The match between the national teams of Russia and Denmark is from this particular opera. The beginning of the meeting, and the entire first period as a whole, turned out to be rather calm. The Russians, as expected, played the first number, and the Danes defended themselves, and they did it successfully. I had a good moment Dadonova but his close range throw Sørensen repulsed with a trap.

The second twenty minutes began with a deadly situation at the Danish gates. Andronov shot at Telegin, which had only to correctly adjust to the puck and apply accurate throw, but Ivan could not do either one or the other. Wards Oleg Znarka pressed, and, in the end, their efforts were crowned with success. At the 35th minute Kiselevich got a pass from Panarina, threw with middle distance and opened an account. And here the Russians broke through. Literally fifteen seconds after the first goal Plotnikov, being all alone at the Sorensen goal, received a pass, beat the goalkeeper and sent the puck into the net. And a minute later, Gusev took advantage of the rebound from the goalkeeper and drove the projectile under the crossbar.

In the third period, nothing has changed significantly. The Russian national team won 3-0 and topped the table in Group A.

Znarok: called Ovechkin to the national team even with an injury

Main coach the Russian national team Oleg Znarok spoke about the victory over the Danes and explained why Alexander Ovechkin would not come to the 2017 World Cup.

Ovechkin will not come to the World Cup, Kuznetsov and Orlov will strengthen the national team

The captain of the Washington Capitals will not play in the 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship for the Russian national team. This was reported to the "Championship" in the press service of the national team.

Command Alexandra Ovechkina, Evgeniya Kuznetsova and Dmitry Orlov Washington Capitals lost at home Pittsburgh Penguins»With a score of 0: 2 in decisive match semifinal series of the Eastern Conference and lost in the series -3-4.

Ovechkin will not be able to help the national team in the World Cup due to a lower body injury. The headquarters of the national team contacted three Russian players of "Washington", and they all agreed. However, Ovechkin, in an interview with the coaches, said that he always came to the national team at the first call and was ready to do it now, but did not want to let the team down, as he finished the playoffs with painkillers.

Two other Russians from Washington, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov, will soon join the national team.

"I feel sorry for Sasha, but Kuznetsov and Orlov are a serious strengthening for the national team"

Kucherov feels sorry for Ovechkin, Tretyak hopes for the health of Orlov and Kuznetsov, Panarin is happy for Vasilevsky, and Dadonov has not forgotten English.

Norwegian Gambit

The duel between the teams of the Czech Republic and Norway turned out to be much more stubborn. Both teams failed to open an account in 60 minutes of regular time. As expected, the Czechs were much closer to this, having thrown over their rivals three times, but a real wall in their face grew up in their gates Larsa Hugen... The former Dynamo Minsk goalkeeper rescued his partners in the most incredible situations, and the Czech forwards did not understand for a long time how to break through the goalkeeper who had caught the courage.

The first and only one who succeeded was the striker of Metallurg Magnitogorsk Jan Kovar... At the beginning of overtime, the Czechs fled into a 2v1 counterattack. Erzabek brought Pastrnyak to a rendezvous with Haugen. The Boston forward failed to outplay the goalkeeper, but managed to grab the puck and give it to the oncoming Kovarzh. From the first time, he also failed to break through the goalkeeper, but Ian played on the finishing move, and the puck literally crawled into the Norwegian goal. Thus, the Czech Republic won and took the third place in its group.

The French almost caused a sensation again

In the main match of the day in the Paris group, the hosts of the tournament - the national team of France - hosted the team of Canada. And here the wards Dave Henderson, which have already presented one sensation at the championship, defeating the Finns, hardly surprised the hockey community for the second time. The account was quite expectedly opened by the founders of hockey - they did it Ryan O'Reilly... Only further events began to develop not at all according to their plan. In the middle of the starting game segment Olivier Dam-Malca leveled the position, and in the opening of the second period Damien Fleury and brought the national team of the Fifth Republic forward at all. The French have successfully played too much.

The former Dynamo Minsk goalkeeper rescued his partners in the most incredible situations, and the Czech forwards did not understand for a long time how to break through the goalkeeper who had caught the courage.

The sensational score lasted almost until the second break, while Claude Giroud from transmission Chris Lee his did not equalize. At the beginning of the third period Mark-Eduard Vlasich, who recently arrived at the location of the Canadian national team, for the third time upset Floriana Hardy... With that score, the game ended. Canada topped Group B, but the French are just two points away from fourth, which means they'll still be competing for the playoffs.

The implementation of the majority failed Latvia in the match with the Swedes

The Latvian national team was able to provide a worthy resistance to the Swedes. Landeskog on the 10th minute he opened the scoring, and for a long time he kept just that form. Moreover, the Latvians had enough chances to equalize it. Command Boba hartley twice had an advantage of 5 by 3, but could not realize it. At the beginning of the third period, the Swedish national team played almost ten minutes in the minority, but Latvia had obvious problems with playing too much. Punished them Lindholm, who successfully played the finishing move and put an end to the match. 2-0 - Sweden beat Latvia and, thanks to this victory, moved up to the playoff zone, finishing fourth in Group A.

Dave Henderson's wards, who have already brought a sensation at the championship, defeating the Finns, hardly surprised the hockey community for the second time.

Henrik Lundqvist will strengthen the Swedish national team

New York Rangers goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist will take part in the 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship. This was reported on the official website of the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation.

The Rangers were eliminated from the Stanley Cup after being defeated by the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference semifinals. After three matches of the world championship, the Swedes have four points to their credit and occupy the fifth place in group A.

Lundqvist in last time performed at the world championship in 2008. He is Olympic champion 2006 and the silver medalist of the Olympic Games 2014.

The Ice Hockey World Championship starts this week. We present our rating of the goalkeeper lines of the national teams participating in the 2017 World Cup.

Dreiseitl will play for Germany, McDavid will not come to the World Cup

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Dreiseitl will play for the German national team at the 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship. Yahoo Sports reported.

The German forward played 82 matches in the regular season, in which he scored 77 (29 goals, 48 ​​assists), becoming the eighth league scorer. In 13 playoff games, he scored 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) and went with his team to the Western Conference semifinals, where he lost to the Anaheim Ducks in seven games.

Another leader of "Edmonton" Connor McDavid won't help Canada's national team at.

Also, the New York Rangers defender Brady Shay and striker Kevin Hayes will play for the US national team.

Washington is destroyed 2: 6. This Pittsburgh is so great that the outcome of the main series in the NHL is already clear.

Very soon, in about a week, the Russian national team can keep in mind the wonderful five for the World Cup.

Alexander Ovechkin - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Nikita Kucherov

Dmitry Orlov - Ivan Provorov

Or something like that. This will be the 13th world championship for Alexander the Great, and he will repeat the eternal record of Vladislav Tretyak. Nobody else in the history of our hockey has played at this tournament. And there is a new goal ahead. The all-time record belongs to Swiss defender Matthias Seger (16). But Sasha is only 31 years old, and he still has something to come.

It hurts to admit, but “Washington” has no chance in a series with such a “Pittsburgh”. It used to be a two-headed dragon (Crosby - Malkin), but in the playoffs more and more new heads grow: Kessel, Fleury, Guntzel ... Some kind of monster.

If you look at the grid, then everything goes to the final dream for North America when the Stanley Cup is played by Pittsburgh and Edmonton. Crosby vs. McDavid - what could be better?

Well, we wish Alexander Ovechkin to win the world championship. This scenario repeats from year to year, and nothing changes. What did we see in this match?

Washington organized again starting bulk: 16 - 5 on shots in the first period. It was important to score a goal first, build on the success. But it turned out 0: 0 on the scoreboard, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury played like a young Tretiak.

The second period, like two days ago, began again with the fact that Pittsburgh caught the hosts on the loss of concentration. Matt Cullen escaped in the minority and scored a goal.

It was the removal of Jack Guntzel, who hooked TJ Oshi. After all, this is the majority of "Washington" scored. I must say that at that moment Alexander Ovechkin gave a wonderful pass.

But at the end of the period, Phil Kessel distinguished himself. And here you come to indescribable delight, how great Sidney Crosby played when he got the puck on the left flank and entered the zone, making an inimitable puck-puck-skate feint surrounded by three opponents. Kessel was alone on the right, and when he received a pass, no one bothered him to score.

But Crosby also blocked shots twice. He went under the puck with the score 2: 1 to keep the advantage. Yes, Sidney Crosby made his 52nd playoff game with more than one point. And he overtook SuperMario himself in this indicator - this is a club record. The owner of the Pence, Mario Lemieux, smiled contentedly from the box as he watched his team smash the Washington.

Güntzel's take, Kessel's take. At first, the judges did not count Evgeni Malkin's goal, thinking that he interfered with the goalkeeper. But we studied the preview and showed it to the center - there was a goal. Malkin is beautiful too. Scored 2 (1 + 1) points, retained the lead in the list top scorers Stanley Cup.

And the goalkeeper for “Washington” was already different - after the third puck, Braden Holtby went to the reserve, Philip Grubauer came out instead - and conceded two. The sixth flew into the empty net of the Capitals, although the goalkeeper could not have been removed.

The worst thing for Washington is not that the team started the streak with two home defeats and found themselves on the edge of the abyss. And the fact that all this (2: 6, Cullen goal outnumbered, alien Crosby, Holtby's replacement, multi-headed dragon) dealt a terrible blow to the confidence of the Capitals players.

They already had questions about the composition. For example, star defender Kevin Shattenkirk, who was recruited on a deadline boost, scored 0 goals in eight playoff games and received a -7 for utility. The series with Toronto turned out to be stubborn and exhausting. But now Pittsburgh is just taking out Washington. It's a shame for Ovechkin ...

But this feeling in a couple of days after the Caps' departure will dull, it will be forgotten. After all, it is familiar, no longer spicy. And we will again rejoice at how Alexander the Great plays at the World Championship.

To each his own. And who said it was bad?

Scoreboard

Washington - Pittsburgh - 2: 6 (0: 0, 1: 3, 1: 3)

Niskanen (Ovechkin), Backstrom (Ovechkin) - Cullen, Kessel, Gyntzel (2), Kessel (Malkin), Malkin

V: Ovechkin (0 + 2; -2, 0, 3, 23.19)

Kuznetsov (0 + 0; -3, 0, 3, 18.10)

Orlov (0 + 0; -1, 0, 1, 18.51)

V: Malkin (1 + 1; +1, 2, 3, 14.23)

Series score: 0-2 (2:3, 2:6)

Several stars of our hockey were collected at once -,. However, the most famous and promoted Russian player- - apparently, will miss the championship of the planet for the first time since 2009. According to "SE", most likely, the coaching staff of the national team will not call the striker even if his team is kicked out of the Stanley Cup.

Pavel KLIMOVITSKY

12 world championships, three golds, two silvers and three bronzes. 73 matches, 33 goals and 61 points. Alexander Ovechkin always came to the national team: healthy and sick, when he did not get into the playoffs and when he flew out during the Stanley Cup. He came to the whole tournament, during his course and even for one or two matches, never wondering why?

The only case since 2003 when Ovechkin was not at the championship happened eight years ago in Bern - Alexander simply did not make it to the national team after the failure of “Washington”. Imagine: one missed tournament in 14 seasons! Russian stars of the 90s never dreamed of this.

He also promised that he would go to the Olympics. When everyone, even the biggest players, turned their tails between their tails, declaring how sad it was that Pyeongchang 2018 would be held without NHL players, Alexander spoke up and said the very words that others were afraid to say. As if hinting: Ovechkin is the Russian national team. The Russian national team is Ovechkin.

But the leadership main team, apparently, decided to do without Ovechkin at this championship. At first glance, the decision is strange and, perhaps, even absurd. Considering all of the above, given the media size of Alexander, almost overlapping the popularity of all other players in the national team combined.

However, if you think about it, you can find some positive aspects. Imagine Ovechkin's state after conditional departure of the Capitals. This is not a cheerful one, who has a long-term NHL career ahead of him and many more chances to win the coveted Cup. Who in the national team, despite two gold medals at the World Championships, has achieved little on an individual basis - and he will not, and cannot have, problems with motivation.

Ovechkin will be a priori depressed: by the heavy burden of a new fiasco, by his inexpressive game both in the regular season and in the playoffs. And for many sports fans who don't follow hockey so closely, it may come as a revelation that Ovechkin often did not stand out at the world championships.

In 2007 - 3 (1 + 2) points in 8 matches (though he was already a star and then played in the fourth link).

In 2011 - 0 (!) Points in 5 matches.

In 2016 at home World Cup - 2 (1 + 1) points in 6 matches.

And in all three cases, Ovechkin came to the national team during the tournament - emotionally and physically emasculated. Do you want to repeat the situation?

And it's not just fatigue. “SE” has repeatedly written about this, but it will not be superfluous to repeat: Ovechkin in this team may not find a role.

We must clearly understand - yes, Alexander is one of the greatest hockey players of our time, but right now, at the time of May 5, 2017, he does not have powerful game advantages over competitors for a place on the left flank of the attack - and, - that would overlap their best emotional state and teamwork with partners. Alas, Ovechkin today is not a hockey Ronaldo. It is replaceable.

So is it worth Znark to break the team over the knee and give himself and others a headache because of the possible arrival of a superstar? In addition, we do not know the opinion of Ovechkin himself. It is likely that Alexander is also ready to take a break. After all, he has already become world champion three times. And in February next year, the Olympics will be held in Pyeongchang. And if Ovechkin does get on it, then absolutely it will be the tournament of his life.

And we shouldn't bury Alexander and his "Washington" ahead of time. We will see him in the jersey of the national team, and more than once. Let him still make an incredible comeback with his team in series c (Capitals lose in series 1-3). And let Ovechkin take the Stanley Cup and fulfill his dream, which will allow him to finally enter the host of the greatest forwards in the history of world hockey.

OVECHKIN ALWAYS ATTENDED WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Since 2004, Alexander Ovechkin has taken part in 12 world championships, missing only the gold tournament for Russia in Switzerland. And even then because of the very early timing of the championship, which ended on May 10 - earlier than all the series of the second round of the Stanley Cup. (Kirill BURDAKOV)

Ovechkin at the world championships

	Location					Place of Russia
	Germany
	Slovakia
	Finland / Sweden
	Sweden / Finland
	Belarus
Total	12 tournaments					8 medals

Newspaper columnist "Sport-Express" Alexey Shevchenko convinced that the decision not to call Alexandra Ovechkina to the World Cup was correct, as the forward could destroy the prevailing microclimate.

“Before the third period of the match with Denmark, we were informed that Alexander Ovechkin would not come to Cologne. Whether he was injured or not, he made a completely correct and reasonable decision. He simply cannot help our team in such a shape and with such a game.

Because of him, it would be necessary not only to change one or two links, but in general to rebuild the entire composition. Where would Ovechkin be placed? Only in the third link to Evgeny Kuznetsov. But then the playing time of the first two triples would be reduced.

Kuznetsov will replace Vladimir Tkachev, who does not shine at his first world championship. If only the hockey player himself was not upset and continued to work further. Him in Korea to bear the main burden. Dmitry Orlov will noticeably strengthen the defense, although there are no complaints about it yet. It is also important that both Kuznetsov and Orlov will not destroy the team. A good microclimate is a plus for this team, "Shevchenko is convinced.

Due to health problems. But his partners in the “Capitals” - and - in the near future will join the national team. SE explains why the coaching staff made the right decision.

Mikhail ZISLIS

Don't wait for Ovechkin. His “Washington” once again flew out of the Stanley Cup, but for the first time in his career, Alexander will not come to the World Cup. The official reason is the injury, from which the hockey player had to spend the last matches against the “Pittsburgh” on injections. But even if Alexander the Great were completely healthy, his summons to Cologne would be a mockery of him and common sense... What happened tonight in the US capital was one of the main tragedies in the career of the Russian superforward.

In years past, when, despite Ovechkin's best efforts, the Capitals flew out of the playoffs, one could recall the old adage "there is always next time." Now the Russian has missed if not last chance win something on the level, then the penultimate one for sure. Even a mortal enemy would not wish to be in Ovechkin's place now. A new attempt to swing at the Stanley Cup has been poured into the sand. And who knows if this will be "the last time"? In the offseason, the current “Washington” for objective reasons - the ceiling of salaries, new contracts and draft expansion in favor - may turn into a team of a completely different, much lower level.

Age, apparently, also makes itself felt. It is getting harder and harder for Alexander to flutter on the ice as before and crush everything that moves, not forgetting to score goals in batches. You can't argue against physiology. You don't have to be a sage to understand what is happening in Ovechkin's soul. The words on duty in this situation about devastation and disappointment do not convey even a tenth of what he is feeling now. Will he help the national team in such a position? After all, in addition to the good physical form and desires need emotions. After a dramatic defeat, they left scorched earth.

Wednesday. Washington. “Washington” - “Pittsburgh” - 0: 2. Emotions of Alexander OVECHKIN. Photo AFP

Ovechkin always fell into the national team at the first call and in any condition, for example, with a crack in his leg, as was the case in 2013. - his coach, and he will not look similarly for reasons for refusal. Coaching staff national team made the best choice in this situation, he showed sympathy and did not finish off Ovechkin. I am sure that now such a decision will be accepted by the public with understanding one hundred percent.

If Ovi arrived in Cologne, all attention would be focused on the Washington striker - from the media to the fans. It is possible to try hastily to return the player to the comfort zone even in such conditions. But is it worth it? Last year served as an excellent example that a good idea is not always implemented in practice. Ovechkin tried very hard, but he was of little use in Moscow.

And the coaches of the national team would have to reformat the team from top to bottom. And this is at the moment when almost everything in it develops perfectly. As a result, both Ovechkin himself and the national team would suffer. The head coach of “Washington”, answering questions from journalists after the seventh game, asked to leave his leader alone. This specialist perfectly understands what is happening at the moment with his most star player.

Surely now it is not easy for Ovechkin's young partners in the club - and. But they are still young, they have to sign new contracts in the summer, and the future for them still seems quite cloudless. It should be much easier for them to restore emotions. In addition, unlike Ovechkin, they did not make mistakes in the playoffs, which can be called fatal. Moreover, Orlov and Kuznetsov were among the four or five best players"Washington" in the Stanley Cup.

And, no matter how seditious it may sound, both are now more needed for the national team than Ovechkin. The defense and the central axis still raise questions, so their invitation is justified from a sporting point of view. Whereas with the left edges - Ovechkin's position - everything is in order in the national team, even taking into account the injury.

I have no doubt that if Kuznetsov and Orlov have no health problems, they will go to Germany on the very first plane. As for Ovechkin, I recall the case of the famous American sniper... At one time, he also hammered a bunch of goals, but won his first Stanley Cup only at 34 years old. Alexander has two full seasons left before reaching this mark. Maybe we'll see one more "last time" performed by Ovechkin?