Sweden, Switzerland and Russia qualified for the next round of the championships

  • 2006-05-09
  • By TBT staff
Really hard-working Belarusian team gave Russia all it could handle Monday [May 8] afternoon at Arena Riga, but couldn't maintain the one-goal lead it took into the third period, losing 3-2 on Alexander Kharitonov's goal with 6:41 left on the clock.



"We knew this would be a hard and tough game, and we tried to prepare for it that way," Russian Head Coach Vladimir Krikunov told International Ice Hockey Federation. "We knew it would be difficult to motivate our players. Some were a little too sure of themselves. But we started playing to our abilities when facing the possibility of defeat, Krikunov added.
The goaltender Sergei Zvyagin was named Russia's Player of the Game and forward Andrei Kostitsyn took the honors for Belarus.

Meanwhile, Switzerland won over the Ukrainian team (2:1) at the Skonto Arena. With this win Switzerland secured their spot in the Qualifying Round going into Wednesday's game versus Sweden, while Ukraine will now face Italy in a battle to avoid the Relegation Round.

Along with Russia and Switzerland, Sweden, which scored three power play goals and as a result had an easy 4-0 win over Italian team, also ensured their spot in the next round.

However, who will qualify for the next championship's round, Slovakia, which is now tied with Belarus in Group C at two points a piece, will face Russia on May 10, but Belarus will face Kazakhstan the same day.