Finland claims Karjala Cup despite OT loss

Karjala Cup - Day 3

Czech Republic - Russia 0-2 (0-0, 0-0, 0-2)

After disappointing results against Sweden (0-6) and Finland (2-3 despite leading 2-0) the Czechs wanted to use the match regarding the Olympics in Sochi in February 2014 to improve the team morale. Their opponents Russia had lost a close game against Finland (3-4) before they beat Sweden (5-2) which made them clear favourites in this game. In an even first period Russia's Panarin with a one-timer from the left circle and Czech Republic's Doudera with a blue line shot that was barely visible for the goalie had the best chances for their respective teams.

The equally balanced midle period was a private duel of Czech forward Jan Kovar and Russian striker Mikhail Glukhov who both had at least two big opportunities each but failed from short distance each. The biggest chance though had Alexander Popov who hit the goal post at 35:38 with the net wide open in front of him after receiving a brilliant cross-pass just in front of Czech goalie Jakub Kovar!

Whatever the Russian coaching staff told their players in the second intermission must have been a good choice. Just 34 seconds were played in the third period when Alexander Popov deflected a blue line shot by Yuri Alexandrov into the net. Only 34 seconds later Mikhail Varnakov beat Kovar with a one-timer from the right circle into the right corner. Czech head coach Alois Hadamczik took a timeout immidiately and his team stopped the bleeding defensively but the Czech fans didn't see any good opportunities of their own team anymore so that Russian goalie Alexander Yeryomenko easily defended his shutout.

Finland - Sweden 2-3 OT (0-1, 1-1, 1-0, 0-1)

The Finnish hosts played a good tournament and in the end only needed one point to defend the first place in the Karjala Cup standings - a goal they reached exactly. After close wins against Russia (4-3) and Czech Republic (3-2) - during the second match they even turned around a two-goal deficit - the Finns went as favourites into the last match of the Karjala Cup against Sweden. Their Northern European neighbours had convinced against Czech Republic (6-0) but were beaten on Saturday by Russia (2-5).

The home side showed from the very first moment their will to win this match. In the first 10 minutes they had several good scoring opportunities, the best of which was a deke by Sakari Salminen against Swedish goalie Karlsson but afterwards he missed the open net from a sharp angle. The Finns were always a step ahead and forced two early penalties. The momentum should chagne when Leo Komarov received a match penalty for kneeing at 12:43. During the following five minute power play the Swedes had their problems to create much danger but just before the end of the power play a nice combination between Nicklas Danielsson and Niklas Olauson was finnished by Pär Arlbrandt who received a cross-pass at the right post where he was left completely alone (17:39).

In the middle period it was a similar picture. The Finns had the better start but two stupid penalties forced them back into defense. A boarding penalty against Oskar Osala finally led to the second goal for Team Sweden when Linus Klasen beat Finnish goalie Hovinen into the right corner just after a won face off in the home team's third (28:27). Around "half time" the hosts tried it with offense again supported by their fans and when they had a power play themselves it was Jere Karalahti whose blue line shot found it's way past Hendrik Karlsson in the Swedish net.

For a long time during the third period it looked like the Swedes would be able to defend their small lead. With about 10 minutes left on the clock the Finns started their final offense though and the guests only waited for counters. After several good saves Karlsson was chanceless when Niklas Hagman ended a beautiful solo scoring the late equalizer (56:52). He had received the puck at the Swedish blue line, skated past two defenders and deked out Karlsson to the left to score into the left bottom corner! In the last minutes the Finns did everything to decide the match in regulation but either Karlsson or the lack of efficiency avoided another goal.

By sharing the points after regulation the outcome of the tournament was already decided but still the Northern derby between these two countries has a lot of prestige in it and every win counts. When Simon Hjalmarsson conquered the puck inside the Finnish third, he gave a cross-pass towards the slot and Sebastian Erixon beat Hovinen with a one-timer into the right corner - the goalie didn't look too lucky as he was out of position for a moment (61:48).  

Final Karjala Cup standings:

1. Finland 7 pts
2. Russia 6 pts
3. Sweden 5 pts
4. Czech Republic 0 pts

Euro Hockey Tour 2013-14 standings after 2 of 4 tournaments:

1. Finland 16 pts
2. Russia 9 pts
3. Sweden 8 pts
4. Czech Republic 3 pts

The Euro Hockey Tour continues with the Channel One Cup in Russia between 19 and 22 December 2013 before the EHT season is decided during the Oddset Hockey Games in Sweden between 1 and 4 May 2014.

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