World Championship Update - Medal Games and Final Standings

Earlier today was the conclusion of the World Championship in Slovakia, so lets recap the two medal games.

Bronze Medal Game

Czech Republic 7 - Russia 4

Well, that was a shootout wasn't it? It's almost like they played with empty nets. This is probably true for Russia as Konstantin Balurin (Atlant Mytishi - KHL) only saved 21 out of 27 shots (the Czech's 7th goal was an empty netter). On the other end, Ondrej Pavalec (Winnipeg Atlanta Thrashers) was able to stop 39 out of 43 shots. Russia did lead after the first 3-2, but the Czech's stormed back in the second. Lead by Roman Cervenka's (Avangard Omsk - KHL) two goals (making it a hat-trick for him), the Czech had a 5-4 lead going into the third. Jan Marek (Atlant Mytishi - KHL) scored to make it 6-4 Czech's. Tomas Pleckanec (Montreal Canadiens) iced the game with an empty net goal 35 seconds after Russia pulled Balurin. The Czechs end up with the Bronze Medal while Russia settles from 4th.

Gold Medal Game

Sweden 1 - Finland 6

Here is what happened in the first two periods: 0-0 after one, Magnus Paajarvi (Edmonton Oilers) for Sweden and Jarkko Immonen (Ak Bars Kazan - KHL) of Finland made the game 1-1 after two. In the third period, Finald just EXPLODED. Two goals in the first 3:21 and three more in the last 3:19 of the period. Viktor Fasth (AIK Stockholm - SEL) only saved 26 out of 31 shots against. His counterpart, Petri Vehanen (Ak Bars Kazan), saved 32 out of 33. This is Finland's first gold medal since 1995.

Final Standings

1 (Gold) - Finland
2 (Silver) - Sweden
3 (Bronze) - Czech Republic
4 - Russia
5 - Canada
6 - Norway
7 - Germany
8 - USA
9 - Switzerland
10 - Slovakia
11 - Denmark
12 - France
13 - Latvia
14 - Belarus
15 (Relegated) - Austria
16 (Relegated) - Slovenia