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Russia improves to 2-0
Russia improves to 2-0
Goalie Prugova shines in 3-1 win vs. Czechs
Russia's Yekaterina Lebedeva #25 celebrates with Valeria Pavlova #32 and Alexandra Kapustina #44 after scoring Russia's first goal of the game. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/HHOF-IIHF Images)
It was the second day of round-robin action at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship.
Both teams were coming off opening-game victories which saw Russia beat Germany, 4-0, and the Czech Republic take a key 3-2 win away from Sweden.
For the Czechs, the game was a tale of penalty trouble and superb goaltending, while the Russians continued to show that they’re not afraid to use their bodies to block shots or move the puck. Shots on goal were almost even on each side, with 19 for Russia and 20 for the Czech Republic.
The first period was full of spirited play in both ends. Team Russia opened scoring at 3:22. After a brief scramble in front of Czech netminder Radka Lhotska, Russian forward Yekaterina Lebedeva put it away for a 1-0 lead.
Penalty problems for the Czech Republic also started early in the first, with defenceman Katerina Flachsova being sent off for hooking at 6:08.
The Czech penalty kill was strong and did a superb job of limiting Russia’s chances. Building on the momentum, the Czech Republic generated more sustained offence in the second half of the period, forcing Russian goaltender Anna Prugova to make some big saves.
The Czech Republic had more penalty trouble later in the first when forward Lucie Povova was sent off for holding, but the Russians still couldn’t solve the Czech penalty killers.
The Czech Republic came out strong to start the second period, forcing the Russian goaltender to stay sharp. But they went down a man again when forward Eva Holesova went off for tripping. Building on the strength of their penalty kill, the Czechs almost put away a shorthanded goal.
Continue readingThe Czech Republic went to the box again, with forward Tereza Vanisova sent off for tripping. This time, the Russians made no mistake. With plenty of traffic in front, Russian forward Alexandra Vafina tapped the puck in following a cross-crease pass, to bring the score to 2-0.
Just over a minute later, the Czechs were back in the box, this time with Alena Polenska heading off the ice for hooking. Again, a strong Czech penalty kill held the Russians at bay, which gave the Czech team a much-needed power surge. With just over three minutes left in the second period, Czech forward Denisa Krizova rushed in and potted a beautiful goal, sending the Czech-friendly crowd roaring.
Both teams met penalty trouble in the third, but Russia scored a short-handed goal by Tatyana Burina.
In the dying moments of the third, it was clear that Czech legs were getting tired. Although the Czech Republic pulled its goalie with one minute remaining, the contest closed 3-1 in favour of Russia.
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