| 22 February 2010
vs. 
Playoff Qualifier 4: Slovakia vs. Norway - February 23, 2010 9:00pm PST - Canada Hockey Place
The last game in the day of the playoff qualifications, Slovakia and Norway battle it out over a spot to advance to the quarterfinals. Whichever team wins this game will advance to play Sweden on Wednesday.The Slovaks have played well so far in the tournament, they initially lost to the Czech Republic in one of the best games of the tournament, then playing a back to back game the next night beating Russia in a shootout, followed by a thumping of Latvia on Saturday. They will have the momentum of the last two wins rolling in to tonight's game. Norway on the other hand have not one a game but have gotten a point when they forced Switzerland into overtime on Saturday.
Halak's stingy goaltending has been one of the reasons why Slovakia has been doing so well. Having the veteran Demitra and Stumpel on their team with Hossa and Gaborik have given the team the scoring that they've needed.
Norway, tied with Latvia in the number of goals allowed so far at 19, will have a tough battle tonight. They have not won a game in the last 28 games played since 1972. Their best player of last game, with the possible best name of the tournament, Tore Vikingstad netted a hattrick until their goaltender Pal Grotnes gave up a goal in overtime.
For either team, playing Sweden on Wednesday will be a tough game as Sweden along with USA were the only two teams to win all of their group games in regulation.
Vancity Canuck writes about the Vancouver Canucks at Benched Whale and the Tampa Bay Lightning at The Hockey Bay Blog in addition to her work on Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog.
Follow Vancity Canuck on Twitter 
Follow Bloguin's Olympic Hockey Blog Twitter
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
