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Canada barely squeaks by Gudlevskis, Russia win Slovakia

May 14, 2018, 5:01 PM ET [4 Comments]
Aivis Kalnins
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Final two rounds left at the IIHF World Championship group stage – early game to watch between Russia and Slovakia was set to be played in Kopenhagen.

Russia began with very dangerous attacks early in the 1st period but the first penalty of the game was given to them as well – Nikita Tryamkin to the box for slashing fortunately for Russia – it was no good for Slovaks as they barely managed to do anything with a man advantage. Russia got their shot on the powerplay but it wasn’t capable of scoring either. With 8:50 left in the period Maxim Mamin caught Gavrikov’s rebound to cash it in and put Russia up 1-0. Towards the end of the period, Pavel Datsyuk made a nice pass to Nikita Gusev who ripped the puck into the Slovak net to make it 2-0 for Russia. A completely dominant period for the Red Machine while Slovakia had a rare counter-attack opportunity. Shots on goal 17-2.

A carry-over 5on3 PP for Russians to start the 2nd but penalties remained uncapitalized upon. By the midpoint of the game, Russia had created more offensively threatening attacks in the opposing zone and Slovakia kept trying to get back at them but couldn’t as Russians were flying up and down the ice looking like they have the fire lit under their bottoms. Slovaks picked the pace up a little forcing Nikita Traymkin to take another penalty with around 7 minutes left in the period, didn’t give them much other than a boost of confidence as they kept pressuring Russian side to hope and gain some momentum and perhaps score a goal.

Eventually, things broke down for Slovakia late in the final period as Russia scored two quick goals from goals by Shalunov and Ilya Mikheev. Russia ended up with a 4-0 victory.





Latvia – Canada. The Maple Leaf team meeting their Sochi Olympic nemesis – Kristers Gudlevskis and his fellow countrymen. With not much at stake in this game for Latvians, their focus could’ve been shifted to tomorrow’s game against Denmark where quarter-final ticket will be decided.

In the 1st period, Team Canada controlled the game, made their shots and scored a goal. The puck was behind Kristers Gudlevskis and Anthony Beauvillier pushed it in to take the lead.
2nd period began with both teams exchanging chances, eventually, Latvia earned themselves a power play a few dangerous chances but that is where it ended. Canada controlled the puck more but the attacks of Latvian team were more dangerous and caused some defensive errors as the game progressed. Still, Gudlevskis had to play on top of his level in order to keep the game close. Latvia couldn’t capitalize on another power-play towards the end of the 2nd period but still managed to keep up with Team Canada and game was quite even. The score remained unchanged, 1-0 Canada so it would mean that the game was going to be decided in the 3rd period.
Early in the 3rd sloppy defense by Team Canada and Latvian youngster Rubins with a blast to tie the game up and make it 1-1. Canada powerplay up next and Latvian PK was excellent and the penalty was killed. The score remained unchanged and OT was set to be played.
Connor McDavid ended it in OT with a great goal, caught a rebound and smashed the puck in from mid-air. 2-1 the final score.

Gudlevskis: ''I felt great, we fought hard, our PK was good. We had our chances, I wanted to give them that one more chance in the OT''
''I just wanted to play well for our fans, our team. We just have to keep going, doesn't matter who steps in front of us'' he said after the game.






Other:
Korea 0-3 Norway



Czechia 4-3 Austria
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