Finland – Czech Republic 2:1 (2:0 after SO) | Sweden2 – Russia 2:0 (end)
final
Sweden2
2:0 (1:0, 0:0, 1:0)
Russia
Sunday 04.05.2014, 16:00 • Ericsson Globe Arena, Stockholm • Euro Hockey Tour
     
    There's the final buzzer, and Sweden have beaten Russia 2-0 to record their first and final victory of the Oddset Hockey Games! They came under serious pressure for the whole of the 60 minutes, but they weathered the storm and took their chances with Linus Klasen and Mikael Backlund finding the back of the net. Thanks for following the game with us, and join us again on Friday for the start of the long awaited 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships! (18:21:22)
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    59:48
    Joacim Eriksson holds on to the puck to freeze for his last save with now only a few seconds remaining
     
    59:18
    Alexander Ovechkin free lurking on the left can't get a clean slapshot away when well positioned!
     
    58:43
    Russia have taken a timeout, they know that to somehow save this game they have to score with every chance which will come their way
     
    58:21
    We're already now into the final two minutes and Anton Khudobin has been pulled for the extra skater!
     
    56:10
    Orlov! As Dmitriy Orlov is fed on the right following a brisk counterattack his effort is well blocked by laying defenders in front of him!
     
    54:53
    Sweden manage to hold the puck in the Russian zone for a decent amount of time, but the eventual slapshot from the point drifts well off target
     
    53:09
    The Russians move offside with just under seven minutes remaining in the third period
     
    51:26
    Russia are having all the possession but getting set up in the zone is a real problem, Sweden are defending successfully
     
    50:10
    Russia just cannot buy a goal today and the Swedes are already back at full strength
     
    49:31
    Shipachyov cuts sharply into the slot on the right but fires high and wide! And that came just after Alexander Ovechkin had a heavy slapper blocked at source
     
    48:10
    Surprise surprise we have another penalty. Andreas Thuresson for checking from behind has been given a 2+10 penalty, and for now it's a five on three Russian powerplay with Sergey Plotnikov coming back into the game!
     
    47:26
    Jimmie Ericsson for high sticking against Alexander Ovechkin has now been punished. This game has simply been full of penalties all over the place!
     
    47:26
    The attendance inside the Ericsson Globe Arena today is 6677
     
    46:22
    That was a pretty short powerplay though. Sergey Plotnikov for high sticking has now been sent to the penalty box
     
    45:29
    Despite that second goal Russia do have a powerplay chance here to get back in to it, Jonas Ahnelov has been penalised for delaying the game
     
    45:26
    Goal for Team Sweden! The tournament hosts have doubled their advantage! MIKAEL BACKLUND is picked out skating completely unmarked down the center of the zone and he beats the goalkeeper blocker side, it's 2-0! Assists- Joakim Lindstrom
     
    44:25
    Klasen! Jinus Klasen, as yet the only goalscorer today, from the left of the slot looks to go upstairs into the near post but he just misses the target!
     
    43:33
    Shipachyov! The puck pops out to Vadim Shipachyov on the doorstep but he can only wrist into the netminder's chest!
     
    43:24
    Sweden commit icing
     
    43:05
    And we have some team news for you, Anton Glinkin has been drafted in for the final stanza for Russia in place of Evgeniy Dadonov
     
    40:37
    Russia start the third period in the attack as Evgeniy Medvedev wrists the puck well wide from the point. They have been far the faster side today but so far they just cannot find the back of the net!
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods-

    Shots (on target)- 28 (16)- 36 (18)
    Faceoffs- 23-18
    Penalty minutes- 22-8
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    39:40
    Anton Khudobin doesn't take any risks at his right hand post, covering a low wrister for a faceoff
     
    39:36
    Evgeniy Kuznetsov is now back into the game for Russia with the second period in its final few seconds
     
    38:40
    Sweden are now back to full strength and their powerplay continues for just under a minute
     
    37:36
    This game really is being littered with penalties! Evgeniy Kuznetsov is the latest to receive one, this time for hooking
     
    36:40
    A powerplay that lasted all of 16 seconds. Jimmie Ericsson has been called for hooking and for now it's four on four hockey
     
    36:24
    Daniel Rahimi for abusing the officials is also sitting in the penalty box, but it's a ten minute penalty which allows Sweden to carry on playing on the powerplay
     
    36:24
    Denis Denisov for roughing has been punished with Dick Axelsson of Sweden being helped off the ice, the penalty though is indeed only a two minute minor
     
    35:49
    Ovechkin! Swedish defenders cough up the puck to Russia's superstar Alexander Ovechkin, he slaps the puck with force on the doorstep but completely misses the net!
     
    33:57
    Rasmussen! Dennis Rasmussen swings around the net to the right of the crease, wrists into the near post but Khudobin stands his ground!
     
    33:37
    But the Russians couldn't create a thing on that powerplay and Sweden have five players on the ice again
     
    31:37
    Jonas Ahnelov for hooking has been sent to the penalty box to give Russia a powerplay to keep the pressure on
     
    31:16
    The pipes once again come to Sweden's rescue! Evgeniy Dadonov from the left faceoff circle takes aim but he smacks the bar, we all heard that!
     
    30:41
    Zaitsev! Nikita Zaitsev is found free at the high slot, he attempts a wrist shot into the right hand post but Joacim Eriksson fields it for his first save!
     
    29:45
    All of a sudden the heroic Anders Nilsson has been pulled in favour of Joacim Eriksson, and as far as I can see Nilsson isn't injured. It's certainly a surprising decision!
     
    29:41
    Russia most certainly came the closest to scoring on that Swedish powerplay and they're now back to full strength
     
    28:38
    Plotnikov! Sergey Plotnikov draws a quite wonderful save out of Nilsson! Free on the right of the crease on a shorthanded breakaway Plotnikov slaps the puck into what appears an open corner of the net but Anders Nilsson somehow catches it! What a save!
     
    27:41
    Ilya Zubov has been punished for hooking and Sweden have a powerplay opportunity to double their money
     
    27:22
    Icing's committed by Russia
     
    27:04
    Khudobin gloves up a dump into the zone from the boards to cover up for a faceoff. He really hasn't had a lot of work to do so far
     
    25:52
    Sweden have just about survived that penalty and they're back at full strength
     
    24:49
    Dmitriy Orlov opens up at the blue line, he slaps the puck with all his might but it clings hard off the right hand post! The Russians just cannot score!
     
    23:52
    Linus Klasen for holding has been penalised and Russia have yet another powerplay chance to get on the board
     
    23:38
    Fransson! Johan Fransson is left completely unmarked on the left, he goes for a hard slapper into the far corner but Khudobin makes a solid glove save!
     
    22:55
    Dadonov! The Swedes are again caught out at the back, Evgeniy Dadonov skates powerfully on to the crease but can't slide the puck under Anders Nilsson!
     
    22:36
    Anton Khudobin sweeps up a dangerous wrister from the left faceoff circle for his first save of the stanza
     
    21:15
    Shirokov! Sergey Shirokov has the first chance in the second period as he picks up the loose puck, drives in hard from the left but from right up close he fires only into the goalkeeper's chest! What a chance to equalize!
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play-

    Shots (on target)- 10 (7)- 19 (8)
    Faceoffs- 9-8
    Penalty minutes- 6-2
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    19:57
    Evgeniy Kuznetsov now forces his way through the home defence but' can't make the right decision at the final moment! Russia are seeing plenty of chances come their way
     
    19:30
    We're already now into the final 30 seconds of the first period with Sweden so far with the upper hand
     
    18:54
    That powerplay came and went quickly and Sweden are back at full strength
     
    17:50
    Alexander Ovechkin causes mayhem on the Swedish crease but somehow the home defence manages to clear! On a number of occasions the puck came close to crossing the line!
     
    16:54
    It wasn't a full strength game for long as Mattias Ekholm for tripping against the onrushing Vadim Shipachyov has been sent to the penalty box
     
    16:30
    Sweden couldn't get set up in the zone during that powerplay and their opponents are back to full strength
     
    15:18
    Dadonov! On a shorthanded two on one breakaway Evgeniy Dadonov skates away on the right, shoots himself looking for the far corner but the puck travels only into the boards!
     
    14:30
    Anton Belov for high sticking has been sent to the penalty box and for the first time today Sweden are going to the powerplay
     
    13:28
    Denisov! Denis Denisov gets free at the point, closes in slightly before unleashing a fearsome slapper which flies inches wide!
     
    11:58
    Sweden ice the puck. Russia started much the brighter side and the visitors will be disappointed to concede first
     
    11:09
    Goal for Team Sweden! They've had nothing to cheer about so far but they strike first! LINUS KLASEN finishes off a flowing move by sweeping the puck home at the right hand post, it's 1-0! Assists- Daniel Rahimi and Dennis Rasmussen
     
    10:10
    Linus Klasen skates hard on the left flank for the hosts, wrists powerfully into Anton Khudobin's pads and on the rebound the netminder dives on the puck to freeze!
     
    09:24
    Russia's powerplay isn't really clicking as yet and it's a five on five hockey game again
     
    08:24
    Alexander Ovechkin gets away a snapshot from distance but Swedish defenders close it down at source!
     
    07:24
    Sweden just can't get going and they've picked up another penalty, Jimmie Ericsson for slashing has now been called
     
    07:02
    Anders Nilsson spreads himself well to cover up a dangerous puck right on the slot. Russia have started much the more dangerous side
     
    06:38
    Evgeniy Dadonov breaks through on his own on the right, cuts sharply in towards the crease but can't get a clean shot away!
     
    06:12
    Sweden defended against that penalty very solidly and they're back at full strength
     
    04:53
    Sergey Plotnikov closing down on the left wrists directly into Anders Nilsson's body! And the referees have to split up a mini brawl directly afterwards
     
    04:12
    We have the first penalty of the game and it's against Niklas Olausson of Sweden for holding
     
    03:45
    Sweden commit icing. They're yet to have get away any shots on Anton Khudobin
     
    03:26
    Shipachyov! Vadim Shipachyov receives the puck on the doorstep, shoots first time but the goalkeeper just gets there with his pads!
     
    01:50
    Anton Belov for Russia takes aim from the blue line, but his slapper flies wide of the left hand post
     
    00:56
    Sweden have taken early possession of the puck but they so far can't get set up in the Russian zone
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    The teams are now out on to the ice and after the Swedish and Russian national anthems we'll have the opening faceoff!
     
    Starting lineups:

    Sweden: Nilsson (Eriksson)- Ekholm, Fransson, Lindstrom, Backlund, Moller- Nygren, Andersen, Axelsson, Olausson, Klasen- Burstrom, Ahnelov, Ericsson, Sjogren, Karlsson- Hersley, Rahimi, Danielsson, Rasumssen, Thuresson

    Russia: Khudobin (Vasilevskiy)- Denisov, Orlov, Ovechkin, Shipachyov, Plotnikov- Belov, Yakovlev, Tikhonov, Loktionov, Kuznetsov- Medvedev, Kutuzov, Kalinin, Zubov, Dadonov- Nikulin, Zaitsev, Shirokov, Burmistrov, Kulyomin

    Referees: Boman, Kaukokari, Dahmen, Yletyinen.
     
    These are the current standings of the Oddset Hockey Games before this game gets underway;

    1. FIN W3 L0 GS 7 GA 4 PTS 7
    2. CZE W1 L2 GS 4 GA 10 PTS 4
    3. RUS W1 L1 GS 7 GA 2 PTS 3
    4. SWE W0 L2 GS 4 GA 6 PTS 1
     
    This is the third and final round of games in the Oddset Hockey Games in Sweden, with the hosts having lost their first two games 4-3 to the Czech Republic and 3-2 on penalty shots to Finland. Russia started poorly with a 2-1 defeat to Finland, but got back on track with a thumping 6-0 thrashing of the Czechs yesterday.
     
    Sweden have had a rotten time of it in this year's Euro Hockey Tour, collecting only ten points so far and languishing in last place despite being the reigning world champions. Russia aren't fairing too much better though, sitting in second place with 15 points.
     
    Good afternoon and welcome to this Euro Hockey Tour match between two of ice hockey's superpowers, Sweden and Russia. This is the final match of the Oddset Hockey Games in Sweden, and it's a great opportunity for both teams to get ready for the upcoming World Championships.
     
    Welcome. Game starts at 16:00.
    Commentary by

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals & lineups Match log
    Goals and assists: 12. Klasen (Rahimi, Rasmussen), 46. Backlund (Lindstrom)

    Sweden2: Nilsson (Eriksson)- Ekholm, Fransson, Lindstrom, Backlund, Moller- Nygren, Andersen, Axelsson, Olausson, Klasen- Burstrom, Ahnelov, Ericsson, Sjogren, Karlsson- Hersley, Rahimi, Danielsson, Rasumssen, Thuresson
    Russia: Khudobin (Vasilevskiy)- Denisov, Orlov, Ovechkin, Shipachyov, Plotnikov- Belov, Yakovlev, Tikhonov, Loktionov, Kuznetsov- Medvedev, Kutuzov, Kalinin, Zubov, Dadonov- Nikulin, Zaitsev, Shirokov, Burmistrov, Kulyomin
    Referees: Boman, Kaukokari, Dahmen, Yletyinen
    Attendance: 6677