The Czech Republic repelled a late, desperate charge by defending champions Russia to win their first ice hockey World Championship title since 2005 thanks to a 2-1 victory on Sunday.
Jakub Klepis and Tomas Rolinek were both on target for the Czechs, while goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun produced 35 saves to help clinch a deserved victory.
“I can’t believe we did it,” Czech forward Lukas Kaspar said. “We played a great game today and it was a great win. We’re a great team.”
PHOTO: EPA
The Czechs, who won four of their five previous worlds finals, got off to a flying start, scoring just 20 seconds into the match through Klepis, who fired in off an unguarded post from veteran Jaromir Jagr’s cross.
Russia tried to pin the Czechs back, but their defense remained tight and with Vokoun untouchable in his net, they almost capitalized on a couple of chances before the end of the period under the watchful gaze of Czech President Vaclav Klaus.
Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk had the puck in the net for Russia just at the period-ending horn, but the match referee disallowed his goal after consultation with the video replay judge.
PHOTO: AFP
In the second period, the longstanding rivals, who played their first match at the worlds in 1954, continued trading threats and it was the Czechs who went in for the interval the happier after doubling their lead on 38 minutes, 13 seconds.
Russian star Alexander Ovechkin crashed into teammate Alexander Semin and when he bundled to the ice, Czech defender Karel Rachunek picked up the puck, skated into the Russian zone and slid it to Rolinek to send home.
The referee consulted with the video judge again to ascertain whether the puck had help from the Czech forward’s skate, however this time the goal was allowed.
In the third period, an ever-desperate Russia stepped up a gear, rushing the Czech’s net in waves, only for their rivals to soak up the threat and look for the counterattack.
After a rash of penalties for both sides and bad-tempered clashes, Datsyuk finally gave the Russians hope by netting a powerplay goal with just 36 seconds remaining, but by then it was too late.
“We’re obviously upset,” said Russian skipper Ilya Kovalchuk, who was the competition’s top points scorer with 12 from two goals and 10 assists. “We can’t accept any other place than first. We’re deeply disappointed.”
Earlier on Sunday, Sweden won the bronze medal, beating hosts Germany 3-1 in third-place play-off clash.
The Swedes got off to a lively start scoring through Magnus Paajarvi Svensson, who netted his fifth goal of the tournament, 2 minutes, 56 seconds into the match.
In the second period, Sweden still looked dominant, but it was the hosts forward Alexander Barta who pulled the scores level with 3 minutes, 57 seconds to go before the second break.
Jonas Andersson put the Swedes into the lead again 3 minutes, 57 seconds into the third period, beating Endras with a sharp-angled shot between the pads.
Germany, spurred on by a 15,900 home crowd, went on the attack to try to level, but Sweden were in complete control.
The hosts’ coach Uwe Krupp substituted Endras with the sixth field player with a minute remaining, but only to allow Andersson to score his sixth goal of the championships into the empty net, dashing Germany’s hopes of winning their first worlds’ medals since 1934.
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