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A 4 vs4 game
- Davide Tuniz from Bern
In a game plenty of penalties, Sweden better used superiorities and won against Czech Republic
Last quarter-finals in Bern promises a lot: Sweden and Czech Republic are in good shape despite many critics from Czech press for Vladimir Ruzicka side. Czech Republic - Sweden is also the challenge between two prolific pair: Petr Cajanek-Jaromir Jagr versus Linus Omark-Kristian Huselius. This is game number 12 between two teams and Sweden leads 7-4: last two games at IHWC smiles at Tre Kronor: last yesr in Canada was 3-2 Sweden at overtime in quarter-finals, while 2006 remind is sweeter for Nordics: 4-0 in gold medal match in Riga. Also for Czech last victory over Sweden has a special taste: in Wien, IHWC 2005 semifinal, a 3-2 at overtime that sent Czech towards its triumph in a memorable 3-0 over Canada.
Game starts very blocked, with many penalties and few chances to score despite teams having played in power play most of time. Penalties continues to influence game and just at end of first Czech Republic has 3 great chances with Jan Marek and Ales Kotalik but Gustavsson is reactive.
Cajanek digging for the puck in front of the Swedish net
Photo: Roman Kucera
Second period begins as the first: penalties over penalties but Sweden takes advantage from a controversial 5vs3 situation: Michalek and Rolinek are out, Mattias Weinhandl duets with Magnus Johansson and cut down Stepanek. Czech react immediately and have a pair of chances but Jonas Gustavsson put his application to best goalie award. At min 31 Loui Eriksson could kill the game but also Stepanek proved he deserved the election to best rookie in last Extraliga. Vitkovice Goalie blocked a dangerous Magnus Johansson's shot at min.32.
Sweden scores again on power-play: with Jakub Klepis in the sinbin, Weinhadl shot from same position of 1st goal, Stepanek rebound but Dick Tarnstrom is ready to tap in.
Huselius looking for Weinhandl
Photo: Roman Kucera
Same power play efficency is not a Czech prerogative: Jagr misses a deflection after 3 minutes in last period. At min. 46 Gustavsson post is shaked by a terrific Patrik Elias' shot. Crucial momentum at 48:48 during a 5vs3 situation: Kristian Huselius lost the puck, Tomas Rolinek starts the counterattack perfectly finalized by Petr Cajanek. Czech put pressure and at min. 52 Marek Zidlicky hits an incredible bar, puck dances on the line but no-one manages to put it in the net.
Czech Republic increases pressure, but Swedish fort doesn't capitulate and bit opponents for deathblow : with 3 minutes to go Stepanek is stellar on Weinhandl close shot but is beaten in the same move by a longrange shot from Kenny Jonsson.
Sweden deservedly earns semifinals, Czech Republic can moan for many mistakes during superiorities and a gloomy Jaromir Jagr
Sweden - Czech Republic 3-1 (0-0,2-0,1-1)
1-0 23:53 Mattias Weinhandl (Magnus Johansson)PP2
2-0 38:49 Dick Tarnstrom (Mattias Weinhandl,Tony Martensson)PP
2-1 48:48 Petr Cajanek (Tomas Rolinek)SH2
3-1 57:46 Kenny Jonsson (Marcus Nilson)
Att: 10.250
MVP: Jonas Gustavsson - Patrik Elias
Story added on 7th May 2009 at 20:33 GMT
Story submitted by: Davide Tuniz, last edited by Henrik Lundqvist.
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