SUI 0:5 RUS | Switzerland - Russia (World Championship)

World Championship

Switzerland – Russia	0:5 (end)	\|	France2 – Canada2	3:2 (1:0 after SO)	\|	Belarus – USA	1:6 (end)
Slovakia2 – Czech Republic	2:3 (after OT)

final

Switzerland

0:5 (0:3, 0:1, 0:1)

Russia

Friday 09.05.2014, 15:45 • Minsk Arena • World Championship

		That is all from the first match from Minsk Arena today, but stay tuned for evenings clash between Belarus and USA, which starts at 19:45 CET. (18:01:31)
		Best players of the match are Damien Brunner from Team Switzerland and Russian goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovski.
		Russians decided the game in the first period when they built a comfortable lead with three goals, which they supported by one strike in every other period. They scored their last in the 59th minute as Ovechkin found unguarded striker Zaripov, who had enough space and time to make it 5:0 for his team. Russian goalkeeper Bobrovski didn't have much work and blocked all the shots to get the first shut-out of the tournament.
		The match is over and Team Russia is celebrating a well deserved victory!
	60:00	Game over.
	58:25	Goal for Team Russia! Team Russia is going for a great win in this match! Alexander Ovechkin found DANIS ZARIPOV in between the circles and Zaripov had plenty of time to make a perfect shot! Russia now lead by five. Assisted by Ovechkin.
	57:59	Kukan gets his time on the ice, but couldn't make anything special as he reached the corner with no support of his teammates.
	56:59	We don't see much interesting actions lately as both teams know that its already sure who is going to win this one.
	55:57	Fine shot by Moser from the blue line, but it got blocked before it could even reach Bobrovski.
	54:38	Kevin Fiala, the youngest player in this match, tried to get between two defenders, and when he couldn't find the way, he tried a desperate shot, which was deflected.
	53:57	Russians are playing simply, trying not to risk any puck and it pays of. Shipachyov passed the puck to Ovechkin to the left circle, Russian captain tried a shot which was blocked, but the puck returned to Shipachyov.
	52:26	Brunner once again with a shot after Moser set him into a good position, but the puck didn't find its way through.
	51:34	Damien Brunner struggled to keep the puck in the corner but was lucky in the end, got past defender and tried to Surprise Bobrovski with a backhand shot, but hit just the post!
	50:57	Suri tried one from distance, but there was no screen nor traffic in front of Bobrovski, who didn't have any problem stopping this one.
	50:04	Swiss now have more of the puck, but can't find way into the attacking zone. Or they lose it immediately.
	49:03	Russians are controlling the game and don't hurry.
	48:18	Grossman stole the puck and tried to get into a better position, but lost it again when you didn't get past the defender.
	47:35	Plotnikov was looking literally for anyone, but found only Swiss players. They now have the puck.
	46:20	...but he decided to wait for teammates to change on the ice.
	46:33	Seger gets the puck from Genoni and can start counterattack...
	45:20	Belov found himself in a great chance in front of Genoni after pass by Dadonov but he simply could find a way to put it into the net!
	44:31	Hollenstein headed into the corner, but passed the puck back to the blue line to Seger who fires a huge one-timer, but Bobrovski made a save with his shoulder!
	44:00	Genoni collects the loose puck and covers it.
	43:17	It looked like a power-play by Russians as Tikhonov and Zaripov kept the puck and combined around the net, but they just couldn't find a place and time to shot.
	42:45	Ovechkin fires hard after a nice pass, but find only Genoni who was prepared!
	42:17	Visiting team at full strength.
	42:04	Shipachyov tried a smart wrister and missed the net just by inches!
	40:55	Swiss played well, moved the puck quickly and got it to Yannick Weber on the blue line. Weber tried one timer, didn't hit defender, but the puck went wide.
	40:17	Hooking is called against Orlov (RUS), power-play for Team Switzerland.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Next period begins at 16:23 CET.
		Team Russia continued playing with a great self-esteem which earned them lead by four after forty minutes of the game. Anton Belov added the only goal of the second period as he surprised Genoni with a hard shot from the top of the right circle which found its way behind the back of Swiss goalkeeper.
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:50	Fiala was behind the net looking for Ambuhl, made the pass, but the puck couldn't make it through the traffic.
	39:23	Face-off in Russian attacking zone.
	38:59	Ambuhl fires one just after crossing the blue line, Bobrovski couldn't see much, but still made a perfect save with his left leg.
	38:31	Genoni has to go behind his net to stop the puck.
	37:44	Bobrovski had to reach for the puck, but it was more likely a misplaced pass by Grossmann than a shot the could end in the net of experienced goalkeeper at this level.
	37:21	Deflected shot and puck goes over the board, face-off in front of Genoni.
	37:01	Home team at full strength. Not a good power-play this time by Team Russia.
	36:36	Swiss defenders get rid of the puck, which is now behind the Russian net.
	35:50	Face-off in the neutral zone. Russians could not find a way into the attacking zone.
	35:01	Brunner tried to round the net and surprise Bobrovski, but he made a great sliding save to avoid it! Brunner (SUI) than had to hurry back to stop counter attack and gets called for tripping.
	34:13	Great combination by Plotnikov and Shipachyov who sets up Ovechkin in a great position, but he couldn't find way to put it behind Genoni this time!
	33:20	Ambuhl steals the puck in the neutral zone, gives it to Hollenstein and he tries a wristshot from the blue line, but the puck hit the sticks of defenders and goes high again.
	32:19	Reto Suri with a surprising shot after the face-off, but the puck got blocked and went very high above the border.
	32:15	Rufenacht collected the pass from behind the net and shot immediately, Schappi made a great screen in front of Bobrovski, but he somehow made a great save and covered the puck for face-off!
	31:47	Schappi loses the puck in the neutral zone to Russian defenders, but they don't hurry.
	30:41	Great chances on both sides! Medvedev could finish Russian counter attack with a shot, but he broke his stick during it. Bartschi collected the puck and went on Bobrovski, got into the right circle and tried to find an unprotected spot, but Bobrovski covered this one!
	29:06	Goal for Team Russia! Bitter moment for Genoni as he concedes for the fourth time in this game! ANTON BELOV took a hard shot, puck went on the ice and found a spot between the legs of Swiss goalkeeper! Assisted by Kulyomin and Shirokov.
	28:57	Shirokov with a shot, but Genoni saw it all along and blocked it without a problem.
	27:48	Romy with a chance and shot from a great position, but he got blocked at the very last moment!
	26:49	Cunti got easily through the neutral zone, crossed the blu line and was looking for Hollenstein, but he couldn't keep the puck and Team Switzerland loses the zone.
	26:09	Bartschi had the puck behind the net of Bobrovski, tried to surprise defenders with behind the back pass, but it finds no one but Bobrovski who covers it.
	25:20	Home team at full strength.
	25:01	Blocked shot and the puck went high and wide, Genoni didn't have to make a save.
	24:52	Another won face-off by Russians as they control the game at the moment.
	24:23	Swiss defenders get the loose puck and fires it forwards,
	23:38	Bobrovski has the puck and moves it forward.
	23:20	Stancescu (SUI) wanted to get rid of the puck, which he did, but it went over the boards and its a minor penalty for delaying the game.
	22:50	Anisimov and Shirokov went agains lonely defender, Anisimov kept the puck and tried long forehand trick, got past Genoni, but missed the open net!
	22:09	Bobrovski had to move quickly to the other side to stop the shot by Brunner.
	21:43	Belov wanted to bounce the puck of the board, but it was too long and icing is called.
	21:11	Swiss players managed to send the puck into the neutral zone, but Russians have it again.
	20:35	Ovechkin with a quick wrester from the center, but Genoni was prepared.
	20:09	Genoni has the puck and had to cover it in front of Ovechkin.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Second period should start in one minute.
		First period is over and Russians have comfortable lead. Plotnikov scored int the first minute of the game with a fine wristshot from the right circle, Ovechkin added second goal in power-play after a slapshot and Kuznetsov netted the third with a smart deflection in front of Genoni. Bobrovski on the other side of the ice didn't have to solve any complicated situations.
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:50	Bartschi tried a backhand deke after he collected blocked shot, but Bobrovski left no space at his right post.
	19:10	Swiss players have the puck, but not the space. They have to go back to the neutral zone.
	17:15	Goal for Team Russia! VADIM SHIPACHYOV was at the right spot in front of Genoni! Shipachyov returned from the penalty box and hurried in front of the net, Chudinov took a shot from the top of the left circle and Shipachyov deflected the puck into the net! Assistsed by Chudinov.
	17:00	Both teams are playing at full strength.
	16:15	Danis Zaripov didn't wait for anything, crossed the blue line and decided to take a shot around the legs of defender, but Genoni finds the puck in his glove.
	14:59	Shipachyov (RUS) played with the puck so long he lost it to Schappi (SUI) and had to tripp him. Schappi did the same just a second later, both get minor penalty.
	13:17	Visiting team at full strength.
	12:58	Weber with a hard shot from distance, but it got deflected and went badly wide.
	12:39	Bobrovski with a fine save, another face-off in front of Russian goalkeeper.
	11:56	Kulyomin got the puck and speed on the left side, waited for Anisimov to get in front of Genoni and then passed him the puck, but Genoni got a piece of it and stopped the puck with his left leg!
	11:17	Ovechkin (RUS) gets two minute penalty for slashing.
	10:20	Medvedev got easily to the centre of the attacking zone and hits the post with a quick wristshot!
	09:47	Visiting team at full strength.
	09:15	Seger tried a shot when Bobrovski could see anything, but Russian goalkeeper managed to block the puck and with help of his defenders, he kept it away from the net.
	08:11	Grossmann caught the puck before it crossed the blue line, but Russians got to it again.
	07:47	Switzerland has a chance to pull one back. Chudinov (RUS) goes to the penalty box for tripping.
	06:34	Goal for Team Russia! Russians are successful this time! They moved the puck easily from the right circle to the left, where ALEXANDER OVECHKIN finds a spot between the body and the hand of Genoni! Assisted by Zaripov and Belov.
	06:17	Zaripov got easily past Grossmann (SUI) who tried to stop him. Minor penalty for tripping and second power-play for Russia.
	05:51	Home team at full strength. Anisimov had a great chance when he deflected the shot of Kutuzov, but the puck went wide!
	05:29	Puck is in the neutral zone.
	04:59	Artyom Anisimov tried a shot from the right side, Genoni wasn't quiet sure where did the puck go, but kept it under his body.
	04:31	Russians didn't get behind the blue line and have to go back and try again.
	04:05	Tikhonov couldn't rebound the loose puck in front of Genoni and defenders have time to get rid of the puck.
	03:51	First power-play of the match, Seger (SUI) with a minor penalty for hooking.
	03:20	Seger with another quick shot from distance, Bobrovski slides and keeps the puck away.
	02:58	Russians have the puck and time to change their players.
	02:03	Swiss players trying to attack, Schlumpf with a shot from the blue line, but Bobrovski was prepared.
	00:13	Goal for Team Russia! What a start by Russian team! Long pass from defender got blocked, but SERGEI PLOTNIKOV collected the puck on the right and surprised Genoni with a quick snapshot! Assisted by Denisov and Shipachov.
	00:01	Game started.
		...and the crowd goes wild as first Russian players appear in the tunnel from their locker room.
		Swiss players are entering the rink...
		Fans of both nations are now showing their love to their teams while waiting for the opening face-off.
		Five minutes to the start of 2014 IIHF World Championship!
		Swiss players are heading back to their locker room, Russians still on the ice. Fans are slowly pouring into stands of the arena.
		Starting lineups: Switzerland: Genoni – Schlumpf, Josi, Blum, Grossmann, Seger, Weber, Kukan – Moser, Romy, Brunner – Cunti, Holenstein, Bartschi – Ambuhl, Fiala, Suri – Rufenacht, Schappi, Stancescu Russia: Bobrovski – Denisov, Orlov, Kutuzov, Medvedev, Yakovlev, Belov, Zubarev, Chudinov – Ovechkin, Plotnikov, Shipachyov – Kulyomin, Anisimov, Shirokov – Tikhonov, Zaripov, Loktionov – Dadonov, Burmistrov, Kuznetsov Referees: Brueggemann, Jerabek – Carlson, Dehaen.
		Both teams are now entering the arena for pre-match warm-up. 40 minutes left before the opening face-off of this tournament.
		In the opening game in Minsk Arena, we will see game between Switzerland and Russia. Russian team has one goal at this championship – to recover after Olympic games in Sochi, which didn't go as planned. Alexander Ovechkin, Russian superstar, is back once again to help his team, which is aiming for the highest positions. They will do so under new head coach Znaroks, who put himself under some pressure after taking over the national team after failure in Sochi. Switzerland, on the other hand, proved last year that they are not just shy outsiders anymore. Powered by their silver accomplishment, they would want to succeed in their opening game against tough opponent. They will rely on team performance, as their rooster changes only a little over the years – 11 "silver boys" from last year should play today against Russia.
		Welcome to our first online coverage from IIHF World Championship 2014 in Minsk.
		Welcome. Game starts at 15:45.

Commentary by

Lukáš Kratochvíl

@LukasKratoch

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 1. Plotnikov (Denisov, Shipachov), 7. Ovechkin (Zaripov, Belov), 18. Shipachyov (Chudinov), 30. Belov (Kulyomin, Shirokov), 59. Zaripov (Ovechkin)

Switzerland: Genoni – Schlumpf, Josi, Blum, Grossmann, Seger, Weber, Kukan – Moser, Romy, Brunner – Cunti, Holenstein, Bartschi – Ambuhl, Fiala, Suri – Rufenacht, Schappi, Stancescu

Russia: Bobrovski – Denisov, Orlov, Kutuzov, Medvedev, Yakovlev, Belov, Zubarev, Chudinov – Ovechkin, Plotnikov, Shipachyov – Kulyomin, Anisimov, Shirokov – Tikhonov, Zaripov, Loktionov – Dadonov, Burmistrov, Kuznetsov

Referees: Brueggemann, Jerabek – Carlson, Dehaen

Attendance: 13300

1st period
	00:13
	03:51
	06:17
	06:34
	07:47
	11:17
	14:59
	17:15
1st intermission
2nd period
	23:20
	29:06
	35:01
2nd intermission
3rd period
	40:17
	58:25
Final