Russia limits Slovak chances for quarters to minimum

The last Slovakia`s victory over Russia in a World Championship game comes from the previous Worlds in the Czech Republic in 2004. If Slovakia would keep serious thoughts about its advancement to this year`s playoffs, another victory over Sbornaja Komanda would be recommended now, after eleven years pause.

Twenty minutes under an exciting tempo and end-to-end hockey, this is what the first period brought. Russia was slightly dominating, but Slovakia actively backchecking and forechecking like in no other game before during this year`s Worlds.

And regardless the shots-on-goals overbalance to Russia (5-12), the only scoring was against the bill of Sergei Bobrovski: In the sixth minute`s ending Tomas Kopecky did not know what to do with puck as he was tightly protected by a defender. Thus Kopecký decided to make a turnaround and just to flop it towards Russian net, which caught up Bobrovski surprised and it was 1:0.

During the first half of the middle session, Slovakia was under a pressure of Russia eagerly looking for the game-tying goal, which happened during Russian powerplay in the 28th minute. Mozyakin`s slapshot from top of the left wing circle was simply unstoppable and the score was equalised.

Once Sbornaja tied it up, also picture of the play equalized, allowing Slovakia to make more offensive actions. Slovak activity peaked during last seconds of the period, when Tikhonov is on the penalty bench. Although Russia stealed the puck and set off to a breakaway, they lost it and suddenly Marian Gaborik was alone ahead of the empty net, but hitted Bobrovski`s left leg only.

Twice during the third period occurred, that if one team wasted a clear scoring chance, the other did so instead. Yet during the first shift, Slovakia hit the post, but from the next counterattack of Russia, Tarasenko got to a wristshot from between the circles and send his team to the lead 1:2.

The same happened during the 49th minute. Malkin did a one timer from ideal shooting position in between the circles, but Hudáček saved the day for Slovakia. and after the game`s transition to other side, Gábork payed back for the second period with a slapshot from the left wing - 2:2.

Scoring appetite of Slovakia was then increasing with time running and Russia like if was erased from the play in the last minutes. However Slovaks did not use any of three must-score chances and the game went to the overtime.

Just two minutes in the extra period expired, when Artemi Panarin went to a 1-on-1 struggle with Milan Jurcina. Panarin decided to shoot through the defender and cut the game with a golden goal.

In relation to the game`s result 1:2 OT, it is sure that Russia has it spot in the quarterfinals guaranteed now. It is not the end for Slovakia yet, they can still advance to the tournament`s next stage, but only if gets a three-points victory over USA and Belarus gets one point out of the games against Finland and Norway.

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