2011 WU Update – Day 11 – Ice Hockey: Men’s Medal Games

CAN vs. KAZ

ERZURUM – Today, February 6^th, the pinnacle of the ice hockey tournament of the 25^th Winter Universiade in Erzurum took place.

The men’s bronze medal game was played between Kazakhstan and Canada. Both teams entered the ice determined to take home the bronze medal. It was only at the end of the first period when the first goal was scored. With less than two minutes left in the period Langelier-Parent drilled in the puck past Kazakh goalie Zhitkov. Halfway the second Canada scored again. Farmanara put a two on the scoreboard. Lots of penalties resulting in trips to the penalty box marked this nailbiter of a game. Five minutes into the third period Sonnenburg scored Team Canada’s third goal on the powerplay. With less than ten minutes of regular playing time left, Kachulin scored on a breakaway, marking Kazakhstan’s first goal. With less than a minute left in the period, Team Canada receives a penalty and Kazakhstan pulled the goalie. Notwithstanding the six on four, Canadian goalie Grieco kept his cool and Canada pockets the bronze medal.

Golden Game

The ultimate game for the precious Universiade ice hockey gold was played between Russia and Belarus. Russia, which is often present on the hockey medal podium, won the silver in 2007 and the gold in 2009, so they wanted to prolong their Universiade title. Belarus on the other hand made a stellar appearance as it’s their first participation in the ice hockey tournament and they were directly aiming to take home the gold.

The tear and wear of the 11-day long ice hockey tournament of the WU has left its marks as both teams gave a tired impression. The game was less fierce than those of the semi-finals. Maybe because both medal contenders were ‘cousins’? Nevertheless, plenty of ‘almost’ goals where the posts were hit or when players missed the puck in the slot by just an inch.

Russian Golden Team

It was Russia who opened the score by Salnikov, hardly six minutes in the first period. Team Belarus tried to equalize but in vain. The second period remained scoreless. In the third period Belarus still tried to score but Russian goalie Garipov closed the gates. Russia wins the final 1-0 and is the consecutive Winter Universiade gold medallist.

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer

Bronze for Team Canada

You don’t win silver, you loos gold…