Slovakia 4 – Norway 3 : Match Report

Boston Bruins forward MIROSLAV SATAN (18) receives spoils from Slovakia teammates TOMAS KOPECKY and RICHARD ZEDNIK (left) after Satan's third period goal versus Norway in the qualification round of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Norwegian defenseman JONAS HOLOS observes. Slovakia narrowly defeated a stubborn Norway 4-3 to earn a place in the quarterfinals at the Vancouver Games. (Julie Jacobson/AP photo)

=======================================================

Another affair which might have appeared to be a mismatch produces another outstanding evening of late-night entertainment from the 2010 Winter Olympics, this the qualification round match featuring NORWAY and SLOVAKIA from Vancouver.

As one would have expected, Slovakia struck first seven minutes into the match. Parked in front on the power play, Los Angeles Kings center MICHAL HANDZUS hacked home the rebound of New York Rangers wing MARIAN GABORIK’s wrist shot from the right face-off circle for the always-important first goal of the game.

Norway defender OLE KRISTIAN TOLLEFSEN of the Detroit Red Wings had been assessed a five-minute major for checking to the head and neck area as well as the automatic game misconduct with accompanying ejection from the match for his shot on Slovakia’s LUBOS BARTECKO of Swedish club BK Farjestad Karlstad.

Less than three minutes later, still with the man-advantage, Slovakia doubled the margin when Gaborik re-directed the shot/pass of the Vancouver Canucks’ PAVOL DEMITRA past PAL GROTNES of IF Stjernen Fredrikstad in the Norwegian goal.

Norway were not prepared to just pack it in, nevertheless, despite being outshot by the Slovaks 21-2 for the first period.

With roughly two minutes to go in the opening session, Slovakia’s multi-millionaire MARIAN HOSSA of the Chicago Black Hawks raced down the left wing into the Norwegian zone but was dispossesed of the disc by defenseman JONAS HOLOS of Swedish club BK Farjestad Karlstad. Holos’ clearance was ultimately chased down by pint-sized MATS ZUCCARELLO AASEN of Swedish side Mo Do Ornskoldsvik just inside the Slovak blueline. Aasen attempted to center for the on-rushing PATRICK THORESEN of Russian club Salavat Yulayev Ufa, but this was blocked by Slovak rearguard MILAN JURCINA of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The biscuit bounced straight back to Aasen, however, and the 22-year-old wing promptly whipped a wrist shot past Slovak goaltender JAROSLAV HALAK of the Montreal Canadiens to give some spark to Norway.

Slovakia responded immediately with their third power play goal of the period forty-six seconds thereafter. RICHARD ZEDNIK of Russian club Torpedo Yaroslavl, again, unhindered in front of net, snapped the centering pass of Kazakh club Barys Astana’s Josef STUMPEL past Grotnes for another two-goal Slovak lead. 

Seven minutes into the second period, the Norwegians again whittled the lead to one. Hat trick hero TORE VIKINGSTAD of German club EC Hannover one-timed a smart pass from Thoresen behind Halak; Norway enjoyed their most productive period in the middle frame by firing off ten shots-on-goal.

Hard work and hustle, quite literally, would pay off in the end. Accepting a pass from Aasen along the right boards at the goal line, ANDERS BASTIANSEN of Swedish club BK Farjestad Karlstad circled around and from the face-off circle fired a wrister past the hapless Halak with exactly one second to go in the second period for a dramatic 3-3 equalizer.

An overwhelming 40-19 disparity in shots for the game would finally catch up with the Norwegians in the last twenty minutes; ironically, Norway outshot Slovakia seven to six in the third period.

Nearly nine minutes into the final frame, Slovakia’s MIROSLAV SATAN settled matters for good with his second goal in as many contests at the Vancouver Games. Edmonton Oilers defenseman LUBOMIR VISOVSKY, on the attack behind the Norwegian net, centered for Satan, who was out of contract all season until the Boston Bruins signed the 35-year-old experienced NHL veteran just after the New Year. 

Halak held the fort the rest of the way — and Slovakia survived.

———————————————————————————————————-

SLOVAKIA 4 – NORWAY 3

Shots-on-goal :  Slovakia 40 – Norway 19

SVK goals :  Handzus, Gaborik, Zednik, Satan

NOR goals :  Zuccarello Aasen, Vikingstad, Bastiansen

=====================================================

to be continued…