Olympic Qualification - Day 2

Group D (Germany):

Orange dream is over after the second loss in the tournament with a nightmarish first period when Austria scored five unanswered goals, two by veteran Thomas Koch. Game ended too early for any kind of reaction by Netherlands and now Austria is close to go back at Olympic Games for the first time after 2002. After the sixth goals by Matthias Trattnig in the second period, Austria controlled the game and eased out, allowing a late consolation goal for Netherlands, scored by Mitch Brujsten with two minutes left. “We knew that the Netherlands played a very physical and late game last night and so we got them on the short end. We really wanted to come out hard and put them under pressure and we were fortunate enough to score enough goals in the first period.” said Austria coach Manny Viveiros. Netherlands coach Barry Smith: “It was a very tough game for us after the first period. I think they wanted to make a statement right away. We had heavy legs. We came a little bit back in the second and third period and I’m proud of our guys the way they stuck with it.”

Italy - Germany 2-1ot

The best gift for Austria comes at night when Italy surprisingly won Germany in a packed arena, the first ever Italian victory against Germany in Olympic tournaments. Host played well but faced a very concentrate team - just one penalty in all the game - and a superlative Adfam Dennis in the net. Italy goes ahead with Rob Sirianni at 10.15 and again used very well the power play on overtime, when Nate DiCasimirro finalizes a pass by Trevor Johnson. Germany equalized the game with Jerome Flaake at 13:29 but wasn't able to break up Italian defence. Blue Team is eliminated but can record an historic night and can still close the tournament in the second place, Germany is still in the running for Sochi but now Bundesteam must win against Austria in the regulation time

Group E (Latvia):

France - Great Britain 4-2

France is still alive and can play all its Sochi chances in the decisive game against Latvia after a convincing victory over a brave Great Britain, that showed, as yesterday against Latvia, still a consistent gap with top hockey nations. France is early 3-0, using very well the power play (all goals come with man advantage), but loss of concentration allows Britons to reduce the score, with goals by Craig Peacock and Robert Lachowicz. But a mistake by goalie Stevie Lyle trying to get away the puck give Charles Bertrand the opportunity to close the game scoring fourth goal. Fabrice Lhenry closed the French net with some brilliant saves and France can concentrate on game vs Latvia. "I thought the guys played well tonight, we shored up some of the defensive mistakes that were made in the first game yesterday," said France head coach Dave Henderson.

"We battled hard, but took some soft penalties early on which set us back against a team with France's skill and power," said British head coach Tony Hand. "But from what I've seen in the last two games has been very encouraging and I hope we can carry it over and improve ahead of the World Championship (Division I Group A) in April."

Kazakhstan - Latvia 2-3

Latvia wins a very thrilling game in front of a fantastic crowd and a tough opponent. Latvia has a promising start and was 2-0 after 02:37 with Stals and Mikelis Redlihs. Kazakhstan had to pulled goaltender Vitali Kolesnik in favour of Vitali Yeremeyev, but new goalie has immediately to face two dangerous power play. For all the first period Kazakh seems to sink in the Baltic sea but a goal by Dmitri Upper finalizing a shot by Kevin Dellman not perfectly rebounded by Masalkis, give a life vest to Krikunov squad. “It was a really difficult environment” said Krikunov. “At some points the players could barely hear the coaches or each other.” The second period was less painful for Kazakhstan and more complicate for Latvia: at 33:00, while Aleksandrs Nizivijs was in the penalty box, Roman Starchenko equalizes the game silenced the 10.000 spectators. But Arena Riga was rivitalized after just 40 seconds in the last period when Janis Sprukts steals the puck from Delmann and serves Martin Karsums, his smart pass finds Lauris Darzins for the easy one timer.

“It was an exciting game, one that could have gone either way,” said Latvia head coach Ted Nolan. “I was extremely proud of the way the guys competed and worked, but what made me even more proud tonight was to see that crowd. To see a full house the players really enjoyed it…just one of those special nights and that’s what hockey’s all about.”

"I want to say that we have lost from the start, conceding immediately two goals - said Vladimir Krikunov - "We managed to equalize the game and in the third period we settled to play well, but the initial blunders did not allow us to play differently. Now it would be nice to receive a gift from France but we still have to play with the British"

Group F (Denmark):

Belarus - Ukraine 6-0

The victory in the regulation time of Slovenia against Denmark at night frustrates the Belarusian hopes to qualify to Sochi. After the unexpected defeat against Slovenia, coach Andrei Skabelka mixed the lines and his players immediately showed a different performance with goals come from six different players. Ukraine, with Oleg Shafarenko suspended after the major penalty committed in the first game, showed a very poor game, as coach Aleksandr Kulikov admits: "The game showed that the Belarusian team was stronger in every way, the score speaks for itself. We still have a long time to move in that direction, a lot of work. Belarusians still play at the highest level for many years, and we are two groups below. Therefore, the result is natural. But I would like to thank the guys who fought and tried to have done everything possible. But the mistakes that we made since the second and third period brought the score to 6-0."

From Belarusian side there is satisfaction but also awareness that team can pay the bad first game. " We played a good game, with good movement. The team observed the discipline. The result is good, but there is a sad moment: not everything now depends on us. But we hope that this result will help us to come back into the fight for the ticket to the Olympics - said coach Andrei Skabelka - "The team is on the right track, we played with soul, wanted to win, and we succeeded."

Slovenia - Denmark 2-1

"I am speechless," said night hero David Rodman - 2 goals - after the game while many of his teammates crying out of joy. "Nobody expected this from us, we came here as the third-ranked team, we have beaten both the favorites and we are going to the Olympics." Denmark dreams to play its first ever Olympic Games never was so close, but home team was very nervous tonight, despite a great support by crowd, and Slovenia won deservedly dominating part of the game, as the MVP title for home goalie Frederik Andersen witnesses. Keep afloat by his amazing goalie, Denmark has some chances and many shot, but Slovenia efficiency was decisive. The post hit by Nicholas Hardt with 12 seconds remaining was the last big chance. Farewell to the Danish Olympic dreams. There is a long time for the Winter Olympics in 2018.

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