The unexpected hero

The first meeting is not exactly a good memory for Slovaks: Canada won 8-0 last 26 December in Montreal in the first day of the tournament. Almost ten days after, teams meet again in the semifinal, normal for Canada, a little miracle for Slovakia that have won three out of the last four games they played after that nightmarish debut, including a convincing quarter-final against arch-rival Czech Republic. “It can’t be worse than the first time” said forward Martin Reway before the game. Well, it wasn't but Canada did again its job beating Slovakia and now only Russia separates the hosts from a gold medal awaited by all nation.

Without Robby Fabbri injured, Canada has Zach Fucacle in the net, facing revelation Dennis Godla. Air Canada Center is packed and exploded when Canada takes the ice. Young Slovakian players are intimidated by the atmosphere and Canada attacks with the power and the constancy of the waves, pushed by the crowd. Slovakia resists until the first power play, one man is conceding too much to Canada, so hosts open the score: Connor McDavid serves Nic Petan for the shot with no chances for Godla. Slovakia has immediately a power play but the difference is impressive: also with a man more Slovaks can’t arrive close to Fucale’s net. The strategy of Slovakia is clear: try to keep Canadian forward far from the net, could also work, but the problem is the absolute absence of offensive play. Godla risks only on shot from the distance. At 15 Peter Cehlarik has the real chance to tie game coming alone in front of Fucale but the Canadian goalie denies with the leg. Canada is nervous for not closing the game in the first 20 minutes and the game becomes physical while Slovakia takes heart: another shot by Cehlarik whispering on Fucale’s post and despite another power play for Canada, Slovaks survive.

The begin of second period is again difficult for Slovakia, Godla is reactive of Morrissey and Crouse and very well placed on a missile by Bowey. Again the Slovak goalie captures a dangerous pack rambling in front of his cage after a penetration of Domi and blocks a point-blank shot of Brayden Point. The list of duels won by goalie continues with Ritchie, Gauthier and Domi trying to finalize a speedy action. An high-sticking called to Morin gives Slovakia two minutes of breath and a chance with Robert Lantosi; when also Canada earns two minutes with a man more, the shooting restarts and the wall stands until 38:06 when a smart pass by Curtis Lazar and an acrobatic finishing by Nic Petan gives the long-awaited second goal. "Honestly I thought puck had hit crossbar and went out, I celebrate only when the crowd threw their hands up." said Petan after the game. The door is now open, one minute more and Shea Theodore nets third goal, served by Duclair. In the middle of celebration and with head already in the restroom, Slovakia  scores in its sith shot on goal: quick run on the wing by Matej Paulovic and center for the timely deflection by David Soltes.

A save by applauded Denis Godla

Third period begins with a shot from distance and a deflection, both by McDavid and both saved by Godla. Canada needs almost three minutes to score fourth goal with Anthony Duclair finishing an action of Darnell Nourse. Fucale denies second Slovakia goal  blocking a one-timer by Rosandic. In a 5vs3 Godla is a spider jumping from one post to another to stop Reinhart, Duclair, McDavid and twice Bowey for the frustration of the fans. Miracles working just once: in next power play a rain of hats, included the one from his father, welcomes the hattrick of Nic Petan, ready to finish in the net a wraparound by Lazar.

Nic Petan third goal

After a goal disallowed for Slovakia – Sukel scores with the skate), Petan could make his remarkable night legendary but Godla is outstanding in deflecting his finishing with a dive. It’s enough for a semifinal that could not have another final. Slovakia plays as its best, wasn’t flattened as many predicted and has another chance tomorrow to improve its good campaign with a medal. Canada at now did the minimum expected, reach the final.

Coach Ernest Bokros praises his boys: “Guys played well, we try to block the speed of Canadian player but unfortunately the second period wasn’t as we expected. But of course Canada is stronger than us”

Benoit Groulx comments: “Slovakia is a very well structured team, well different from our first clash. They contained well our attack in the first period, we have to use all our skill and speed to win the game

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