U18: Czechs experienced against Finns one of the greatest collapse in their hockey history

20 Apr 2011 | David Schlegel

One of the greatest collapses on international level could be seen in the Energie Verbund Arena in Dreseden. The Czechs led over Finns 3-2 with less than six minutes to go. Even their loss by one goal could result in advancing to the quarterfinals in case of Canada beating Sweden later that night.

However, the Finns tied the game and the Czechs collapsed. They allowed two breakaways when Kallela and Hännikäinen went all alone on goalie Machiovsky and scored. The winning goal for Finland came with 31 seconds to go. The Czech coaches were so stunned in disbelief, they even did not call for a time-out. "When it was 3-4 we were so down. We were thinking about the night game, if Canada can beat Sweden, and then the next Finnish goal came," said sadly the Czech attacker Tomas Hertl. "We started to watch the clocks and stop playing," admitted Czech goalie Matej Machovsky.

The Canada - Sweden game brought the highest crowd to the stands and the game was even broadcasted live in Canada through the TSN channel. Canadians started better, were a better team, paradoxically until Ryan Murphy, who played a marvelous game and outplayed most of his opponents, scored a 2nd goal. 17 seconds later Linus Fröberg cut the lead and another big turnover started.
"We stopped to keep our tactics, lost our concentration, allowed three easy goals and the game was over," said Nick Cousins. Swedish players accomplished their goal to win the group in spite of losing to the Czechs in the opener. "It was incredible. We won the group and we gained one more day off to get ready for the medal round," said Swedish captain Oscar Klefbom. "The third goal was the key one. It gave us an important energy," he added.

Team USA beat Germany 7-3, but the home team showed a fine resistance with a lot of support from the home crowd. "We scored lucky goals to 2-0, but the rest of the game was quite tough for us. We knew Germans would never give up and work hard no matter what the score is. They showed it in the game against Russia. I wish them good luck into the quarterfinals," said Ron Rolston, the head coach of the USA. "The US team showed how disciplined players they have. We worked hard and wanted to please the fans. They were fantastic as they always are. Tomorrow we will make a trip into Ergebirge Mountains," said a native Canadian Setters, who will meet his homeland in the quarterfinals.

Russia secured its spot for the quarterfinals already in the 1st period when it demolished Switzerland 4-0. The final score was 8-3 and the main star of the game was Mikhail Grigorenko, who scored 2 goals and added 4 more assists. "It was important we started the game well. We slowed down a little bit in the 2nd, but we have made it," said Grigorenko. The victory was a gift for a Russian coach Yuri Rumyanstev, who celebrated his 55th birthday. He received a history book about hockey in Crimmitschau from the organizers. "It was a crucial game for us. Thank you guys for pleasing me," he said. "Our guys worked hard, but made way too many mistakes to succeed against such a team like Russia is," added Manuele Celio, a head coach of team Switzerland.

Russia - Switzerland 8:3 (4:0, 3:2, 1:1)
Goals: 20., 31. and 52. Kutscherov, 10. and 40. Grigorenko, 5. Jakupov, 17. Nesterov, 34. Jakimov - 31. Simion, 34. Neuenschwander, 54. Andrighetto.

United States - Germany 7:3 (2:0, 4:2, 1:1)
Goals: 2. and 30. Miller, 14. and 31. Boucher, 36. Carlson, 40. Biggs, 56. Pietila - 29. Uvira, 30. Fischbuch, 47. Pföderl.

Finland - Czech Republic 5:3 (0:1, 1:1, 4:1)
Goals: 33. Aaltonen, 41. Järväläinen, 55. Armia, 56. Kallela, 60. Hännikäinen - 19. Jaskin, 40. Rousek, 52. Sedlak.

Sweden - Canada 4:2 (0:1, 0:0, 4:1)
Goals: 43. Fröberg, 55. Björklund, 55. Klefbom, 60. Nermark - 13. Cousins, 42. Murphy.