#WUAlmaty2017: Update Ice Hockey – Day 6

ALMATY – While the preliminary round has ended, teams are moving to the next phase in the competition.

Men’s Quarterfinals

In the men’s tournament, eight teams qualified for the quarter finals, i.e. Russia, Japan, Canada, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Swede and host Kazakhstan. Two quarterfinals were played today.

RUS vs JPN

In today’s first quarterfinals between Japan and Russia, the latter proved to be the better team, as expected. In the first period Team Nippon stayed close to the ‘Red Machine’ allowing them to surprise their goalie only once. However in the second and third period, the Russians simply stuck to their relentless offence widening the gap allowing the Japanese only to score twice. Russia moves up to the semis. Final score: 9-2 (1-0; 3-2; 5-0).

CAN vs LAT

Team Canada also continues to be on track for the medal round as the Canadians qualified themselves for the semi-finals after a win over Latvia. Canada got ahead two points in the first period. In the second period however, Team Latvia got back into the game netting two goals equalizing the score. In the last minute of the second period, Canada succeeded to get ahead again returning to the dressing room as leaders of this tight game. This confidence goal gave them a boost as halfway the third they scored again masterly using a powerplay. With less than three minutes on the clock Team Canada ended the Latvian dream netting another puck. Final score: 5-2 (2-0; 1-2; 2-0).

Men’s Classifications (9-12)

USA vs CHN

USA, China, Korea and Great Britain did not make it into the next round and continue to play for the final classifications. Today, USA faced-off against China. China was clearly the weaker of both teams as the US beat them with double digits. Final score: 19-1 (5-0, 5-1, 7-0).

Women’s Semi-finals

CAN vs USA

Canada, United States, Russia and China progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s tournament. Today, these semis were played to decide the protagonists for the gold and bronze medal games. So in the first game of these semi-finals, Canada faced-off against the USA, hence another North-American rivalry played on the other side of the Ocean. The Canadians dominated pretty much the whole game while Team USA managed to net one goal. Final score: 8-1 (3-0; 2-1; 3-0).

Although the Canadians are already certain about the silver, they want the gold. As team captain Katelyn Gosling commented in the mixed zone: “The US put up a good game. It was a great competition and we are very happy with the outcome. Our aim is definitely gold. That’s our mission this tournament. The Russians will be a very tough competition, so if we are aiming for gold we have to bring out our best game.”

RUS vs CHN

With 50 shots on goal versus 16, the Russian women’s team proved to be a valid contender for the gold medal. Leaving no room to China, the Russians set their mark already in the first period netting seven pucks. China only managed to retaliate once early in the second period. Russia added three more goals to win this game with double digits. Final score: 10-1 (7-0; 3-1, 0-0).

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer