, tapping in a pass from Kontrec. The Danes were distraught and played out the rest of the game without believing they could get back into the game.

Denmark must now pick themselves up for Sunday’s game against Austria after this disaster. Germany play Slovenia on Monday.