Game one of the semi-finals the Czech Republic vs Russia – Down to the 5-minute mark of the period both teams felt each other out, some back and forth hockey with Czechia having more of the dangerous chances. Although they were also the 1st team to get on power-play, it seemed to only hurt them. One good scoring chance and lots of puck control outside Russian zone, that turned into a Russian PP. Russian’s gained advantaged on that shifting the game fully into their favor. OAR were the ones who had the quantity of the scoring chances while opposing side attempted to slow the game down and counter-attack. Scoreless after one period. SOG 9-6 for the Russians.
Not much action in the 2nd period until close to the half-time point of the game - Pavel Datsyuk with a filthy pass to Nikita Gusev who puts it in the net to put Russia up 1-0, 29 seconds later Ivan Telegin and Gavrikov fly down the ice 2-on-1 and Gavrikov seals the deal making it 2-0. Moments later Ilya Kovalchuk threw a dirty knee on Jan Kovar who was visibly hurt, and clearly, a 5+20 had to be called… Unfortunately for them, Czechia Kovalchuk’s surname worked out for OAR as only a two-minute penalty was called. After penalty kill, Ilya Kovalchuk went straight back to the box but team's penalty kill stayed perfect. 2-0 after two periods.
What looked to be final frame of the game began with Russia extending their offensive effort and Czech’s being forced to defend. 7 minutes in Ilya Kablukov was sent to the box for hooking but the kill for them as easy as the previous ones. With 2:05 left in the 3rd Czech went to pull their goalie to try and save their gold medal hopes, however, Ilya Kovalchuk put an end to it after scoring an empty net goal to make it 3-0 and clinch their spot in the Olympic finals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany - Canada began the game with some fast-paced hockey, exchanging chances early on. German pressure capitalised as Canada took two minor penalties and Brooks Macek took advantage of 5-on-3 to make it 1-0 13 minutes into the game. A beautiful wrist shot found it’s way past Poulin. Germany kept holding their own heading into intermission while being up a goal.
Canada came out of the gates flying but unfortunately for them, Chris Lee switched to offense and couldn’t get back in time to cover his guy, Hager to Plachta to double the deal in the 2nd period. Germany kept on piling on, with 13:11 left in the 2nd they earned a three-goal lead. Frank Mauer with a beauty between his own legs.
Frank Mauer, 3-0 Germany. Great pass from Marcel Goc. #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/E5zkM3pXDL
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) February 23, 2018
Kouzun gave Canada hope earning a man advantage for his team and Gilbert Brule capitalized with a wicked slapshot top corner to get back within two. Later on, Germans got caught with too many men on the ice putting Canada on PP once again but nothing came of it. Another penalty for Canada and another goal for Germany to make it 4-1 from a redirect. With 7 minutes left Gilbert Brule was ejected from the game after a hit to the head giving Germany an absolute on-ice advantage, Germany couldn’t take advantage heading into the 3rd with a 4-1 lead.
Canada had a hope to save the game and Matt Robinson gave them a reason to believe that game still can be saved - Matt Robinson bolts past everyone in German zone and put a backhander top-shelf getting Canada their very needed 2nd goal of the game. Not long after that Dominik Kahun was awarded a penalty shot but Poulin was clutch to keep the game close. Canada powerplay Lee bolts into the zone pass to Roy who shoots the puck and puck slides in from a skate of German player, 4-3. 2:09 left in the 3rd, high stick by Kink but no call by the referees, Canada played with 6 guys, Timeout Germany with 1:04 left, Canada won the face-off applied pressure but a sensation was set to happen - Germany will face Team Russia in the Olympic final.