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Spectacular goal by Mikko Koivu takes Finland to the final
Russian gold medal dream spoiled by the neighbours in the west.
Mikko Koivu scored the game-winning goal at 5:40 of the overtime period to send Russia to the bronze medal game and Finland to the final. In the shift before Sergei Zinoviev had a great chance to become the Russian hero, but Finland with Kari Lehtonen in the net survived the Russian attack.
The Finns will play their first World Championship final since 2001. 1995 Finland captured their only gold medals so far.
Russia, who had won all their games of the tournament until today missed their best scorer, Aleksei Morozov, who was injured in the Quarter Final. Finland had to play without blue-liner Petteri Nummelin, also injured.
Finland played aggressive to try to stop the speedy Russians in the first period. Sometimes too aggressive. At 5:40 Sean Bergenheim received a five minutes + game misconduct penalty for a kneeing on Andrei Markov. After three minutes of Bergenheim’s penalty Evgeny Malkin scored 1-0. From the right face-offs circle Malkin took a high shot to beat Kari Lehtonen.
A few minutes after the Russian goal, Finland’s Mikko Koivu was sent off for 2+10 minutes after a checking from behind on Ivan Nepryaev. On the following power play Russia didn’t score. Instead Finland tied the game at one when Jukka Hentunen scored on a break-away.
Finland started the second period best but failed to beat Russian goalie Aleksandr Eremenko again until the game winner. With five minutes left in the regulation Russia had a couple of great chances to score but the second and third period remained score-less.
Mikko Koivu’s game winning goal was spectacular. Tuomo Ruutu took a loose shot from the right boards. When Eremenko was about to hit the puck Koivu lifted his stick to steal the puck and score.
"They had all the pressure," said Finland's Pekka Saravo. "Every minute we could keep the game close, it was more pressure for them than for us. We followed the game plan today."
In the final tomorrow Finland will play the winner of Sweden and Canada. Russia will play the bronze medal game against the loser.
"I apologize to fans, and I hope they understand I still believe in this team," said Russian Head Coach Vyachelsav Bykov. "Our players gave their all today. It's difficult mentally because everyone was looking for victory today. But we must concentrate on the next game."
Game summary
By Henrik Lundqvist
Story added on 12th May 2007 at 14:08 GMT
Story submitted by: Henrik Lundqvist, last edited by Joeri Loonen.