2005 WORLD JR. HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP - Dec. 25 - Jan. 4, 2005

[BOREALIS]

Russia 4, Czech Republic 1 ~ played Dec. 27

Russians top Czech Republic
Russia's win sets up showdown between Team USA, Czechs

Posted on Tue, Dec. 28, 2004
By Brad E. Schlossman
Herald Staff Writer


THIEF RIVER FALLS - It was showtime for the other half of Russia's dynamic duo.

The top pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Alexander Ovechkin, scored a goal and had an assist in Russia's 5-4 loss to the United States on Saturday in the World Junior Championship.

Monday, it was Evgeni Malkin's turn to show what he can do. Malkin, the second pick of the 2004 draft behind Ovechkin, scored a goal and added two assists as the Russians topped the Czech Republic 4-1 in Group A play in front of 972 fans in Thief River Falls' Ralph Engelstad Arena.

"They have a good team," Czech forward Petr Vrana said. "They have a lot of playmakers and guys who can score."

Malkin was the flashiest of them against the Czech Republic.

"Compared to the first game, he played with more emotion," Russia coach Valery Bragin said. "He played poised and intense."

The Russian win means the United States has to beat the Czech Republic on Thursday to win Group A.

If the Czechs beat the Americans on Thursday, there will be a three-way tie between Russia, Czech Republic and United States for first in the pool, barring any major upsets. But in that case, the United States wouldn't win the tiebreaker.

The tiebreaker is goal differential in games played between the three teams. With the Russians' win over the Czechs, the Russians are plus-2. If the United States lost to the Czech Republic, the best the Americans could do is even, leaving the winner of the tiebreaker to either Russia or the Czech Republic.

The winner of each group gets a bye to the semifinals.

Team Russia got off to a fast start against the Czechs. It capitalized on its first two power plays in the first period for a 2-0 lead.

As the first power play was about to expire, Russia forward Alexander Radoulov got two whacks at a puck sitting at the top of the goalie crease. Czech goaltender Marek Schwarz made the initial save, but Radoulov scored on the second attempt.

"The first goal is always important," Malkin said. "It gives you an advantage and you become confident. It gets you running, it gets the legs going."

Midway through the first period, Malkin made a good pass from the bottom of the right circle to Sergei Shirokov, who was standing in the slot. Shirokov hit an open left side of the net for the 2-0 lead.

Malkin scored the third goal early in the second period. He stole a pass, walked into the slot and pushed a backhander by Schwarz.

The Russian penalty kill was impressive, holding the Czech Republic to a woeful 1-for-11 on the power play.

"You have to capitalize on the chances you have," Czech Republic coach Alois Hadamczik said, "especially when you are playing a good defense like Russia's."

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/sports/special_packages/world_juniors/10510987.htm