The Czech Republic repelled a late, desperate charge by defending champions Russia to win their first ice hockey World Championship title since 2005 thanks to a 2-1 victory on Sunday.
Jakub Klepis and Tomas Rolinek were both on target for the Czechs, while goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun produced 35 saves to help clinch a deserved victory.
“I can’t believe we did it,” Czech forward Lukas Kaspar said. “We played a great game today and it was a great win. We’re a great team.”
PHOTO: EPA
The Czechs, who won four of their five previous worlds finals, got off to a flying start, scoring just 20 seconds into the match through Klepis, who fired in off an unguarded post from veteran Jaromir Jagr’s cross.
Russia tried to pin the Czechs back, but their defense remained tight and with Vokoun untouchable in his net, they almost capitalized on a couple of chances before the end of the period under the watchful gaze of Czech President Vaclav Klaus.
Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk had the puck in the net for Russia just at the period-ending horn, but the match referee disallowed his goal after consultation with the video replay judge.
PHOTO: AFP
In the second period, the longstanding rivals, who played their first match at the worlds in 1954, continued trading threats and it was the Czechs who went in for the interval the happier after doubling their lead on 38 minutes, 13 seconds.
Russian star Alexander Ovechkin crashed into teammate Alexander Semin and when he bundled to the ice, Czech defender Karel Rachunek picked up the puck, skated into the Russian zone and slid it to Rolinek to send home.
The referee consulted with the video judge again to ascertain whether the puck had help from the Czech forward’s skate, however this time the goal was allowed.
In the third period, an ever-desperate Russia stepped up a gear, rushing the Czech’s net in waves, only for their rivals to soak up the threat and look for the counterattack.
After a rash of penalties for both sides and bad-tempered clashes, Datsyuk finally gave the Russians hope by netting a powerplay goal with just 36 seconds remaining, but by then it was too late.
“We’re obviously upset,” said Russian skipper Ilya Kovalchuk, who was the competition’s top points scorer with 12 from two goals and 10 assists. “We can’t accept any other place than first. We’re deeply disappointed.”
Earlier on Sunday, Sweden won the bronze medal, beating hosts Germany 3-1 in third-place play-off clash.
The Swedes got off to a lively start scoring through Magnus Paajarvi Svensson, who netted his fifth goal of the tournament, 2 minutes, 56 seconds into the match.
In the second period, Sweden still looked dominant, but it was the hosts forward Alexander Barta who pulled the scores level with 3 minutes, 57 seconds to go before the second break.
Jonas Andersson put the Swedes into the lead again 3 minutes, 57 seconds into the third period, beating Endras with a sharp-angled shot between the pads.
Germany, spurred on by a 15,900 home crowd, went on the attack to try to level, but Sweden were in complete control.
The hosts’ coach Uwe Krupp substituted Endras with the sixth field player with a minute remaining, but only to allow Andersson to score his sixth goal of the championships into the empty net, dashing Germany’s hopes of winning their first worlds’ medals since 1934.
SIBLING RIVALRY: Marc Marquez was locked in a duel with his little brother, falling behind at one point before recovering for his first season-opening victory since 2014 Six-time world champion Marc Marquez yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening Thailand Grand Prix to complete a dominant debut weekend at his new Ducati Lenovo Team, having also romped to Saturday’s sprint. The Spanish great took the 26-lap grand prix by 1.732 seconds for his 63rd MotoGP victory from younger brother Alex Marquez, who is still seeking a first checkered flag, with Francesco Bagnaia third to complete an all-Ducati podium. It completed a perfect weekend for Marc Marquez, who took pole position, the sprint victory and the grand prix win for a maximum 37 points to open the 22-leg 2025 campaign. He led from
Tallon Griekspoor on Friday stunned top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) in the second round at Indian Wells, avenging a devastating loss to the German at Roland Garros last year. Zverev, the world No. 2 who is heading the field of the prestigious ATP Masters event with No. 1 Jannik Sinner serving a three-month drugs ban, is the first Indian Wells men’s top seed to lose his opening match since Andy Murray in 2017. It was a cherished win for Griekspoor, who had lost five straight matches — including four last year — to the German. That included a five-setter
Donovan Mitchell on Wednesday scored 26 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket to the NBA playoffs with a hard-fought 112-107 victory over the Miami Heat. A seesaw battle in Cleveland saw the Heat threaten to end the Cavs’ 11-game unbeaten streak after opening up a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs clawed back the deficit in the closing minutes to seal their 12th straight victory and a place in the post-season. The Cavaliers improved to 52-10, maintaining their stranglehold on the Eastern Conference with 20 games of the regular season remaining. Mitchell was one of six Cleveland
VALUABLE POINT: Relegation-threatened Valencia snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw at CA Osasuna thanks to a remarkable backheel volley by Umar Sadiq Barcelona on Sunday secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad to move back top of La Liga. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon, with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the score sheet. Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis Balompie. Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 visit to face SL Benfica tomorrow and still move one point above Atletico. “There were a lot of things that
RSS