The semi-finals of the Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland will be held on Saturday. Hosts Finland have to deal with the USA, where there is a very interesting goalie duel. In addition, Canada meets the Czech Republic.
Finland – USA (Saturday, 13:20 CEST, in Helsinki)
In the semifinals between Finland and the United States, the two statistically best goalkeepers at the 2022 World Cup will meet: Jussi Olkinuora on the Suomi side against Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) between the posts of the US boys. Olkinuora has saved 121 shots in six games, has a 0.5 goals-against average, a 97.6 percent catch rate and a whopping four shutouts. Swayman made 94 saves in five games and has a 0.69 goals conceded/game, 96.9 percent save percentage and two shutouts. So it should be a top-class goalie duel.
A look at the penalty kill also shows that the Finns are difficult to crack, because the best manpower game at this World Cup did not have to concede a single goal. In addition, there is an effective power play with a 30.8 percent success rate. This should give Suomi an advantage on the special teams, although the USA with 22.2 percent powerplay and 86.2 percent penalty killing can’t show bad values either.
Top scorer in Finland is a defender in Mikko Lehtonen (2-7-9). In a storm, productivity is spread across multiple shoulders. were particularly noticeable Mikael Granlund (Nashville Predators, 3-5-8), Sakari Manninen (4-4-8) and Toni Rajala (4-2-6). Giant Marko Anttila (2.03 meters tall, 104 kilograms, 2-1-3) became the hero in the quarter-finals (4-2 against Slovakia).
The USA was successful with a sophisticated defensive system in the quarter-finals against Switzerland (3-0). The United States played very physically and managed to destroy their opponents’ pace, playfulness and goal threat. Like Finland, the US boys are not dependent on a single scorer, but produce collectively: Ben Meyers (4-2-6) and Adam Gaudette (Ottawa Senators, 4-2-6) lead the points standings. Following Kieffer Bellows (New York Islanders, 3-2-5), Alex Galchenyuk (Arizona Coyotes, 1-4-5) and Sean Farrell (1-4-5) in a tied third.
Both teams are considered awkward opponents, play excellent defense and have the best goalies in the tournament. Little things will make the difference. Olympic champion Finland, who won the preliminary round duel between the two opponents on May 16th 4:1, is a little favoured.
Canada – Czech Republic (Saturday, 17:20 CEST, in Helsinki)
Defending champions Canada compete with the Czech Republic. A game that promises many goals, after all, the best tournament offensive (Canada, 38 goals) and the best power play (Czech Republic, 38.1 percent) are facing each other.
The Canadians showed comeback qualities in a thrilling quarter-final against Sweden: Two minutes before the end of regular time, the Ahornblatte were still 1:3 behind, but then saved Pierre-Luc Dubois (Winnipeg Jets) and Matt Barzal (New York Islanders) the motherland of hockey with two late goals within 30 seconds but still in overtime, where Drake Batherson (Ottawa Senators) won the semi-final ticket. So Canada shouldn’t have a nervous problem in the semifinals.
In particular, Dubois (7-5-12) and Batherson (3-8-11) have stood out throughout the tournament. Also Dylan Cozens (Buffalo Sabers, 4-5-9) and Adam Lowry (Winnipeg Jets, 3-5-8) presented themselves strikingly. The offensive department also received support from two defenders of the New Jersey Devils: Ryan Graves and Damon Severson (is 2-5-7).
The Canadian number game is solid at 32 percent, while the number game at 79.4 percent still has room for improvement.
Incidentally, this is exactly where the strengths of the Czechs come in: 38.1 percent success rate in the power play is the best value at the 2022 World Cup. In the 4-1 win in the quarter-finals against Germany alone, the Czech Republic was perfect in the power play and scored three goals (3/3) . Penalty killing is also impressive at 82.6 percent.
On the defensive, the Czech Republic plays with a narrow block in front of their own goal, usually only allowing shots from outside and playing with them Karel Vejmelka (Arizona Coyotes, six games, 113 saves, 1.44 goals conceded/game, 93.4 percent save rate, one shutout) a previously outstanding goalkeeper between the posts.
At the same time, the Czechs have what is probably the most dangerous attacking line in this tournament: captain Roman Cervenka (4-10-14), center David Krejci (2-8-10) and wingers To David Pastr (Boston Bruins, 4-3-7) accumulated a whopping 31 (!) scorer points (10-21-31). Krejci and Pastrnak played together in Boston for years, so they still understand each other blindly. With Cervenka, the top scorer from the Swiss National League was added, resulting in a highly dangerous mix.
Canada is still the favourite, having once again improved during the course of the tournament.