USA – Czech Republic 3:4 (end) | Russia – France2 3:0 (end) | Canada2 – Finland 2:3 (end)
Sweden2 – Belarus 3:2 (end)
final
Russia
3:0 (1:0, 1:0, 1:0)
France2
Thursday 22.05.2014, 16:00 • Minsk Arena, Minsk • World Championship
     
    Welcome. This quarterfinal game starts at 17:00 EEST local time in Minsk, 16:00 CEST, 18:00 MSK.
     
    Good afternoon and welcome to this 2014 IIHF World Championship quarterfinal match between Russia and France. It's do or die now, with no second chances left for anybody.
     
    The Russians hold a very proud ice hockey tradition, and after recent disappointments at major tournaments, notably at the Olympic Games in Sochi, they are aiming at regaining their reputation again. France isn't such a powerful ice hockey nation as yet, but as recent results have shown they are on the right path.
     
    Russia were in Group B, where they were simply fantastic winning all of their seven games without any slip ups. Indeed they were the only team to not drop a single point during the group stages. The French weren't expected to do well but they have been the surprise of the tournament so far, finishing in fourth place of Group A with 11 points and having notably beaten Canada and Slovakia along the way.
     
    To add a bit of spice to the mix, last year in the group stages of this tournament the French shocked everyone with beating the Russians 2-1. Revenge is very much on the mind of the Russian team today, and their form so far at these championships has shown that they are certainly capable of exacting revenge.
     
    Starting lineups:

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

    France: Huet (Hardy)- Auvitu, Besch, S Da Costa, Bellemare, Roussel- Manavian, Amar, Treille, Meunier, Desrosiers- Dieude Fauvel, Janil, Fleury, Ritz, T Da Costa- Chakiachvili, Tardif, Henderson, Raux, Guttig

    Referees: Jerabek, Kaval, Sidorenko, Carlson, Lederer, Valach.
     
    The teams are now out on to the ice and it's time to get underway!
     
    00:01
    Game started.
     
    00:20
    We're underway! Russia will be looking to play just as well as in the group stages!
     
    00:30
    The Russians get set up in the attack first, but Evgeniy Medvedev's wrister from the point is kicked out by French defenders
     
    00:54
    Kulyomin! Early opening for Russia! Nikolay Kulyomin is picked out open at the left of the crease, but his effort into the near post is blocked well by Cristobal Huet!
     
    01:59
    Alexander Kutuzov twists right around the net, from the right faceoff circle gets a wrist shot away but the netminder is there!
     
    02:16
    And again Alexander Kutuzov is the center of attention as he winds up from the point, but at the second attempt Cristobal Huet manages to gather!
     
    03:32
    Picking up the loose puck just inside the Russian zone Yorick Treille lets rip, but Sergey Bobrovskiy punches it wide with his blocker!
     
    04:21
    Goal for Team Russia! The Russians are always fast starters! ARTYOM ANISIMOV is found unmarked at the right faceoff circle, he cuts in beating his defenders and wrists hard and low into the middle of the net! It's 1-0! Assists- Yegor Yakovlev
     
    05:23
    Russia are looking really up for this already, France can't hold on to the puck at all!
     
    05:54
    Viktor Tikhonov lurking on the doorstep gets a powerful shot away under pressure, but it's charged down at source!
     
    06:50
    Anton Belov breaking down the left flank instead of looking for someone on the slot goes for it himself, but it's right down the goaltender's throat
     
    07:54
    The French do now manage to stay inside the Russian zone for a decent amount of time, but the eventual shot from the high slot doesn't get past covering defenders
     
    09:05
    Julien Desrosiers tries to twist around all of his opponents to the right of the slot, but as he gets a low effort away it trickles into Sergey Bobrovskiy's glove
     
    09:22
    We have the first penalty of the game and it's against the under pressure French, Yorick Treille has been called for roughing
     
    10:36
    Viktor Tikhonov finds space for himself at the left of the crease, he looks to cut in but he can't get a clean attempt on goal away!
     
    11:09
    Plotnikov! Sergey Plotnikov on the right from a tough angle fakes a pass, sharply wrists himself but Cristobal Huet is alert!
     
    11:22
    France almost had a three on one breakaway there just as they are back to full strength, but they're wasteful with the puck
     
    12:50
    Da Costa! Stephane Da Costa picks up a neat backhanded layoff, closes in on the right before wristing with power into Sergey Bobrovskiy's chest!
     
    13:03
    Russia now commit icing. After that tough opening the French do look to be settling down now
     
    13:42
    And the French do indeed now have a powerplay opportunity for themselves, Vadim Shipachyov for holding has been penalised
     
    13:58
    Amar! Baptiste Amar puts in a really hard slapper on net, but Sergey Bobrovskiy is right behind it!
     
    14:35
    Teddy Da Costa is the next to chance his luck from distance, his slapper is powered in through heavy traffic but the netminder's pads push it out of danger!
     
    15:42
    The French are starting to put the pressure on their opponents well now, but Russia are back to full strength
     
    17:17
    Icing is again committed by Russia. And just before that Denis Denisov made a terrible mistake in his own zone handing the puck to a French attacker at the high slot, but Sergey Bobrovskiy bailed him out!
     
    17:49
    Sergey Plotnikov from the right dumps the puck into the slot intelligently looking for Vadim Shipachyov at the far post, but he just can't connect!
     
    19:43
    Just seventeen seconds before the end of the first period Laurent Meunier has been punished for tripping, meaning that probably Russia will start the second stanza on the powerplay
     
    20:00
    1st period finished.
     
    Statistics after the opening period of play-

    Shots on target- 11-8
    Saves made by the goalkeeper- 8-10
    Penalty minutes- 2-4
     
    20:01
    Start of 2nd period.
     
    20:01
    The second period is underway with Russia on the powerplay for a further 01:43
     
    20:52
    Goal for Team Russia! And what a wonderful goal! A cutting cross ice pass finds EVGENIY MALKIN free on the right of the crease, and with the French netminder all over the place he sneaks the puck inside the near post! Powerplay goal and it's 2-0! Assists- Nikolay Kulyomin and Viktor Tikhonov
     
    22:09
    Right after that the French do have a powerplay chance to get back into things, Sergey Plotnikov for holding has been called
     
    23:01
    Shirokov! A really poor French turnover lets in Sergey Shirokov one on one, the goalkeeper is committed but he lets the puck run just too far in front of him! What a chance for a shorthanded goal!
     
    24:09
    Just as Russia come off the penalty kill they've got a powerplay for themselves, Laurent Meunier for tripping is the guilty party
     
    25:16
    Medvedev! Evgeniy Medvedev with heavy traffic in front of Cristobal Huet wrists in to the crease, and the netminder just manages to cover up with Viktor Tikhonov scrapping around for it!
     
    25:16
    But Antoine Roussel for cross checking in that play has been punished, and for just under a minute the Russians have a five on three!
     
    26:49
    Tikhonov! Viktor Tikhonov is picked out drifting to the left of the slot, but under pressure he can't get it out from under his stick!
     
    27:16
    Cristobal Huet didn't really have to work hard in the French net during that powerplay and it's a five on five hockey game again
     
    28:38
    Andrey Zubarev pinned up against the left hand boards swings the puck to the far post with a brilliant pass, but Evgeniy Dadonov charging in only just can't get his stick on it!
     
    28:42
    Yorick Treille for holding has been penalised now as the Russians are pressing really hard in the zone!
     
    28:45
    But Sergey Plotnikov has very quickly evened up the numbers, he's been punished for tripping
     
    30:30
    The penalties are starting to build up now! Nikolay Kulyomin is the latest to be called in by the referees, this time for slashing
     
    32:42
    And the French are now on the powerplay! They have to get something going, Sergey Bobrovskiy so far in this period has had nothing to do!
     
    33:20
    Dadonov! What a play from the Evgeniy Dadonov! Streaking through on the left he with a stunning move takes his defender out of the picture, speeds on to the crease but he's denied by a great Cristobal Huet save!
     
    33:32
    Ovechkin! Just past the right faceoff circle the open Alexander Ovechkin wrists into the netminder's glove! And the Russians are back at full strength having had no defending to do!
     
    34:49
    Sergey Shirokov spinning all around the place on the right flashes the puck across goal, but no one is there to take advantage of it! Russia are looking on their game more and more!
     
    36:37
    The French on very few occasions have got set up in their opponents' zone at all, Russia are pressing them when they have the puck everywhere
     
    37:14
    France now move offside with just under three minutes remaining in the second stanza
     
    39:03
    Right by the French bench players from both sides press the puck hard up against the boards, and eventually the referees blow on the play
     
    39:34
    Kalinin! He maybe could have done better there! Brilliant dogged play by Alexander Burmistrov on the right frees up Sergey Kalinin on the doorstep, but he just can't force it home! That was another very clear opening!
     
    39:51
    And we're now into the final few seconds of a dominant Russian second period!
     
    40:00
    2nd period finished.
     
    Statistics after the first two periods-

    Shots on target- 20-12
    Saves made by the goalkeeper- 12-18
    Penalty minutes- 8-10
     
    40:01
    Start of 3rd period.
     
    40:25
    The third and vital period is go! Russia have been excellent so far tonight but at only two up they can't afford to relax!
     
    40:52
    Laurent Meunier takes a swipe at the puck as it rolls back out to the point, but it flies into the boards behind the net
     
    41:25
    Kutuzov! Evgeniy Malkin picks out the open Alexander Kutuzov hanging back at the blue line, he puts in a powerful effort but through heavy traffic Cristobal Huet holds on!
     
    41:34
    Sergey Bobrovskiy fields a dump from deep into his crease and as not to take any chances he freezes
     
    42:17
    We have the first penalty of the third period and it's against the French, for roughing Teddy Da Costa has been penalised
     
    43:00
    Medvedev! Evgeniy Medvedev is teed up at the point, and his fearsome slapper looks to cannon off defenders in front of him!
     
    44:15
    Very long and patient build up play is finished off by Nikolay Kulyomin, but his wrister peeling to the left flies wide of the far post
     
    44:17
    And France are indeed back to full strength
     
    45:46
    The tempo of the game does seem to have dropped somewhat, Russia are very happy to just keep it well away from their zone
     
    46:30
    Auvitu! Battling away for the puck already on his knees Yohann Auvitu still gets a backhander away, but it lacks power and Sergey Bobrovskiy kicks it wide!
     
    46:41
    And the Russian goaltender now confidently holds on to a powerful wrister from distance. He hasn't had a lot of work to do but he looks very focused!
     
    47:36
    Goal for Team Russia! They're edging ever closer to the semifinals! The rolling puck falls to ALEXANDER KUTUZOV on the right faceoff circle, and he absolutely rips a one timer high into the net! Brilliant goal and it's 3-0! Assists- Nikolay Kulyomin and Evgeniy Malkin
     
    47:59
    Zaripov! It could have been four just like that! Again down the right flank the French defence is nowhere to be seen, but Cristobal Huet deals with Danis Zaripov's wrister!
     
    49:31
    Now Stephane Da Costa for the forlorn French on the right gets something going on the Russian crease, and with Sergey Bobrovskiy panicking his defence hack it clear!
     
    50:11
    Russia are looking more and more powerful and they're going on the powerplay, Nicolas Besch is skating off to the penalty box for cross checking
     
    52:11
    Despite pinning their opponents in their own zone Russia couldn't create any real chances and France are back at full strength
     
    52:57
    Sergey Kalinin for an obvious trip against his opponent has now been punished by the referees, and with just over seven minutes remaining the French have a very important powerplay opportunity
     
    53:49
    Desrosiers! Julien Desrosiers is dished with an excellent pass standing all alone on the right faceoff circle, he slaps in first time but Sergey Bobrovskiy is equal to it with an agile save!
     
    54:57
    France really are running out of chances and Sergey Kalinin is back into the game for the Russians
     
    55:14
    And Russia now have two minutes on the powerplay in which to completely finish the game, Stephane Da Costa has been penalised for slashing
     
    55:26
    The penalties are really building up here, and this is a really controversial one! A French defender smashed one of his teammates in the face with his stick, but shockingly they have called Viktor Tikhonov for it! That's a really poor refereeing error!
     
    57:00
    Besch! Shielding the puck away from the whole Russian defence Nicolas Besch cuts to the crease sharply on the right, and after a tricky deflection it trickles inches wide of the far post!
     
    57:26
    Both teams are back to full strength with time running down!
     
    59:09
    Baptiste Amar spinning round to the right flank flicks the puck on target, but it's right into the midriff of Sergey Bobrovskiy
     
    59:09
    And the French have taken a timeout! They want to at least get a goal for pride here!
     
    59:09
    In that timeout Cristobal Huet has indeed been pulled for the extra skater!
     
    59:27
    The netminder is heading back to his goal however, for hooking Antoine Roussel has been punished. And he looks really angry about it smashing his stick around in the penalty box!
     
    59:55
    We're already into the final seconds with Russia cruising into the semifinals 3-0!
     
    60:00
    Game over.
     
    There's the final buzzer, and with a very comfortable 3-0 victory against France the Russians are heading into the seminfinals! They were simply excellent again today, and in the next round their next unfortunate opponent will either be the tournament hosts Belarus or Sweden. Artyom Anisimov opened up the scoring, with then superstar Evgeniy Malkin and Alexander Kutuzov joining him on the scoresheet. Thanks for following the game with us, and see you again soon for more enthralling action from the 2014 IIHF World Championships! (18:10:06)

    Shaun Nicolaides

    Goals and assists: 5. Anisimov (Yakovlev), 21. Malkin (Kulyomin, Tikhonov), 48. Kutuzov (Kulyomin, Malkin)


    Russia: Bobrovskiy (Vasilevskiy)- Chudinov, Denisov, Ovechkin, Plotnikov, Shipachyov- Kutuzov, Medvedev, Malkin, Kulyomin, Tikhonov- Belov, Yakovlev, Zaripov, Shirokov, Anisimov- Zubarev, Burmistrov, Kalinin, Dadonov, Kuznetsov
    France2: Huet (Hardy)- Auvitu, Besch, S Da Costa, Bellemare, Roussel- Manavian, Amar, Treille, Meunier, Desrosiers- Dieude Fauvel, Janil, Fleury, Ritz, T Da Costa- Chakiachvili, Tardif, Henderson, Raux, Guttig

    Referees: Jerabek, Kaval, Sidorenko, Carlson, Lederer, Valach