AUT 4:8 RUS | Austria - Russia (World Championship)

World Championship

Latvia – France2	3:1 (end)	\|	Denmark – Belarus	3:2 (end)	\|	Austria – Russia	4:8 (end)
Canada2 – Slovenia2	4:3 (after OT)

final

Austria

4:8 (3:3, 1:3, 0:2)

Russia

Monday 13.05.2013, 19:15 • World Championship

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		Players of the match: Thomas Vanek (Austria) – Ilya Nikulin (Russia)
		The Austrians tried everything to avoid relegation and even were the better team during most of the first two period where they were able to keep the result at 4-4 long time. In the end though Russia showed their class as a top team with high efficiency and earned a maybe too high but not undeserved 8-4 win against Austria who now have to go back to Division IA – together with Slovenia of the Stockholm group. Shots on goal: Austria 10 (36) – Russia 6 (18)
	60:00	Game over.
	59:47	Evgeny Kuznetsov with a last shot on goal but his scoring attempt from the blue line went past the right post.
	59:21	Dangerous cross-pass in front of the Austrian net, all players missed the puck.
	58:57	The Russians are back at full strength.
	58:34	Finally a shot towards the Russian net by the Austrian power play formation but the puck goes wide.
	56:57	Sergei Mozyakin (Russia) gets two minutes for interference.
	56:40	In these last minutes this match has more of a training session. Both teams try something but without real pressure behind.
	54:57	One-timer by an Austrian from the right circle, blocked by Varlamov.
	54:21	Another short distance opportunity for Austria but since the 4-4 the Russian defense is doing a great job.
	53:10	The Russians are back at full strength.
	52:32	A lot of space for Thomas Vanek and Austria's NHL star tries it with a shot from a half left position that is blocked by the Russian defense.
	51:54	Offside call against the Austrians.
	51:10	Ilya Nikulin (Russia) gets two minutes for tripping.
	51:10	Vanek with the attempt to deflect a pass from the left wing into the net from short distance but Varlamov blocked his shot.
	50:26	Austria's team captain Thomas Vanek tries it with a shot from a half left position, easily blocked to the side by Varlamov.
	49:38	Goal for Team Russia! Pass from behind the Austrian net back towards the slot and EVGENY KUZNETSOV used the space – nobody was close to him in a radius of five metres – and fired a one-timer into the right top corner! No chance for Starkbaum in the Austrian net! Assisted by Kirill Petrov and Anton Belov.
	49:06	Break away for a Russian forward, stopped by Starkbaum in the attempt to deke the goalie out!
	48:32	Alexander Perezhogin is constanly looking for a team colleague to whom he could give a pass inside the Austrian third but always a defender blocks the way.
	47:23	Alexei Tereshchenko received the puck inside the slot and tried it with some sort of back hand one-timer but the puck missed the net.
	45:15	The tension seems to be out of this match completely. The Austrians still try to go into the offense mode but they barely believe themselves in a three-goal comeback.
	44:30	Distance shot by the Austrians, easy save for Varlamov.
	43:35	Offside call against the Russians.
	43:26	Out of the crowd in front of the Russian net the Austrians almost had another goal but the puck went wide.
	41:36	Goal for Team Russia! Pass back to the blue line by Kirill Petrov and NIKITA ZAITSEV tired it with a one-timer at height of the right wing that was deflected into the left top corner by Austria's Robert Lukas who didn't leave his goalie Starkbaum a chance to react! Assisted by Kirill Petrov.
	41:12	Sergei Mozyakin wasn't too sure if he should try it with a blue line shot or give a pass. In the end the puck went wide.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		In the middle period the Austrians again showed a lot of heart but with tremendous efficiency the Russians were able to get a 6-4 lead after 40 minutes which they for sure don't want to give up anymore. Shots on goal: Austria 11 (26) – Russia 7 (12)
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:42	Icing by Austria.
	39:07	Another fast attack by the Russians but the shot from the right circle was kept outside of the net by Starkbaum with a pad save.
	38:38	The Russians are back at full strength.
	37:19	Goal for Team Russia! Another 2-on-2 counter attack for the Russians and this time they score! SERGEI SOIN had two options – give a pass to his team mate to the right or do it himself and he decided to go for the goal He stopped three metres in front of Starkbaum and waited until the two defenders were out of position before he fired the puck past Starkbaum for the 6-4 lead – shorthanded! Assisted by Denis Kokarev.
	37:08	Starkbaum had left his net to keep the puck in play and almost this was punished by the Russian offense.
	37:00	Very long clearance by the Russians.
	36:38	Fyodor Tyutin (Russia) gets two minutes for interference.
	36:38	2-on-2 counter for the Russians but with a strong interception during the final cross-pass Starkbaum avoided the next goal for the favourites.
	36:15	Again Raffl for Austria, this time from within the slot. Varlamov allowed a rebound but no Austrian forward was able to get it.
	35:39	Michael Raffl with a harmless shot from the right wing that goes wide.
	35:11	The Austrians are back at full strength.
	34:28	Big interception by an Austrian defender when Kovalchuk tried a back pass towards the blue line where Nikulin waited but in the end the counter ended without danger for the Russian net.
	34:05	Powerful blue line shot by the Russians, pad save by Starkbaum.
	33:34	Long clearance by the Austrians.
	33:11	Markus Peintner (Austria) gets two minutes for slashing.
	32:40	The Austrians don't look shocked at all after the recent setback but instead they are alreasdy playing with a lot of pressure themselves again.
	31:07	Goal for Team Russia! SERGEI MOZYAKIN received a pass just in front of Starkbaum and then he brought Russia back in front by scoring with his own rebound! Assisted by Ilya Nikulin and Alexander Popov.
	29:30	Probably nobody would have expected such a fantastic game in advance. The more we can enjoy it now! It's a constant up and down for both sides.
	27:41	Goal for Team Austria! The craziness continues in Helsinki! FLORIAN IBERER looked for a team colleague with a hard pass from the right circle but instead he hit the skates of Russia's team captain Ilya Nikulin from where the puck was deflected into the wide open net past the completely surprised and chanceless Varlamov! 4-4, can you believe it?! Assisted by Gregor Baumgartner and Mario Altmann.
	26:48	Michael Raffl with a harmless shot from the left circle, no danger for Varlamov.
	25:53	Another dangerous attack by the East Europeans but the shot went wide from short distance.
	24:50	Goal for Team Russia! The Russians get their second power play goal of the game and are now back in front with a 4-3 lead! Nobody attacked ALEXANDER RADULOV whose powerful shot from the right circle went into the left top corner! Assisted by Ilya Kovalchuk.
	24:10	Thomas Hundertpfund (Austria) gets two minutes for delaying the game.
	23:28	Fast passing play by Austria but in the end Vanek missed the puck at the left post.
	22:45	Russia is slowly preparing the next attack as they have a lot of trouble making it into the Austrian third.
	22:04	Harmless shot on goal by the Austrians.
	21:12	First time in the middle period that the Russians appeared dangerously in front of Starkbaum but they missed the net.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		A spectacular first period that had everything you expect from a hockey game – absolute will, hard checks, beautiful plays and goals – ended with a 3-3. The favourites from Russia had a fast 2-0 lead before the underdogs from Austria – who play with their backs towards the wall – turned the match around! In the end a 5 on 3 power play gave Russia the equalizer! Shots on goal: Austria 15 – Russia 5
	20:00	1st period finished.
	18:32	Goal for Team Russia! With the 5 on 3 advantage the Russians left the underdogs from Austria no chance at all and with a beautiful one-timer from the right circle ILYA NIKULIN scored into the right top corner! Starkbaum wasn't fast enough to get his glove hand high enough! Assisted by Evgeny Medvedev and Ilya Kovalchuk.
	18:12	Thomas Pöck (Austria) a bit overmotivated checks Tereshchenko into the boards and gets 2+10 minutes for misconduct and checking from behind – a short 5 on 3 now for Russia.
	16:52	Gregor Baumgartner (Austria) gets two minutes for high-sticking.
	15:56	Goal for Team Austria! The Austrians play absolutely phenomenal hockey in this first period! Early in the power play they score again – their second goal with a man more on the ice tonight – and turn the match around completely! Not against Slovenia or Denmark but against RUSSIA! Thomas Vanek waited long in a half left position before having a powerful shot that was deflected into the right bottom corner by MICHAEL RAFFL with his stick! What a play! Assisted by Thomas Vanek and Thomas Hundertpfund.
	15:21	Evgeny Kuznetsov (Russia) gets two minutes for high-sticking.
	14:57	Out of a crowd in front of Starkbaum a shot went just wide.
	14:19	After a long pass by the Russians Starkbaum didn't risk anything and covered the puck up before Artyom Anisimov could reach it.
	13:52	Wrap around try by the Austrians but Varlamov deflects the shot wide.
	13:23	Misdirected pass at the own blue line by a Russian defender directly into the skates of Daniel Oberkofler who tried it with a fast blue line shot that was stopped with a glove save by Varlamov.
	12:29	The atmosphere in Helsinki is excellent and fans of both sides are celebrating their teams.
	11:30	Austria want more. They set Russia under huge pressure and force them to mistake in their own defense!
	09:08	Goal for Team Austria! Just after winning a faceoff on the right circle the puck came to Thomas Pöck whose shot was deflected in by THOMAS VANEK with his stick! No chance for Varlamov and what a game! Double for te Austrians in a few seconds! Assisted by Thomas Pöck and Michael Raffl.
	09:05	Artyom Anisimov (Russia) gets two minutes for hooking.
	09:05	Huge opportunity for the Austrians. Thomas Hundertpfund with a brilliant pass from the right circle towards the net and from short distance Michael Raffl was stopped by Varlamov!
	08:56	Goal for Team Austria! After a powerful shot by Robert Lukas the Russian goalie Varlamov wasn't able to avoid a rebound and this was used by MATHIS IBERER to score into the right top corner from short distance! Austria are back in the game! Assisted by Robert Lukas.
	08:14	Goal for Team Russia! The Russians stay extremly effective and double their lead! Alexander Radulov received the pass on the right circle, waited a moment and then gave a perfect cross-pass towards the second post from where ILYA KOVALCHUK scored easily! Very similar to the combination Tereshchenko / Kovalchuk a couple of minutes ago but this time they did it better. Assisted by Alexander Radulov.
	07:32	After a bad pass that ended up back in the neutral zone the Austrians had to restart their attack but in the meantime the Russians were back at full strength.
	06:48	2 on 3 attack by the Russians and one of their forwards just missed the right corner with a back hander from short distance!
	05:46	Michael Raffl with a harmless shot from right to the Russian net but still Varlamov allowed a rebound before his team mates were able to clear the situation.
	05:32	Artyom Anisimov (Russia) gets two minutes for interference. Rather harsh decision by the referees.
	05:32	Artyom Anisimov forced his way through two opponents but just in front of the Austrian goal he was checked and the net was moved out of its original position.
	04:23	Alexei Tereshchenko just tried it with a dangerous cross-pass from the right circle but at the second post Ilya Kovalchuk wasn't able to controll the puck in front of the wide open net!
	03:51	Fast attack by the Austrians, ends with a shot on goal from within the slot but Varlamov was there with an easy save.
	02:45	This was the worst possible start for Austria but now they try to find into the game.
	01:25	Goal for Team Russia! With their first dangerous attack the favourites from Russia get the very early lead! Sergei Mozyakin skated past the left wing before giving a precisepass to the right circle from where ALEXANDER PEREZHOGIN scored into the right corner with a beautiful one-timer when he already was on his knees! Assisted by Sergei Mozyakin and Alexander Popov.
	01:00	As expected Russia tries to take over the initiative from the start.
	00:01	Game started.
		Starting lineups: Austria: Starkbaum (Swette) – Pock, Lakos, Schumnig, Lukas, Altmann, Iberer F., Reichel, Klimbacher – Raffl, Vanek (C), Hundertpfund – Oberkofler, Peintner (A), Baumgartner – Latusa, Kristler, Herburger – Iberer M., Schuller Russia: Varlamov (Koshechkin) – Nikulin (C), Biryukov, Tyutin, Medvedev, Denisov, Belov, Zaitsev – Tereshchenko (A), Radulov, Kovalchuk (A) – Mozyakin, Popov, Perezhogin – Anisimov, Petrov, Kuznetsov – Loktionov, Kokarev, Soin Referees: Croft (USA), Rantala (FIN) – Kilian (NOR), Wilmot (CAN)
		For Austria this match is of significant importance. After Latvia's 3-1 win against France this afternoon the Austrians (5 pts) are on the relegation spot while Latvia and France (both 6 pts) are directly ahead of them. As this match is the last for Austria in the Helsinki group, they need at least one point to avoid relegation this evening. For Russia who are already qualified for the WC quarterfinals it's all about improving their position in the group. If Austria can get the miracle and avoid relegation, we'll see in a few minutes.
		Welcome. Game starts at 13:15 EST / 18:15 GMT / 19:15 CET.

Commentary by

Dennis Mende

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 9. Iberer (Lukas), 10. Vanek (Pöck, Raffl), 16. Raffl (Vanek, Hundertpfund), 28. Iberer (Baumgartner, Altmann) – 2. Perezhogin (Mozyakin, Popov), 9. Kovalchuk (Radulov), 19. Nikulin (Medvedev, Kovalchuk), 25. Radulov (Kovalchuk), 32. Mozyakin (Nikulin, Popov), 38. Soin (Kokarev), 42. Zaitsev (Petrov), 50. Kuznetsov (Petrov, Belov)

Austria: Starkbaum (Swette) – Pock, Lakos, Schumnig, Lukas, Altmann, Iberer F., Reichel, Klimbacher – Raffl, Vanek (C), Hundertpfund – Oberkofler, Peintner (A), Baumgartner – Latusa, Kristler, Herburger – Iberer M., Schuller

Russia: Varlamov (Koshechkin) – Nikulin (C), Biryukov, Tyutin, Medvedev, Denisov, Belov, Zaitsev – Tereshchenko (A), Radulov, Kovalchuk (A) – Mozyakin, Popov, Perezhogin – Anisimov, Petrov, Kuznetsov – Loktionov, Kokarev, Soin

Referees: Croft (USA), Rantala (FIN) – Kilian (NOR), Wilmot (CAN)

1st period
	01:25
	05:32
	08:14
	08:56
	09:05
	09:08
	15:21
	15:56
	16:52
	18:12
	18:32
1st intermission
2nd period
	24:10
	24:50
	27:41
	31:07
	33:11
	36:38
	37:19
2nd intermission
3rd period
	41:36
	49:38
	51:10
	56:57
Final