FIN18 5:1 USA18 | Finland U18 - USA U18 (Hlinka Gretzky Cup)

Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Finland U18 – USA U18	5:1 (end)	\|	Sweden U18 – Switzerland U18	4:3 (end)	\|	Slovakia U18 – Russia U18	2:5 (end)
Czech Republic U18 – Canada U18	1:3 (end)

final

Finland U18

5:1 (4:0, 1:1, 0:0)

USA U18

Monday 10.08.2015, 14:00 • Arena of Ondrej Nepela, Bratislava • Hlinka Gretzky Cup • Group B

		Welcome. Game starts at 14:00.
		Good afternoon to all hockey fans from Bratislava, Slovakia! The 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup is starting today and I am very happy, that you are going to watch the text broadcast from opening game between Finland and USA! Finland reached the final game at last WCH and finished at second place. It has as usually really strong team with great individuals and really fast skaters. We can expect typical Finnish "nice" hockey with many shots and goals. USA is current World Champion in this category. The system of education for young players in USA is really sophisticated, what results into successes. USA changed its style of hockey and is playing more offensive with nice combinations. The opening game of group B is starting at 14:00 at Ice Stadium of Ondrej Nepela in Bratislava. Looking forward to meet you at this on-line broadcasting!
		Starting lineups: Finland U18: Isokangas (Halonen) – Valimaki, Jokiharju, Kuokkanen, Makinen, Oksanen – Niemelainen, Salo, Veselainen, Somppi, Tuulola – Kotkansalo, Reunanen, Koppanen, Rasanen, Koivula – Pylkkanen, Jaaska, Toivola, Moilanen USA U18: Dhillon (Rasmussen) – Peeke, Rossini (A), Eliot (C), Gleason, Farmer, Perunovich, Dineen, Dineen – Yamamoto, Mittelstadt, Harper – Lown, Tufte, Crone – Gettinger, Rymsha, Berger – Knierim (A), Mcging, Leonard – Wait Referees: Kubus, Goga – Tvrdon, Navratek.
		Hello everyone! Welcome at Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup 2015, which is starting in few minutes! We are currently ready at Arena of Ondrej Nepela in Bratislava, where is tgoing to start he game between Finland and USA. In Bratislava is today really hot weather, outside is around 35 degress. Here in ice stadium is nice 20 degress, what creates enjoyable conditions for all spectators nad many scouts, who came to see this game. You can look to rosters of teams, which offer several interesting names and talented players.
How it looks in Arena
		Both teams are currently at ice! Finnish team is going to play in white-black jerseys, USA in blue jerseys.
Introducing of players
	00:01	Game started.
	00:31	Great chance for USA! Knierim had a lot of space between circles and sent a backhand shot, Isokangas saved by right pad!
	00:55	We will see the first power-play, opening pressure from USA team resulted into the penalty of Finnish team. Janne Kuokkanen gets minor penalty for slashing.
	00:57	Finland won the face-off and shot the puck through all lines.
	01:20	Almost 30 seconds of power-play are gone, Finnish team is playing well in defense and doesn´t allow any chances for US team.
	01:51	One minute of power-play is gone, without any shot to Isokangas. Finnish players are holding puck in their offense zone.
	02:06	There is going to be 4 on 4 game! Scott Perunovich gets minor penalty for tripping!
	02:57	Koukkanen at ice, Finnish power-play is starting!
	03:31	Inaccurate combination by Finland team in offense zone, Americans are defending without any big encourage. Power-plays aren´t strong part ot teams yet.
	04:09	Perunovich at ice, USA survived the Finnish power-play and both teams are playing full strenght.
	04:38	First save of Dhillon, when Niemelainen tried a shot from left circle, American goalkeeper saved by blocker.
	05:26	America´s team combinated into their offense zone, it looked dangerous for a while, but there was inaccurate pas in the end.
	06:26	Individual attack from American Tufte, he tried to get through Finnish defender, but didn´t suceeded. There is an attack of Finland following.
	07:17	Huge chance for USA, this should be an opening goal! Breakaway of double Gettinger – Berger, Gettinger sent beautiful pass to Berger, who had a free net in front of him, but didn´t hit it!
	07:58	Goal for Team Finland! There is an opening goal of Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup 2015! It´s scored by Finland, which uses its first chance in game. Jokiharju sent a wristshot from the blue-line, OTTO MAKINEN changed the direction of puck and it finished between the Dhillon´s pads! Assists by Henri Jokiharju, Janne Kuokannen
	09:04	Immediately, there is a pressureo of USA, which is a little bit better team yet, but loses by one goal. This action wasn´t successful.
	10:02	On the other side, there was a chance for striker of first goal Makinen, his shot from the space between circles was blocked by defender.
	10:44	Goal for Team Finland! Unbelievable, there were three shots on Dhillon and two of them finished behind him! This was a shocking moment for whole Arena! Somppi won the face-off for EETU TUULOLA, who sent a great snapshot, Dhillon was without chance! Assists by Otto Somppi
	11:14	On the other side, Leonader hit the crossbar! He was in individual breakaway and sent a great shot, Isokangas had luck!
	11:38	USA can score in the power-play! Tarmo Reunanen gets minor penalty for hooking!
	13:09	So poor power-play for USA, againt without any shot and again with penalty! We will see the 4 on 4 game. Timmy Gettinger gets minor penalty for hooking.
	13:33	Finland won the face-off in attacking zone and Rasanen sent a shot from the space between circles, it was blocked by defender.
	14:01	Finland in full strenght, the power-play of Suomi is starting!
	14:22	Goal for Team Finland! That´s totally unbeliavable, three goals from five shots, great efficiency of Finnish team! There was a power-play combination. Oksanen find Salo by accurate pass at the blue line, ROBIN SALO tried it by snapshot and scored beautiful goal, puck finished at left top corner! Assists by Emil Oksanen, Otto Makinen
	16:28	USA probably thinks about the break between periods, plays just in defense after three hits by Finland. However, Suomi feels the chance and is going for fourth goal.
	17:10	Beautiful moment from both sides! Dhillon saved by glove the nice shot of Niemelainen from blue line!
	17:10	In the same time, penalty for Samuel Rossini for roughing, there is a Finnish power-play! Americans looks nervous also, this foul was result of it.
	18:17	Goal for Team Finland! Ladies and gentleman, for long time, I didn´t see the first period like this! Finnish team sent nine shots and scores for fourth time! Two shots by Salo weren´t successful, but another power-play combination yes. Rasanen made a beautiful pass to OTTO SOMPPI, who scored to the empty net, Dhillon didn´t manage to transport to the right side of net! Asissts by Aapeli Rasanen, Eetu Tuulola
	19:35	Jokiharju made an offensive action and tried the shot from left circle, Dhillon saved by trapper and didn´t allow Suomi to score fifth goal.
	20:00	1st period finished.
		Wow, there was a great first period in Bratislava! We expected whatever, but this goal hurricane from Finland not! Suomi scored four beatiful goals and I would personally not like to be an American player now, coach Plante is really angry for sure. Finland used two power-plays and is more efficient. I am inviting you to second period, which start at 14:45 CET.
		There is a change in American team! Dhillon, the first goalkeeper, is at the bench and in the net is Rasmussen.
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
	20:12	Great opportunity for Finland! Makinen had free space in front of net, was alone there, but didn´t hit the puck!
	20:51	First difficult save for Rasmussen! Makinen sent a beautiful crossing pass to Salo, Rasmussen managed to transport to left side and caught Salo´s shot!
20:51. Salo's shot
	21:48	Finnish pressure continues! Tuulola sent a huge snapshot from the space between circles, Rasmussen saved by stick!
	22:10	Americans are playing more physically, Farmer hit the Rasanen, that was a really nice bodycheck!
	22:51	Also the effort from American team, Knierin skated to the left circle and tried it by backhand shot, missed the target.
	23:45	Inaccurate combination between US defenders almost resulted into the Finnish opportunity to score, Makinen didn´t pass the puck through defender in offense zone.
	24:48	Teams are changing their lines, there is no big change in the game, Finland is still better and USA is creating chances with huge problems.
	25:23	Finally, good opportunity for USA! Lown skated into the left circle and tried by forehand shot, missed the target just by few centimetres!
	25:33	There is going to be a power-play for Finland! Henry Crone gets minor penalty for slashing!
	25:46	Really nice shot by Salo from blue line, Rasmussen saw the puck and hide it into the glove.
	26:11	Americans shot the puck through the all lines, they are surviving penalty killing without any big troubles.
	27:07	Salo´s shot from blue line was blocked by defender, it looks like USA can survive this penalty without the goal in Rasmussen´s net.
	27:32	What to add, USA could score! Gettinger made a space at left circle and tried it by wristshot, Isokangas blocked it by right pad!
	28:09	USA survived the power-play of Finland, Crone is at ice and losing team is playing in full strenght.
	29:20	Nice combination of Finland in attacking zone, Niemelainen sent a nice pass to Koppannen, his wristshot finished in Rasmussen´s equipment.
	29:54	There is a good opportunity for first USA goal at tournament! It is playing power play for minor penalty, which gets Salo for tripping.
	30:37	Several gret chances to score for USA! Mostly for forward Mittelstadt, who sent two shots from the space between circles, Isokangas didn´t see much, but finally for three times caught the puck under the right pad!
30:37. Several gret chances to score for USA
	31:03	Again the power-play shot from Mittelstadt, but he didn´t hit the puck properly, there was no save for Isokangas.
	31:41	Gettinger had a free net in front of him, but broke the stick in the worst moment! Perunovich found him by beautiful pass at left circle, Isokangas was just moving, but the shot by Gettinger wasn´t accurate!
	32:35	Finland survived the another penalty-killing, Salo is back at ice and Suomi is playing full strenght.
	33:51	Individual breakaway by Rasanen, this could be the fifth goal for Finland! He skated fastly into the offense zone and shot from left circle, Rasmussen saved by pad!
	33:59	There is going to be a power-play for Finland! Garrett Wait gets the minor penalty for cross-checking!
	34:09	The power-play ended really quickly. Juuso Valimaki stopped the breakaway of USA by foul, he gets minor penalty for holding.
34:09. Valimaki penalty
	35:05	Great chance for Yamamoto for first US goal! He gets the difficult pass, but managed to control the puck and shot just in front of goalie, Isokangas saved by blocker!
	36:00	USA is playing full strenght.
	36:09	Goal for Team USA! The activity of Americans results into the goal, this will maybe make a drama from the game! Nice combination of two players – Lown sent accurate crossing pass through zone to TIMMY GETTINGER, who just hit the puck and sent it to the net – 4:1! Assists by Benjamin Lown and Benjamin Gleason
36:09. Timmy GETTINGER - 4:1
	37:31	Finnish defender Salo is really active in offense, now he sent a huge snapshot and Rasmussen had much to do, he saved by blocker!
	38:37	Goal for Team Finland! Huge fault in US defence results into the Finnish goal, the difference is again at four goals! Defenders of USA lost the puck behind their net, it took OTTO MAKINEN, skated in front of the net and finished by beuatiful shot to left top corner! Assists by Jaane Kuokkanen
38:37. Otto MAKINEN - 5:1
	39:39	In the end of period, another chance for Finland! Rasmuissen was at ice and three players tried to get puck behind him, American goalkeeper stopped it by several great saves!
	40:00	2nd period finished.
		The second period brought more of USA activity, as it was expected. The US team improved their performance, but it was enough just for one goal in Isokangas´net. Finland is still leading by four goals, thanks to fault in US defense and nice goal of Makinen. USA has still 20 minutes to draw, but it will be really difficult. Third period starts at 15:29 CET.
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.

	40:33	USA scored the goal, but it´s not valid! Knierim´s shot from blue line finished into the net, but another forward of USA was standing in goal crease!
	41:04	This was an important decision of referees, but in my opinon, it was correct, the American player blocked the move of Isokangas. Americans are still continuing with offensive game.
	42:29	USA combined for longer time in attacking zone, shot by Leonard missed the target and effort of Berger didn´t bring any result.
	42:46	There is going to be a power-play for USA! Juha Jaaska gets minor penalty for slashing.
	42:58	5 on 3 power-play for USA! Markus Niemelainen gets minor penalty for holding!
	43:27	Inaccurate combination by US team, but they still have more than one minute on 5 on 3 power-play to go!
	44:01	Makinen shot the puck through all lines, Finland is defending this double penalty killing really well!
	44:34	At least one shot on Isokangas, Leonard sent a nice wristshot from left circle, Isokangan saw it and save by trapper.
	44:43	First penalty of Finland is over, it plays with four players already.
	44:49	American power-play are over, there is going to be 4 on 4 game! Cameron Dineen gets minor penalty for delaying of game!
	45:05	Yamamoto tried it by individual breakaway, it was looking like he was hooked by defender, but game continues. Finland with 5 players and there is a power-play of Suomi!
	46:07	Finland could score the third power-play goal today! Rasmussen´s blocked Oksanen´s backhand shot just to Rasanen, who was in a great position, American goalkeeper saved!
	47:02	Americans survived the penalty killing without the goal and is immediately active in offensive, Isokangas saved Rossini´s shot from blue line.
	47:21	Empty net for Moilanen! He could score the sixth Finnish goal, but didn´t shot to empty net of USA, Rasmussen was just lying at the ice!
	48:28	USA chances to get good results are getting lower. There is another Finnish power-play. Kailer Yamamoto gets minor penalty for tripping.
	49:06	Americans managed to hold the puck into their offense zone and gets really important time. Finland is starting from Isokangas.
	49:51	Makinen had a space between circles, but didn´t reach the hattrick, Rasmussen saved his snapshot by pads.
	50:31	US team is playing full strenght! There are last 10 minutes of hope for USA to score four goals, what in hockey isn´t impossible.
	51:24	Wow, that was amazing hockey moment! Tufte could score second American goal, sent a wristshot from the space between circles, Isokangas is great today and saved by glove!
	52:07	Another nice shot by Berger, but in the end was againt the Isokangas´ trapper, which stopped the puck in front of goal line.
	52:46	Emotions are going up, for US team is not easy to lose by so huge difference. After the argument between players come the penalty for Hugh McGing for roughing. Finland is going to play a power-play!
	53:24	Salo is today traditionally at the blue line and is sending great shots, this was the same situation, but Rasmussen saw the puck and caught it in glove.
	53:41	Tufte could score into the breakaway! He skated behind the Finnish defense and tried it by wristshot, Isokangas with a great save!
	54:38	Game moved into the Finnish attacking zone and Niemelainen snet a snapshot from the blue line, Rasmussen saved by pad!
	55:02	Makinen was skating alone to the Rasmussen! Assistant captain of Finnish team could reach the hattrick, but didn´t manage to score, Rasmussen made a great save!
	56:02	The cooperation between Oskanen and Makinen, the Makinen´s shot missed the target just by few centimetres!
	56:51	On the other side of ice rink, Lown could score and bring at least a bit of happiness to US team! Isokangas was against and stopped his wristshot from great position!
	57:55	The game is going to its over, the Finland will get first win at the tournament, USA will need to think about their performance, this really wasn´t ideal.
	58:51	Finland is more active in this phase of match, Americans know, that they won´t get any points, what is a small surprise of first day of tournament.
	59:38	Puck is in neutral zone, both teams aren´t trying any huge attacks, we are waiting for final whistle of referee.
		Game over.
		There is an over, Finland won against USA 5:1! The Finnish team was better and scored really nice goals, Americans need to think about their performance. We will bring you also the quotes of coaches, I am now inviting you to evening game Slovakia vs. Russia, which is starting at 17:30 CET! Bye for now! (15:59:47)

Commentary by

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 8. Makinen (Jokiharju, Kuokannen), 11. Tuulola (Somppi), 15. Salo (Oksanen, Makinen), 19. Somppi (Rasanen, Tuulola), 39. Makinen (Kuokkanen) – 37. Gettinger (Lown, Gleason)

Finland U18: Isokangas (Halonen) – Valimaki, Jokiharju, Kuokkanen, Makinen, Oksanen – Niemelainen, Salo, Veselainen, Somppi, Tuulola – Kotkansalo, Reunanen, Koppanen, Rasanen, Koivula – Pylkkanen, Jaaska, Toivola, Moilanen

USA U18: Dhillon (21. Rasmussen) – Peeke, Rossini (A), Eliot (C), Gleason, Farmer, Perunovich, Dineen, Dineen – Yamamoto, Mittelstadt, Harper – Lown, Tufte, Crone – Gettinger, Rymsha, Berger – Knierim (A), Mcging, Leonard – Wait

Referees: Kubus, Goga – Tvrdon, Navratek

1st period
	00:55
	02:06
	07:58
	10:44
	11:38
	13:09
	14:22
	17:10
	18:17
1st intermission
2nd period
	25:33
	29:54
	33:59
	34:09
	36:09
	38:37
2nd intermission
3rd period
	42:58
	44:49
	48:28
	52:46
Final