Game 3: RUSSIA 4 – Czech Republic 2

Goals: Malkin (Datsyuk, Ovechkin), Kozlov (Radulov, Fedorov), Malkin (Semin, Tyutin), Datsyuk (Malkin, Ovechkin) – Plekanec (Elias, Kaberle), M. Michalek (Zidlicky, Blatak)
Shots: Russia 31 – Czech Republic 25
Saves: Nabokov 23 – Vokoun 28
PIM: Russia 12 – Czech Republic 6

After an unexpected loss, Russia stepped up their game to beat long-time rivals Czech Republic and win Group B of the tournament. Russia also clinched the #3 position in the overall points rankings. In a consistently tense game, hard battles were fought, brilliant saves made, and mistakes taken advantage of. After being shifted to Ovechkin’s line, Malkin emerged as the most productive player. Ovechkin himself continued to dominate with his physical play, including wiping out equally-strong Jaromir Jagr with a hit that led to the game-winning goal. Datsyuk, now centering Kovalchuk’s line, played over 20 minutes and was crucial in neutralizing the Czech powerplay. Russia did not escape injuries though, as Zinoviev sat out the third period due to hurting his leg from a hit involving Radulov and Czech David Krejci.

Photo Gallery:

Russia’s mega powerplay unit of Ovechkin, Malkin, Gonchar, Datsyuk, and Kovalchuk finally scored

Denis Grebeshkov tries to contain Jaromir Jagr

Pasha Datsyuk scored an empty-net goal in the last minute

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