Russia – Denmark 3:0 (0:0; 3:0; 0:0)
Cologne // Russia temporarily new league leaders
The LANXESS arena was entirely in Russian hands. The Russian national team, coached by the old international Oleg Znarok, not only dominated on the ice, there were also around 4000 Russians in the stands Fans set the tone among the 6932 spectators and celebrated the first shutout for their team.
Although dominant (9:3 shots on goal), the Russians were unable to convert their advantage into goals. The Danes didn't make things easy for their opponents with their defensive style of play. So we went into the locker room with a goalless draw.
The northerners started the second third a little more offensively, which was also noticeable in the shooting statistics - in the middle period they even led by 13:12 shots. But the Russians scored the goals: between the 36th and 37th minutes they got serious for the first time and within 70 seconds it was 3-0. Remarkable combinations were completed by Bogdan Kiselevich, Sergei Plotnikov and Nikita Gusev with beautiful shots on goal.
It seemed as if Sbornaja had done their duty, because in the final third they only managed the result. Now the Russians played, showing textbook moves. But George Sörensen in the Danes' goal showed an impeccable performance and defused everything that was still on goal. His counterpart, Andrei Vasilevski (Tampa Bay Lightnings), achieved his first shutout at this World Cup in the fourth match.
His Lightning teammate, Vladislav Namestnikov, drew the following conclusion after the game: “The most important thing from this game is the three points and we will now prepare for the next game. We are right on target and will have to improve to achieve our goal of winning the World Cup!”
Tore: 1 : 0 (35:36) Kiselevich; 2:0 (35:54) Plotnikov; 3:0 Gusev
Punish:2:4
spectator: 6932
Sweden – Latvia (1:0; 0:0; 1:0)
Dirk Unverferth
Cologne // Hard-fought victory
16 NHL players against 13 KHL players with three players from North America – that promised to be an interesting game on paper. Both teams started a little cautiously, tough but fair! The favorite took the lead in the 10th minute. Gabriel Landeskog of the NHL club Colorado Avalanche gave Latvian goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins no chance when he capitalized on an assist from Victor Rask, the brother of Boston Bruins Tuukka Rask.
Latvia began the middle section with one more man on the ice. Another penalty against Sweden gave the Latvians a 30-5 power play situation for 3 seconds - but nothing countable came of it. But the Scandinavians didn't know how to use their superiority either: 12: 3 shots - a clear statement, but without success!
Latvia also started in the majority in the last section - 1:43 minutes, which again went unused. Then the Swedes practically begged for an equalizer. They received one penalty time after the other and were on the ice twice outnumbered from the 46th minute onwards. But with luck and skill they also mastered this situation and took greater initiative again. Then the decision was made three minutes before the end when Elias Lindholm shot in a beautiful puck relay to make the final score 2-0.
Tore: 1:0 (9:13) Landeskog; 2:0 (56:42) Lindholm
Punish: 16 (SWE) : 6 (LAT)
spectator: 8.276
Text. Ivo Jaschick