The Daily Planet
Update from the IIHF World Championship, May 13
Tuesday, 05.13.2008 / 11:52 AM
/ Features
By Mike Vogel
- WashingtonCaps.com Senior Writer
Print
Monday was the final day of qualifying round play at the IIHF World Championship in Quebec City/Halifax. Tuesday is generally known as relegation day, but France defeated Italy and Slovakia downed Slovenia in two straight, meaning a third and deciding game won’t be necessary in either series. As a result, no games will be played on Tuesday. Single-elimination medal round play begins on Wednesday.
All eight quarter-finalists are in action on Wednesday, with the four winners advancing to semi-final play on Friday. The bronze medal game is on Saturday and the 2008 World Championship concludes on Sunday with the gold medal game.
The Czech Republic takes on Sweden at 1 p.m. and Russia faces Switzerland in 7:15 p.m. in the two Quebec City games. Norway plays Canada at 4:30 and Team USA goes up against Finland at 8:15 in Wednesday’s games at Halifax.
The semis will be held on Friday in Quebec City with the winner of the Czech Republic-Sweden game facing the winner of the Canada-Norway contest. The winner of the Russia-Switzerland tilt takes on the winner of USA-Finland.
You can watch all the action streamed live at www.wscn.com.
Here is an update on how the Capitals’ participants in the tournament are faring.
Alex Ovechkin (Russia) – He has five goals and eight points is plus-5 in six games while averaging 17:43 in ice time. Ovechkin was named his team’s best player in Saturday’s game against Sweden. He scored the game-winner with six seconds remaining to give Russia a 3-2 win in that contest. Ovechkin is tied for third among all tournament participants with five goals.
Alexander Semin (Russia) – Was named best Russian player for the game in his team’s 7-1 win over Italy. Semin had two goals and an assist and was a plus-4 in that game. Overall, Semin has three goals, eight points and is plus-5 while skating an average of 18:37.
Sergei Fedorov (Russia) – Has three goals and seven points and is plus-5 while averaging 18:02. Fedorov was named Team Russia’s top performer in its win over Denmark. He had a goal and an assist in that game.
Simeon Varlamov (Russia) – Injured in practice and sidelined for the tournament.
Nicklas Backstrom (Sweden) – Has three goals and six points and is plus-2 in Sweden’s six games. He has averaged 18:05. With a 66.13% face-off success rate in the tournament, Backstrom ranks sixth among all players.
Mike Green (Canada) – Has three goals and six points and is plus-1 while averaging 14:44 in six games. Green’s six points are tied for fourth among all defensemen in the tournament.
Cristobal Huet (France) – Was named best Team France player in his team’s 4-1 loss to Switzerland. Stopped 44 of the 48 shots he faced in that game. Huet defeated Italy twice in relegation play to help keep France from being relegated to Division I play for the 2009 tournament. For the tournament, Huet was 2-3 with a 3.60 goals against average and a .911 save pct.
Tomas Fleischmann (Czech Republic) – Has two goals and five points and is plus-6 while averaging 12:37 in six games. Fleischmann’s plus-6 is tied for 10th among all players in the tournament.
Jakub Klepis (Czech Republic) – Has an assist and is even while averaging 10:49 in four games.
Sami Lepisto (Finland) – Has an assist and is plus-1 while skating an average of 12:53 in four games.
All eight quarter-finalists are in action on Wednesday, with the four winners advancing to semi-final play on Friday. The bronze medal game is on Saturday and the 2008 World Championship concludes on Sunday with the gold medal game.
The Czech Republic takes on Sweden at 1 p.m. and Russia faces Switzerland in 7:15 p.m. in the two Quebec City games. Norway plays Canada at 4:30 and Team USA goes up against Finland at 8:15 in Wednesday’s games at Halifax.
The semis will be held on Friday in Quebec City with the winner of the Czech Republic-Sweden game facing the winner of the Canada-Norway contest. The winner of the Russia-Switzerland tilt takes on the winner of USA-Finland.
You can watch all the action streamed live at www.wscn.com.
Here is an update on how the Capitals’ participants in the tournament are faring.
Alex Ovechkin (Russia) – He has five goals and eight points is plus-5 in six games while averaging 17:43 in ice time. Ovechkin was named his team’s best player in Saturday’s game against Sweden. He scored the game-winner with six seconds remaining to give Russia a 3-2 win in that contest. Ovechkin is tied for third among all tournament participants with five goals.
Alexander Semin (Russia) – Was named best Russian player for the game in his team’s 7-1 win over Italy. Semin had two goals and an assist and was a plus-4 in that game. Overall, Semin has three goals, eight points and is plus-5 while skating an average of 18:37.
Sergei Fedorov (Russia) – Has three goals and seven points and is plus-5 while averaging 18:02. Fedorov was named Team Russia’s top performer in its win over Denmark. He had a goal and an assist in that game.
Simeon Varlamov (Russia) – Injured in practice and sidelined for the tournament.
Nicklas Backstrom (Sweden) – Has three goals and six points and is plus-2 in Sweden’s six games. He has averaged 18:05. With a 66.13% face-off success rate in the tournament, Backstrom ranks sixth among all players.
Mike Green (Canada) – Has three goals and six points and is plus-1 while averaging 14:44 in six games. Green’s six points are tied for fourth among all defensemen in the tournament.
Tomas Fleischmann (Czech Republic) – Has two goals and five points and is plus-6 while averaging 12:37 in six games. Fleischmann’s plus-6 is tied for 10th among all players in the tournament.
Jakub Klepis (Czech Republic) – Has an assist and is even while averaging 10:49 in four games.
Sami Lepisto (Finland) – Has an assist and is plus-1 while skating an average of 12:53 in four games.
