|
HALIFAX, Canada: Mikko Koivu scored the game winner in the third
period as Finland rallied with three late goals to beat the United
States 3-2 in the qualification round in the World Ice Hockey
Championships at the Metro Centre arena on Sunday.
With the win, Finland guarantees itself at least
second place in Group F heading into the quarterfinals, with a
chance to place first by beating Canada on Monday.
“There was some blood, some battles and our
guys were pissed off and I like that,” Finland coach Doug Shedden
said.
“We finally got a couple of bounces and
outshot them 45 to 22 and we were shorthanded for nine minutes in
the third period. Our guys stuck with it and played hard.”
In other games Sunday, Sweden defeated the
Czechs 5-3, Switzerland rolled over Denmark 7-2 and Latvia surprised
Norway 4-1.
The qualification round wraps up Monday with
five games. Canada will play Finland for first place in Group F and
Switzerland will face Russia for top spot in Group E.
Latvia battles Norway for the fourth and final
quarterfinal berth in Group F.
The top four teams from the two groups advance
to the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
-- AFP
|
