World Cup 2022: Slovakia finds a quarter-final opponent
The Finns took over the B-group after the triumph over the Czechs.
The Slovak national hockey team will compete against the home Finns in the quarterfinals of the World Cup 2022. It was decided by the Tuesday (May 24) triumph “Suomi” over the Czech Republic 3: 0. Thanks to him, the home Severans took control of the B-group and will challenge the 4th team of the A-group, ie the Slovaks.
The exact schedule of the Thursday (May 26) quarterfinals will be determined by the tournament directorate on Tuesday night. The match Finland – Slovakia will have the opening bulls most likely at 19.20 in Tampere.
“Suomi” is an unpopular opponent for players from the Tatras. The last time they beat them was at the big tournament on April 28, 2004 – 18 years ago. At that time, they were defeated at the World Cup in a B-group match 5: 2. From the next 13 matches in the big tournaments came an uninterrupted series of Severans – 13 victories.
Although Slovakia last defeated Finland in 2017 at the Euro Hockey Challenge in Bratislava 3: 2, the so-called “Finnish complex”.
The Czechs did not even score a goal for the Finns
Until the opening goal of the match it was level hockey, the Finns were a bit more dangerous. When they took the lead, they completely dulled their opponent’s blade and the initiative brought them a two-goal estimate during the power play with the exclusion of Captain Červenka.
The Czechs left the passivity in the cabin and completely mastered the opening five minutes of the second act. The Finns came under pressure, but even with a bit of luck they kept the state, they gradually leveled the game and in the next minutes the game was played dynamically on both sides and it requires hockey.
However, they still could not find a recipe for the end and the Finns indicated it to them with the third goal after a great action in a half-empty goal. The third act, under the influence of development, offered only a finishing touch without significantly dramatic elements.
With the exception of exceptions in the final minute, prevent Anttil from scoring in an empty goal with a fantastic backhand.
Quarter-final pairs:
Finland – Slovakia
Sweden – Canada
Germany – Czech Republic
Switzerland – USA