On May 18 the Czech Republic has defeated Russia (4:3) in overtime in an IHWC quarterfinal at "Arena Riga" after a goal-filled third period.
Zbynek Irgl scored at 7:58 of 4-on-4 overtime to give the defending champions from the Czech Republic a 4-3 win over Russia in a dramatic and entertaining quarter-final. All three of their regulation time goals came on the power play.
The first goal in the match was scored by Alexander Ovechkin on a pass from Evgeni Malkin two-and-a-half minutes into the match.
In the second period, while Russia's Denis Arkhipov was in the penalty box, Tomas Kaberle, assisted by Vyborny, scored a goal for the Czechs.
But early in the third period Jaroslav Hlinka scored another goal, again on the power play. Maxim Sokolov muffed it and the puck skipped off his glove and into the net for a 2:1 Czech lead.
The Russians came right back, though, and tied the game at 5:10 on the game clock. Konstantin Gorovikov won the draw cleanly, and Sergei Mozyakin's quick shot went though Hnilicka's pads.
A penalty to Ovechkin made it three goals for the Czechs on the power play at 7:06 when Hlinka slid a lovely pass from the goal line to Patrick Stefan in the crease.
The result after the third period was 3-3, and the teams returned on the ice for a ten-minute overtime. The first team to score would win the game, and it were the Czechs to score first. The final result was 4:3 in Czech team's favor.
The next match between Belarus and Finland came out to be a final game of the championships also for Belarusian team. Finnish team has defeated Belarus with 3:0 on the scoreboard.
Riku Hahl scored the first goal on an assist from Jarkko Ruutu, with 9.24 on the game clock.
The second period finished goalless.
Less than four minutes into the third period, Ville Peltonen scored the second goal for Finland. With two Belarusian players in the penalty box, Olli Jokinen scored a third goal with less than 6 minutes left in the final period.
The Czechs will now play Finland in the early semi-final on Saturday (16.15) at Riga Arena, while Canada and Sweden meet in the late game (20.15).
For Russia, the drought continues. Unfortunately, this great hockey nation still has to look to 1993 for its last IIHF World Championship gold medal.
"This is a young team with a great future," said Russian Team's head coach Vladimir Krikunov. "I hope next year in Moscow many players come back and compete again."
