RUS 7:2 KAZ | Russia - Kazakhstan (World Championship)

World Championship

Czech Republic – Italy veterans	2:0 (end)	\|	Switzerland – Germany2	3:2 (end)	\|	Slovakia2 – Norway	5:2 (end)
Russia – Kazakhstan	7:2 (end)

final

Russia

7:2 (1:0, 3:0, 3:2)

Kazakhstan

Wednesday 14.05.2014, 19:45 • Minsk Arena, Minsk • World Championship

		The final buzzer has indeed sounded, and with yet another simply dazzling display Russia have thrashed Kazakhstan 7-2! The Russians are in awesome form and they can already talk about the quarterfinals. Sergey Plotnikov helped himself to a double as Yegor Yakovlev, Danis Zaripov, Nikolay Kulyomin, Viktor Tikhonov and Alexander Burmistrov also got their names in on the act. It's another game to forget for the Kazakhs, but Mikhail Panshin and Andrey Spiridonov did get a couple of consolation goals. Thanks for following our coverage today with us, and see you again soon for more breathtaking action from the 2014 IIHF World Championships! (22:05:40)
	60:00	Game over.
	59:54	Goal for Team Russia! And they finish with a flourish! ALEXANDER BURMISTROV is found lurking on the slot all on his own and he with ease wrists home! What a performance and it's now 7-2! Assists- Evgeniy Kuznetsov and Evgeniy Dadonov
	59:30	The Russians have been brilliant again today and they are cruising to victory with just 30 seconds remaining
	59:17	Goal for Team Russia! And yet again it's that first line! Viktor Tikhonov cuts in from the right, finds SERGEY PLOTNIKOV directly on the doorstep and he roofs the puck high into the net! Powerplay goal and it's 6-2! Assists- Viktor Tikhonov and Danis Zaripov
	58:57	Alexey Vasilchenko for hooking has been punished and Russia will finish the match on the powerplay
	58:15	Shirokov! After turning all around the net Sergey Shirokov hangs back, shoots in on net and Ivanov sees it round the post!
	57:31	Alexey Ivanov somehow sees Alexander Kutuzov's looping effort from the right hand boards! The netminder seemed to just bat it away there
	56:20	Bobrovskiy relies on his defenders to bail him out as the puck bounced out from his chest and right back into danger! The Russians have relaxed too much somewhat
	55:42	Ovechkin! He just can't score today! Charging down the left flank his low wrist shot aimed at the far corner dribbles across the face of the slot and out!
	55:01	Kazakhstan have suddenly got bags of confidence, and Anton Kazantsev's powerful drive from the point is dived upon by Sergey Bobrovskiy
	53:33	Goal for Team Kazakhstan! The Kazakhs have belatedly decided to turn up at the party! The Russian defence is nowhere as ANDREY SPIRIDONOV skates clean through one on one and goes five hole on the netminder! It's 5-2! Assists- Evgeniy Blokhin and Alexey Ivanov
	52:42	Artyom Anisimov cracks a seriously hard wrister from the right of the crease aiming for the far corner and with Ivanov clutching at straws it flies into the boards!
	51:59	Plotnikov! Sergey Plotnikov gets free on the high slot, looks to go upstairs into the right hand corner but Alexey Ivanov beautifully flashes leather! That's a great save!
	50:53	Alexey Litvinenko for holding has been pulled into the penalty box however and the Kazakhs who will be buoyed by their goal have to go on the penalty kill again
	49:31	Goal for Team Kazakhstan! They have their consolation goal for their efforts! Kevin Dallman slaps the puck into the slot from the right hand boards and MIKHAIL PANSHIN expertly redirects it on target! It's 5-1! Assists- Kevin Dallman and Nikolay Antropov
	49:21	Bobrovskiy! Sergey Bobrovskiy makes a very awkward looking stick save as it travelled in from the high slot!
	48:40	Plotnikov! The puck spins out to the on form Sergey Plotnikov who whips the puck wide of the right post from a very promising position!
	46:44	Sergey Shirokov charges away two on one, but Kazakh defender Kevin Dallman does brilliantly laying on the ice to poke it away at the vital moment!
	46:01	Roman Starchenko picking up the pieces on the right flank after an Anton Kazantsev effort sailed wide can only twist and wrist into Sergey Bobrovskiy's midriff
	44:00	Kazakhstan have at least survived that penalty and they're back at full strength
	43:24	Ovechkin now again tries his luck with a testing wrist shot, but the underfire Alexey Ivanov is equal to it stick side!
	42:45	Ovechkin! Alexander Ovechkin whacks in a first time slapper on the left faceoff circle but he doesn't catch it as he would like!
	42:00	Alexey Vasilchenko for slashing has been called into the penalty box now. The Russians have already scored three on the powerplay today! Their top line is firing on all cylinders
	41:05	Goal for Team Russia! You just have to enjoy this! Yet again the buildup play is nothing short of stunning as an incisive cross ice pass from Sergey Plotnikov finds the open VIKTOR TIKHONOV at the left hand post who with ease finds the net! It's 5-0! Assists- Sergey Plotnikov and Alexander Ovechkin
	40:45	And indeed the Russians have five players on the ice again already
	40:45	The third and most probably final period is underway with the Kazakhs on the powerplay for a further 0:45
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Statistics after the first two periods- Shots on target- 34-10 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 10-30 Penalty minutes- 4-6
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:51	Kazakhstan manage to keep the puck in the attacking zone but they just cannot find room to get an effort on goal away! And it's now the final few seconds of the second stanza
	38:45	Sergey Kalinin for hooking has been penalised and the Kazakhs have a late period powerplay to try and make Sergey Bobrovskiy in the Russian net work
	38:02	But the referees are taking a second look upstairs! Nikolay Kulyomin's powerful slapshot looked to have hung on the line, and that is exactly what the conclusion is! No goal and the score stays at 4-0
	38:02	The mainly Russian crowd inside the Minsk Arena is claiming that the puck went over the line after a very heavy slapper came in from the point! But the referees wave play on!
	36:33	Viktor Tikhonov sniffing around for a juicy rebound off another power rocket from Ovechkin is denied really well by Alexey Ivanov up close! Russia's top line is simply irresistible!
	34:49	Breaking in from the high slot Alexander Ovechkin whips a tasty looking wrister into the boards behind the goal! The Russians are simply playing hockey on a different level to the rest!
	33:40	Anisimov! Nikolay Kulyomin, one of the stars of the tournament so far, passes sharply to Artyom Anisimov who on the right flank cracks a one timer wide of the near post!
	32:41	Nikolay Antropov tries to give the Kazakhs at least some hope, but twisting his way around defenders on the left faceoff circle he fires with pace into Sergey Bobrovskiy's body who covers at the second attempt!
	31:14	Goal for Team Russia! Who can stop them, the Russians are on fire! NIKOLAY KULYOMIN turns sharply into the tip of the slot from the right and unleashes an irresistible wrist shot into the right hand corner! Fantastic goal and it's 4-0!
	30:40	Sergey Shirokov has a goalbound looking high wrist shot batted down out of the air by what looks like a Russian glove and it trickles only inches wide of the post! That was close!
	28:32	Dadonov! Fantastic skating skills are shown off by Evgeniy Dadonov slashing his way into the crease, he sharply cuts around to the right post for a wraparound but he can't stuff it home!
	27:12	Anton Belov attempts a thunderous slapper from the point which clatters into traffic in front of him! That would have been hard to repel!
	26:01	Alexander Ovechkin sprinting into the slot can only slap into Alexey Ivanov's chest who brilliantly saves! The Russian attack is operating at full steam ahead, it's wonderful to see!
	25:46	Kuznetsov! Swinging right around the net from the left Evgeniy Kuznetsov lets a really dangerous wrister go that smashes into the side netting!
	25:13	Sergey Bobrovskiy comfortably covers up a low and fairly weak pass into the crease. He has had barely anything to do so far!
	23:26	And on that note Kazakhstan take a timeout, they're burning up here especially giving away such needless penalties!
	23:26	Goal for Team Russia! They're tearing the Kazakhs to pieces! Quite beautiful combination play is finished off by DANIS ZARIPOV who ones times the puck into the net from the doorstep, powerplay goal and it's 3-0! Assists- Viktor Tikhonov and Sergey Plotnikov
	23:12	The Kazakhs are coming under serious pressure now and rather foolishly they are again going on the penalty kill, for hooking Alexey Vasilchenko has been penalised
	22:07	Goal for Team Russia! And they do indeed grab their second goal! Danis Zaripov charging into the slot loses control of the puck, it falls at the feet of YEGOR YAKOVLEV who wrists neatly home from the right! Powerplay goal and it's 2-0! Assists- Danis Zaripov and Anton Belov
	21:49	Dmitriy Upper for interference has been called into the penalty box and Russia have an early second period powerplay chance to try and double their money
	20:49	Pushkaryov! Feeding off a poor Russian turnover Konstantin Pushkaryov wrists wide of the left hand post with almost only Sergey Bobrovskiy to beat!
	20:05	Here we go in the second period and Russia are now back at full strength
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Statistics after the opening period of play- Shots on target- 15-5 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 5-14 Penalty minutes- 2-2
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:40	Andrey Spiridnov wrists into Sergey Bobrovskiy's chest stick side and that isn't going to cause the Russian star any problems. And we're now into the final seconds of the first period
	19:06	Krasnoslobodtsev! You have to say he should have scored there! Talgat Zhailauov finds a hole in the Russian defence on the left, he dishes it over to the far post where Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev flicks it wide where it seemed impossible to miss!
	18:05	For cross checking Alexander Ovechkin is off to the penalty box and Kazakhstan have a powerplay chance to at least get some shots on Sergey Bobrovskiy's net
	17:37	Russia commit icing after the Kazakh goalkeeper had to make a couple of very solid saves off testing shots from distance! Despite conceding he has been very solid so far
	16:32	The Kazakh defence just cannot cope with the Russians right now! Alexander Burmistrov is just too close to the goal off a killer Evgeniy Kuznetsov pass from the right, and the big Alexey Ivanov spreads himself to save!
	15:59	Kalinin! Sergey Kalinin after Danis Zaripov hesitated is found open on the doorstep but he completely misses the puck! The Russians are really settling into their game and their goal would have only helped them
	14:24	Goal for Team Russia! It has been coming in the last few minutes! Alexander Ovechkin barges the defenders out of his way, off Viktor Tikhonov's skate finds the open SERGEY PLOTNIKOV who with the netminder out of the picture scores! Powerplay goal and it's 1-0! Assists- Viktor Tikhonov and Alexander Ovechkin
	13:36	Andrey Spiridonov for high sticking has been sent to the penalty box and the Russians have a powerplay to keep the pressure on
	13:23	And now Alexander Burmistrov cutting in to the left of the crease fires high and wide when it seemed easier to hit the net! Russia are starting to motor!
	13:01	Zaripov! How didn't he score! A fantastic play by Alexander Ovechkin feeds the open Danis Zaripov on the slot, but his tame poke from point blank range is fended off by Ivanov! What a chance to open up the scoring!
	12:38	Mikhail Panshin for the Kazakhs looks for Sergey Bobrovskiy to give up a rebound with a long high wrister from distance, but the Russian grabs and holds easily
	11:58	Anisimov! This time he does get a shot away exactly from the same position, but the netminder kicks it wide!
	11:40	Artyom Anisimov bullies his way through the opposition defence but in the end he's shuffled off the puck, Russia are having all of the possession, but they have had very few clear chances so far
	10:01	Alexander Ovechkin with a clever pass onto to the slot seeks out Sergey Kalinin but Kazakh defenders crowd him out!
	08:41	Evgeniy Medvedev all of a sudden looked to be bursting through one on one but the whistle had already been blown for offside!
	07:58	Kuznetsov! Gathering up the loose puck on the right faceoff circle Evgeniy Kuznetsov drives in but can hammer only into Alexey Ivanov's midriff!
	07:24	Sergey Bobrovskiy makes his first save of the evening as he scoops up a low Konstantin Pushkaryov wrister from the right
	05:22	Alexander Kutuzov takes aim from the point, but Ivanov gets his body behind it comfortably
	05:12	Tikhonov! Completely free on the right close range Viktor Tikhonov waits for the goalkeeper to commit, but Alexey Ivanov stands his ground and it comes to nothing!
	03:49	Nikolay Kulyomin battling away on the slot just cannot force the bobbling puck home from practically on the goal line! That was a real goalmouth scramble!
	02:59	Spiridonov! The loose puck rolls to Andrey Spiridonov at the left of the slot but he fires high and wide!
	02:28	Russia commit icing just after a Kazakh pass from behind the net sailed all the way through and out
	01:34	Danis Zaripov charges through the center of the zone, the puck gets away from him on the crease and Alexey Ivanov dives on it
	00:47	Sergey Shirokov dumps the puck across the slot from the right hand boards but no one can catch up with it. Russia have immediately started aggressively
	00:24	We're underway! Russia will be looking to avoid any slip ups this evening
	00:01	Game started.
		The teams are already out on to the ice and it's almost time to get underway!
		Starting lineups: Russia: Bobrovskiy (Khudobin)- Chudinov, Denisov, Ovechkin, Tikhonov, Plotnikov- Kutuzov, Medvedev, Shirokov, Kulyomin, Anisimov- Belov, Yakovlev, Zaripov, Kalinin- Burmistrov, Dadonov, Kuznetsov Kazakhstan: Ivanov (Yeremeyev)- Dallman, Blokhin, Rymarev, Starchenko, Antropov- Kazantsev, Semyonov, Upper, Pushkaryov, Romanov- Savchenko, Litvienko, Zhailauov, Polischuk, Krasnoslobodtsev- Vasilchenko, Lakiza, Spiridonov, Gavrilin, Panshin Referees: Piechazeck, Ronn, Nord, Schrader, Suominen.
		Russia have started in simply awesome fashion, beating the Swiss 5-0, Finland 4-2, and the Americans 6-1. The Kazakhs on the other hand have had a nightmare so far, losing to Germany 2-1 after penalty shots, then to Belarus 4-1 and going down narrowly to Latvia 5-4.
		This is how Group B looks like before this game gets going. 1. RUS W3 L0 GS 15 GA 3 PTS 9 2. USA W2 L1 GS 10 GA 9 PTS 6 3. LAT W2 L1 GS 10 GA 9 PTS 6 4. BLR W2 L1 GS 9 GA 10 PTS 6 5. GER W2 L2 GS 7 GA 10 PTS 5 6. FIN W1 L2 GS 8 GA 7 PTS 3 7. SUI W1 L3 GS 8 GA 14 PTS 3 8. KAZ W0 L3 GS 6 GA 11 PTS 1
		Russia and Kazakhstan know each other pretty well. Practically the whole Kazakh team plays for Barys Astana, a KHL outfit, and the Russians have played against these players many a time. The Russians are most certainly clear favourites, but Kazakhstan won't give them an easy ride.
		Good evening and welcome to this 2014 IIHF World Championship Group B game between Russia and Kazakhstan. While there maybe a clear favourite tonight, this one is going to be very interesting indeed.
		Welcome. Game starts at 19:45.

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 15. Plotnikov (Tikhonov, Ovechkin), 23. Yakovlev (Zaripov, Belov), 24. Zaripov (Tikhonov, Plotnikov), 32. Kulyomin, 42. Tikhonov (Plotnikov, Ovechkin), 60. Plotnikov (Tikhonov, Zaripov), 60. Burmistrov (Kuznetsov, Dadonov) – 50. Panshin (Dallman, Antropov), 54. Spiridonov (Blokhin, Ivanov)

Russia: Bobrovskiy (Khudobin)- Chudinov, Denisov, Ovechkin, Tikhonov, Plotnikov- Kutuzov, Medvedev, Shirokov, Kulyomin, Anisimov- Belov, Yakovlev, Zaripov, Kalinin- Burmistrov, Dadonov, Kuznetsov

Kazakhstan: Ivanov (Yeremeyev)- Dallman, Blokhin, Rymarev, Starchenko, Antropov- Kazantsev, Semyonov, Upper, Pushkaryov, Romanov- Savchenko, Litvienko, Zhailauov, Polischuk, Krasnoslobodtsev- Vasilchenko, Lakiza, Spiridonov, Gavrilin, Panshin

Referees: Piechazeck, Ronn, Nord, Schrader, Suominen

Attendance: 12299

1st period
	13:36
	14:24
	18:05
1st intermission
2nd period
	21:49
	22:07
	23:12
	23:26
	31:14
	38:45
2nd intermission
3rd period
	41:05
	42:00
	49:31
	50:53
	53:33
	58:57
	59:17
	59:54
Final