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Meltzer's Musings: Olympic Updates

February 18, 2014, 11:49 AM ET [439 Comments]
Bill Meltzer
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • RSSArchiveCONTACT
UPDATE 2:35 PM EST

Jakub Voracek and the rest of Team Czech Republic will advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow to play Team USA after the Czechs hung on to beat Andrej Meszaros and Team Slovakia, 5-3. The Czechs built up a 4-0 lead only to see their former countrymen roar back for three goals. A late stick slashing penalty by Meszaros was followed by a Tomas Plekanec empty net goal. Back in the first period, Voracek had a nifty assist on Ales Hemsky's power play goal that opened the scoring in the game.

Mark Streit and Team Switzerland are going home after getting upset by Latvia, 3-1. Former Flyers defenseman Oskars Bartulis scored the first Latvian goal through a heavy screen. Streit contributed to -- but did not get an assist-- on Martin Pluss' lone goal for the Swiss.

There are now two current Flyers players remaining in the tournament with their teams: Voracek (Czech Republic) and Kimmo Timonen (Finland).

Tomorrow's games in EST:
3 a.m. -- Sweden-Slovenia
7:30 a.m. -- Finland-Russia
Noon -- Canada-Latvia and USA-Czech Republic.

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10:45 AM EST

RAFFL OLYMPIC WRAPUP

The 2014 Olympics in Sochi were a positive individual experience for Flyers' forward Michael Raffl, even though his Austrian team went 1-2-0 in the preliminary round and then got knocked out in medal round qualification play by Slovenia earlier today. Raffl not only got to play in his first Olympic tournament, he got to do with older brother Thomas as one of his teammates and finished the tourney with three points (one goal, two assists) in four games.

In an upset, Slovenia blanked the Austrians by a 4-0 score to advance to the quarterfinals to play Sweden.The Slovenians outskated and outworked the Austrians throughout the game at even strength, and special teams play (one power play goal and one shorthanded goal) was crucial to the outcome.

Michael Raffl was one of the few Austrian players who matched the determination and two-way work ethic of the Slovenians today. He set up several excellent scoring chances for his linemates -- including springing Thomas Vanek on a third period breakaway -- but none were finished against veteran Slovenian goaltender Robert Kristan (30 saves).

Rather than manning a wing, Raffl played center during the tournament; a position the forward played in one NHL game for the tournament. He struggled a bit on faceoffs but otherwise gave a strong two-accounting for himself. Raffl assisted on two of Michael Grabner's three goals in the opening game loss to Finland. He scored his first Olympic goal in Austria's 3-1 win over Norway.

VORACEK VS. MESZAROS IN QUALIFIERS

The Czech Republic vs. Slovakia match with a spot in the quarterfinals against Team USA at stake will begin at noon eastern time. Flyers right winger Jakub Voracek has skated on the Czechs' third line throughout the tournament. Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros has skated on the second defense pairing for the Slovaks.

I will post a synopsis after the conclusion of this game.

STREIT AND SWISS TAKE ON LATVIA

Team Switzerland is very accomplished at playing the role of the underdog team that relies on strong team defense and excellent goaltending to win. Playing as the favorite expected to win is a bit different, and the Swiss are not always very good in that role.

Flyers defenseman Mark Streit and company will need to generate a little more offense.

I will post a synopsis upon the conclusion of the game.

TIMONEN AND FINNS AWAIT RUSSIANS

Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen and the rest of Team Finland have today off to prepare for tomorrow's quarterfinal games. As expected, the Finns will play Russia, who are coming off a grind-it-out 4-0 win over Norway. The final two Russian goals came late in regulation, and one was an empty-netter.

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