Slovakia and Canada victorious in the placement matches

The placement matches of MU19 WFC started on Saturday. In A-division Slovakia got the 7th place in the tournament by defeating Denmark 4-2 and confirmed their place in the A-division for the WFC 2011. Denmark will be relegated to B-division for the WFC 2011 played in Norway.

Slovakia started the match strongly and had 3-0 lead in the first intermission. The second period was played without goals as also Denmark improved their playing.

The Danish team had biggest problems in opening the game as the eager Slovakian forwards were able to block the passing lanes and make the game opening difficult for Danes. Both teams had some good scoring changes in the second period, but the goalkeepers kept their nets clean.

Goalkeepers Mike Trolle (DEN) and Gabriel Meszáros continued their good performances in the third period and it was not easy to score by eighter of the teams. Denmark got a penalty shot two minutes before the end and Nikolaj Parbo reduced the Slovakian lead to 4-2. Denmark tried eagerly to score in the last minutes, but did not succeed and the final result was 4-2 to Slovakia.

With the victory Slovakia confirmed their place in the A-division as Denmark was relegated to B-division for the MU19 WFC 2011.

15th place of the tournament for Canada

The two out-of-Europe teams of the tournament, Canada and Japan, played for the 15th place of the tournament. The first period was even performance from both teams, but only Canada was able to score two goals.

For the second period Canada improved their game a lot and started to get the balls in to the goal instead of shooting wide.

Canada decided the match in second period as eight different Canadian players were able to score totally 10 goals during the period.

There was no doubt about the winner of the match in the third period, but the Japanese team had still their spirit high. Their fighting spirit was rewarded with two goals. Also Canada scored four goals in the third period and therefore the final score was 16-2 to Canada.

The final placement in the tournament was 15th for Canada and 16th for Japan.

5th place to Latvia

The fifth place in the tournament was decided between Latvia and Norway. Latvia was better in the intensive match and took the victory with result 6-4.

The battle for the fifth place in the tournament was tight between Latvia and Norway. The only goal in the first period was scored by Oskars Balodis to Latvia.

Both teams were able to create good scoring chances and also the second period was quite even. Teams scored two goals each so Latvia had the lead 3-2 in the second intermission.

Latvia decided the match in the third period when they were able to score twice and took the lead 5-2. Norway was not able to respond to this and even though they reduced the lead few times, they could not tie the match.

The final score was 6-4 to Latvia and therefore the placements in the tournament were 5th for Latvia and 6th for Norway.

Poland defeated Germany in the B-Semifinal

Poland was the first team to achieve a place in the B-Final. The 9-6 victory over Germany confirmed a chance to play for the promotion to A-division for Poland.

Germany got a dream start to the B-semifinal as they were able to score already in the first minute of the match.

After this it was Poland who took control of the first period. Polish team scored three goals and had the 3-1 lead in the first intermission.

The beginning of the second period was good performance from Germany and they tied the match to 3-3. The breaking point of the match was seen in the third period. Poland started the period strongly and with two goals scored by Mateusz Antoniak the Polish lead was increased to 6-3. Throughout the match Poland was able to get their scoring situations closer to the goal than Germany and in the third period this resulted as goals.

The final score was 9-6 to Poland and they will play for the promotion to A-division in the B-Final on Sunday in Turku Arena. Germany will play for the B-final bronze and the 11th place of the tournament on Sunday.

Tight 6-4 victory for Sweden took the reigning champions to the final

The semifinals in WFC 2009 started with match between Sweden and Czech Republic. The first period was quite even performance from both teams. The first goal was scored by Mattias Ljunggren to Sweden during power play and soon after that Henrik Stenberg increased the lead to 2-0. Also Czech team succeeded to score on power play so the score in the first intermission was 2-1.

In the second period the match followed pattern where first Czech team reduced the Swedish lead to one goal and right after that Sweden was able to increase the lead again. Czech Republic had more ball possession as Sweden pulled back to their defensive zone after losing the ball. Then they waited for the Czech team to make a mistake and made effective counter attacks. After two periods the score was 6-4 to Sweden.

The Czechs had the strength to come back once more, but the breaking point of the match was seen four minutes before the end when Kevin Lundgren scored 7-5 to Sweden. The Czech team had some good chances in the last minutes, but they could not tie the match and the reigning champion Sweden will play in the WFC Final.

All Czech goals were scored by two players, Miloš Tyl and Vlastimil Princ both from the SSK Future in Prague. Kevin Lundgren and Miloš Tyl were awarded as best players.

Estonia in the B-division final

In the second B-division final Hungary could challenge Estonia for one period, but then the better pace of the Estonians was too much for the Hungarians and Estonia won the second period with 4-0.

Hungay could never come back into the game and Estonia won the match with 12-5 and will play for a place in the A-division tomorrow against Poland at 11.00.

Mats Tamme and Norbert Nagy were elected best players.

Finland in the A-division final

The second semi-final became a real thriller as it was only settled after the penalty shoot out competition. Finland had the stronger nerves in the end and with three successful penalty shots they could win the match.

Switzerland took charge of the second semi-final game when Sandro Cavelti and then Sandro Rindlisbacher scored for Switzerland. Finland got a good opportunity on power play but did not succeed. In 16.50 the Finnish goalkeeper made a brilliant opening through to Jere Oksanen, who scored the first for Finland.

In the second period Finland tried to pass Switzerland´s man cover but as the Swiss were quick enough to win most of the loose balls and also got control of the long passes by the Finnish defenders, they could get some fast counter attacks, but 1-2 remained the score.

Perttu Puska evened the score in the start of the third period and the game was really exciting. Both teams had their moments but were not able to get the ball into the net and the thriller continued on over time.

Oksanen had a great chance after three minutes of over time as he coud break free from the Swiss defence, but Pascal Meier made a tremendous save. Also Philipp Frankhauser was almost able to run with the ball to the goal after which Nino Wälti´s shot hit the post, but no goal for Switzerland. In 59.09 Jiri Tikkanen created a golden chance for Casper Pfitzner from the best scoring sector but the shot missed the target and it was time for the penalty shots.

Marc Gerber was the first shooter for the Swiss but Teemu Kortelainen kept his goal clean. Tomi Toivonen´s shot on the other hand went straight to the upper corner and Finland was one goal ahead. Then Gianluca Lutz, Janne Karisto and Sandro Cavelti missed but Casper Pfitzner could put the ball confidently to the goal and the fourth Swiss had all the pressure. Nino Wälti´s shot missed the target and Finland will meet Sweden in tomorrow´s final starting at 17.00 (16.00 CET) tomorrow.

Russia won over Austria and took the 13th place

Russia had a quite easy match against Austria in the match for 13th place. Especially Alexander Lazovskiy was effective tonight as he scored 4+2 in the match which Russia finally won with 18-2.

Russia was 13th and Austria 14th in the final placement of the tournament.