Its USA-v-Switzerland, in an unlikely match-up in the semi-final round.
USA spanked Russia 8-3 early in the day on Thursday. Then, the Swiss out lasted the Czechs 2-1.
The Swiss have been the darlings of this IIHF World Championship, having now won 8 straight games. This is the first ever trip to the semis for the Swiss. Talk about "Nathan Gerbe style underdog/overcome long odds to succeed" stories! A truly great accomplishment to be certain.
The combination of Martin Gerber's strong goaltending and Nashville Pred Roman Josi's second period goal, Switzerland moves into the semis vs. Gibson, Stastny and team USA.
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Happy Birthday wishes are in order for Sabres rookie Mikhail Grigorenko, who was born 19 years ago today.
Grigo scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. There will be many more of these moments in the not too distant future for the kid in Buffalo.
Sweden-Canada will be a war! I can't wait to watch this game live.
Jhinas Enroth will getthe start for Re Kronor.
Sweden's head coach, Par Mårts, told swehockey.se that he and his staff have prepared the Swedes for what they feel will be a battle royale:
"We are ready and looking forward to tonight's quarter-final against Canada! We have 653 clips of their games and stitched them together into our scouting meeting for about 10 minutes after the morning skate. BUT it is not what is most important. It's our game! How we play together, how to help each other, communicate and dare to play our best hockey right tonight! With the crowd in the back, we have an extraordinary player who is important to us! Together!"
Lindy Ruff better tell his boys that Sweden will pull out all the stops to win this tourney on their home ice.
The addition of Alex Ovechkin did nothing to bolster Russia's lineup at the IIHF World Championship. Nothing at all.
Russia's goalie tandem of Ilya Bryzgalov and Semyon Varlamov were gawd awful in the quarter final game vs. a 19 year old kid and a cast of youngsters from the USA. Bryzgalov was given the hook after surrendering 4 goals and just 19 shots, then was banished to a black hole in the humangous beeg universe. Semyon Varlamov gave up the other four goals.
Nashville Pred forward Craig Smith collected 5 points, Paul Stastny scored two and added two assists, while John Gibson made 31 saves for Team USA, who will play Switzerland in the semi-finals in Stockholm.
Alex Ovechkin scored one and added an assist for Russia.
Thanks, IIHF
John Gibson, the skilled, fearless goalie who earned MVP, Best Goaltender, and all-star goalie honors in the dramatic USA gold medal win at the 2013 World Juniors in Ufa, Russia. USA head coach, Joe Sacco, played a hunch when he left Tampa goalie Ben Bishop and his 87.8 save % on the bench. Bishop lost 4-1 in the round-robin finale versus Slovakia.
Gibson previously earned a 4-1 win over host Finland and blanked Germany 3-0.
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