Tuesday, April 19, 2011

One-sided wins on Day 5

Press Release

Canada made a step towards a bye to the semi-finals thanks to a 5-0 victory against Norway. Slovakia got its first win of the tournament, beating Germany 4-0.

Germany vs. Slovakia 0-4 (0-2, 0-2, 0-0)

CRIMMITSCHAU –Slovakia got its first win of the tournament, beating Germany 4-0. Despite missing a chance to gain points, the German national team still has to feel good about its chances going into its final game of the preliminary round.

With a win against Switzerland and a loss in the shoot out to Russia, Germany sits in third place with four points. A victory in their final game against the USA, or a loss by Switzerland to Russia will see them through to the playoffs. Should both teams lose, Germany will go through based on their earlier victory against the Swiss.

For the Slovaks, stuck at the bottom of Group A and destined to play in the relegation round, it was an opportunity to take out a bit of frustration that has built up from a disappointing tournament.

They were aided in part by shaky goaltending from Germany’s Martin Cupper, who was unable to stop a rebound from getting to Slovak forward Bruno Mraz for the opening goal.

After that, penalty trouble began to plague the Germans, who were sent to the four times in the first and gave up a power play goal to Slovakia’s Matej Hindos, who jumped on another rebound from Cupper to score.

The second period same more of the same, as Slovakia’s Vladimir Dolnik twice took advantage of German miscues and giveaways by Cupper to put his team up 4-0.

Canada vs. Norway 5-0 (3-0, 1-0, 1-0)

DRESDEN – The Canadians, with six points through two games and a win over the second-place Czech Republic, now have a trip to the tournament semi-finals is within their grasp following a 5-0 win against Norway. The Canadians now face Sweden in a game that will determine the top seed of Group B.

Canada opened up the scoring less than a minute into the game, with a goal by Nick Cousins from Brett Ritchie and Mark Scheifele. Canada added two more scores in the first, one by Colin Smith and another on the power play from Scheifele, his fourth of the tournament. The Norwegians were again badly outshot in the opening period, this time 20-6.

With a comfortable 3-0 lead, the Canadian offence slowed down the in second and third periods. Scheifele managed to notch another power play goal in the second period, bringing him into a tie with tournament goalscoring leader Nikita Kucherov of Russia. Slater Koekkoek added another power play marker in the third as Canada cruised to another 5-0 win.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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