Canada reigned supreme in the tournament, winning every game en route to a gold medal. Russia took home the silver, and were in such a hurry to celebrate they left before the post-game anthem. The US were a bit of a pleasant surprise this year, as the young American squad captured the bronze. While the host Czech's did leave (or stay?) empty-handed, they were able to give legend Jaromir Jagr a send off, as he took home the award for tournament MVP. Usual favourites Sweden and Finland were sent home early, as they lost in the quarter finals. Switzerland and Belarus also had exits early in the playoffs.
Quarter Finals
United States 3 - Switzerland 1
The US had a couple of chances early in the game, but it was the Swiss who got on the board first. Roman Josi channeled his inner Bobby Orr, going end-to-end, beating a wall of American skaters, and putting it past Connor Hellebuyck's blocker. The second was flipped a bit, as the Swiss tried to extend their lead to no success, while the US were getting the goals. Midway though the period, Ben Smith wasted no time shooting a pass from Jimmy Vesey, beating Reto Berra on the shot. A minute later the US struck again. Seth Jones' point shot it Charlie Coyle and found its way into the back of the net. The Americans looked to extend their lead in the third. Nick Bonino had a great chance early on, but was robbed by the glove of Berra. They would eventually score though, as Jake Gardiner's shot beat a screened Berra to put the US up 3-1. The Swiss could not answer back. The US won 3-1, as they moved on to the semi-finals while eliminating Switzerland.
Canada 9 - Belarus 0
This was Canada's from the moment the puck dropped. Brent Burns scored just 26 seconds into the game, and the Canadians took an early lead. Tyler Ennis scored seven minutes later to make it 2-0. It didn't take as long for a third goal, as Ryan O'Reilly redirected Burn's slap pass into the net. A powerplay later in the period led to Tyler Seguin blasting one past a screened Kevin Lalande. The first period ended with Canada up 4-0, and leading 20-3 in shots. Shots in the second period were a little more even, but the scoring was still all Canada. Seguin notched his second of the game minutes into the period, beating Lalande high. A powerplay midway though the period saw Burns get his second of the game as well, as he blast one past a sprawling Lalande. It wasn't until halfway through the third period when Canada struck again, as Seguin completed his hat trick with a powerplay goal. Just minutes later, Lalande would give up a rebound in the slot, and paid for it. O'Reilly would outmuscle a couple of Belarusian and put it past a downed Lalande. Canada's scoring finally came to a halt with under five minutes left, as Jason Spezza outwaited Lalande and beat him high, as the shot also knocked the water bottle off the net. Canada had little trouble in this game, winning 9-0 to advance to the semi-finals and knocking out Belarus.
Sweden 3 - Russia 5
Russia was in control most of the first, and it helped. Sergei Mozyakin scored on a two man advantage to put the Russians up 1-0. Later in the period, a scramble near the Swedish net lead to Sergei Shirokov poking it past a sprawling Jhonas Enroth. Russia struck again just 28 seconds into the second, as Yevgeni Malkin beat Enroth clean. Sweden made a goaltending change soon after, as Anders Nilsson entered the game. Sweden would find the back of the net, as John Klingberg stepped around a Russian defender and beat Sergei Bobrovski. Sweden would get a powerplay early in the third, but did not capitalize until seconds after it expired. Anton Lander received a pass from Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and beat Bobrovski before he could slide over. The Swedes tied the game later in the period, as Lander's shot was redirected by Loui Eriksson and into the net. Russia caught a break 26 seconds later, as Malkin's shot bounced off a Swedish skate and past Nilsson. The Swedes tried, but could not find another tying goal. Vladimir Tarasenko scored an empty netter to seal the game. Russia's 5-3 win puts them into the semi-finals, and eliminates Sweden.
Finland 3 - Czech Republic 5
The Czechs came out firing in the first, wanting to excite the home crowd. It worked early on, as Jan Kovar one-timed a shot past Pekke Rinne to give the host a 1-0 lead nine minutes into the game. The period did not end that way though, as Tuomo Ruttu put home a rebound late in the period to tie the game. Finland stuck early in the second, as Jussi Jokinen slid it through Ondrej Pavelec. The lead lasted until midway through the period, as penalties started hurting the Finns. Jaromir Jagr scored on the man advantage, as he beat a downed Rinne on a backhand. The Czechs were back on the powerplay minutes later, as Kovar scored again to put the host ahead 3-2. Finland tied the game back up minutes into the third, as Aleksander Barkov one-timed Jussi Jokinen's pass past Pavelec. It stayed tied until late in the period, when once again Jagr brought the crowd to their feet. He would step out from behind the net and shoot. Rinne did not get enough of the shot, as it squeezed by him and into the net. Vladimir Sobotka capped off the scoring with a long range empty net goal. The 5-3 win gives the Czech Republic a spot in the semi-finals, and knocks out Finland.
Semi-Finals
Canada 2 - Czech Republic 0
Both teams came out firing in the first, as chance-after-chance was swapped. Despite this, only one goal was scored in the period. On a partial breakaway, Jordan Eberle would pass the puck to a trailing Taylor Hall, who proceeded to beat an out of position Pavelec. Canada controlled most of the second, and was rewarded midway though the period. Spezza snapped a shot past Pavelec to put the Canadians up 2-0. It looked like the Czechs would pull within a goal, as Michal Jordan's shot beat Mike Smith. However, it was called back because of a crease violation by Petr Koukal. The host turned the tables in the third, as they held onto the puck for most of the period. It did not help, as they could not find a way to score against Smith. Canada held on, shutting out the Czech Republic 2-0. Canada moves onto the gold medal game, while the Czech go on to play for the bronze.
United States 0 - Russia 4
Russia got a boost before the game, as Alexander Ovechkin arrived after the Washington Capitals were knocked out of the NHL Playoffs. Both teams put up double-digit shots in the first and second periods, but could not find the back of the net. The best chance came in the second, as Anders Lee had an open net to shoot at, but the shot was stopped by the toe of Bobrovski. Goals finally happened in the third, courtesy of the Russian. Mozyakin cut into the high slot and beat Hellebuyck glove side to put Russia up 1-0. Ovechkin added a second goal minutes later, deking past an American defender before shooting it past Hellebuyck. Vadim Shipachypv scored five minutes later to make it 3-0. Malkin capped off the scoring late in the period, as he rifled it into an empty net. Russia shut out the US 4-0, and get to move on to the gold medal game while the Americans play for bronze.
Bronze Medal Game
United States 3 - Czech Republic 0
The Czechs had a few good chances to open the scoring in the first, but could not beat Hellebuyck. The US managed to score first. Nelson's initial shot was stopped by Pavelec, but his second one ended up bouncing to Bonino, who put the puck into an open net. The Americans extended their lead to two late in the period. Eichel's pass found Trevor Lewis near the crease, who proceeded to whack the puck past Pavelec and into the net. The Czechs looked to catch a break midway through the second, as Bonino was given a double minor for high sticking. The four minute powerplay wasn't enough, as the host failed to capitalize on the man advantage. The US made it 3-0 late in the period, as a give-and-go by Coyle and Bonino saw Coyle's shot from the high slot beat Pavelec. The Czech Republic pressured in the third, desperately looking for a goal. It ended up being all for naught. The US shutout the Czech Republic 3-0 to win the bronze medal.
Gold Medal Game
Canada 6 - Russia 1
Canada was on the attack early on (and for most of the first), getting chance after chance. Bobrovski did well turning them aside. Russia did have a few chances of their own, but could not beat Smith. Canada's relentless pressure paid off late in the period. Tyler Ennis' shot from the top of the faceoff circle hit Cody Eakin's skate and slid past Bobrovski, putting the Canadian up 1-0. Canada struck early in the second. Just under two minute in, Ennis skated behind the Russian net and scored on a wrap around attempt. Russia managed a great chance a bit later, but Mozyakin's one-timer hit the outside of the net. Crosby scored minutes later, taking a pass from Eberle and beating Bobrovski with a high shot. 44 seconds later, Canada struck again. Tyson Barrie's pass sent Claude Giroux on a partial break. While Giroux could not coral the puck until it was too late, he managed to spin and sent a pass to a streaking Tyler Seguin. Seguin wasted no time snapping the puck past a sliding Bobrovski. Russia pressured soon after that goal, but it was quickly killed, as Malkin received a slashing penalty. It was the story of the second period for Russia, as any momentum they built was killed off with a penalty. The worst was late in the period, as they were assessed a too many men penalty while trying to keep the puck in Canada's zone. Russia only managed one shot in the second period. Canada could not manage another goal in the period, as they ended the second up 4-0. Russia looked to have a powerplay seconds into the third, as O'Reilly was sent to the box for slashing and breaking Tarasenko's stick. It was quickly overturned, as it was determined Tarasenko broke his own stick on a slash. Canada would get a powerplay midway though the period, as Viktor Tikhonov sent the puck over the glass. The Canadians capitalized on the man advantage, as Giroux took a pass from Crosby and beat Bobrovski. Less than a minute later, Canada struck again. Nathan MacKinnon's shot from near the faceoff dot hit Bobrovski and fell into the back of the net. Russia eventually got on the board, as Mozyakin's blast from above the slot went though Smith and into the net. That was it, as Canada held on to beat Russia 6-1 and win the gold medal.
Final Ranking
1 (Gold) - Canada
2 (Silver) - Russia
3 (Bronze) - United States
4 - Czech Republic
5 - Sweden
6 - Finland
7 - Belarus
8 - Switzerland
9 - Slovakia
10 - Germany
11 - Norway
12 - France
13 - Latvia
14 - Denmark
15 (Relegated) - Austria
16 (Relegated) - Slovenia
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