Photo credit: Reuters

Mikael Granlund’s eye-popping goal was all Finland needed to best Russia for the second time this week, but the Finns still plied on while Russia’s offense looked lifeless. The 3-0 loss for Russia ends their chance at gold — they will face the Czech Republic for bronze Sunday at 10:00 AM Eastern Time — while Finland will move onto the championship game against Sweden.

Alex Ovechkin was more of a factor Friday than any other game in the tournament, though unluckily for him, in a negative way. The Great Eight was called for two slashing penalties after poking Finnish goalie Petri Vehanen on multiple occasions, while failing to convert on great chances to score. He finished the game a minus-one while registering five shots on goal and 18:31 of ice time. In five games since joining the team, Ovi has neither scored a goal or tallied an assist. Ouch.

Via Alex Ovetjkin, here’s the disappointed man himself after the game:

“We did not seize the moments that we created, and the first goal by Finns… I think it is one of the best ever goals that could happen in hockey. They had skill and luck, it was all in one pile for them. We had no luck on our side. The scoring chances were good, but we couldn’t put the puck in the net. We have a game ahead for the third place. It doesn’t matter who is the opponent. If Czechs then it’s Czechs. We just have to go out and win at least some kind of medal.”

Additional Photos and Video

Goal of the century millennium.

Before the game, IIHF President Rene Fasel presents Vladimir Putin with a jersey after Russia was named the host nation of the 2016 Worlds. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Putin signs autographs for Team Russia’s fans. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Team Finland celebrates Granlund’s goal. (Photo credit: Matthew Manor)

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Getty Images

Photo credit: Reuters

Photo credit: Reuters

Photo credit: Reuters

Ovechkin and Team Russia react after the loss. (Photo credit: Reuters)

With a thrilling third period comeback against Canada, Team Russia and Alex Ovechkin are off to the semi-finals of the World Championships in Slovakia. Down, 1-0, midway through the final frame, Alexei Kaigorodov converted on a shorthanded breakaway to knot the score. Then, just over three minutes later, the Devils’ 100 million dollar man Ilya Kovalchuk rifled home a one-timer from the slot to give the Russians the lead and send their arch-rival home empty handed. Russia will face Finland, with the winner going to the gold metal game, on Sunday.

Despite the victory, Alex Ovechkin was held off the board for the third straight contest. He was, however, robbed of an assist when play was whistled dead after Canada’s Marc Methot went down after being hit by the puck, which was corralled by Russia with a wide-open Canadian net. Ovi also managed one shot on goal in 18:52 of time on ice.

Additional Photos & Video

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Jason Spezza scored Canada’s only goal. (Photo credit: Matthew Manor)

Methot reacts after getting hit with an Alex Ovechkin shot. (Photo credit: Matthew Manor)

Photo credit: Petr Josek

Photo credit: Grigory Dukor

Photo credit: Grigory Dukor

Video: Alexei Kaigorodov’s unbelievable shorthanded goal (via @R17a)

Team Russia celebrates Kaigordov’s goal. (Photo credit: Petr Josek)

Jeff Skinner and Ovechkin tumble to the ice after Skinner trips-up Ovi. (Photo credit: Grigory Dukor)

Kovalchuk puts Russia ahead. (Photo credit: Petr Josek)

Photo credit: Grigory Dukor

Photo credit: Grigory Dukor

Ovi to soccer ball: “I must stop you.” (All photos taken by Pavel Lysenkov of Sovietsky Sport)

Ahead of its quarter-final matchup Thursday with Canada, Team Russia assistant coach Igor Zakharkin ordered his players to abandon the team’s scheduled morning practice and instead play soccer at Rapid Stadium in Bratislava. Much like former Capitals head coach Ron Wilson, who would arrange team-building bowling outings when the Caps were struggling, Zakharkin is looking to take pressure off of his team.

Russia, who has lost two straight games and is 3-3 overall in the tournament, has not gelled at any point during their time in Slovakia and has played in five straight one-goal games. The dominant team that had won 27 straight World Championship games last year has not appeared. If they lose against Canada, Russia will be eliminated.

Zakharkin spoke with Sovietsky Sport’s Dmitri Ponomarenko and Vitaly Slavin about his decision to avoid the rink today and also discussed the shirtless soccer goalie above, Alex Ovechkin. Fedor Fedin has your translation.

Question – You’re going to play soccer…

Zakharkin – It’s not like we just go play soccer. We’re not a soccer team. We need the ball to generate team interaction and improve speed and force. On the field we form the team we want to see on the ice. Aggressive, fast, winning the battles, making quick decisions!

Question – What is missing from our leaders? Is it self-confidence?

Zakharkin – It’s not about confidence. Opponent doesn’t outplay us [big, big sigh], doesn’t move the play into our zone. Does our team look embarrassed recently? No! But we have to admit, we have problems with finishing offensively. Who are the best scorers in our team? Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Radulov — they don’t play their game. They try not to offend each other and avoid comments about being selfish.

Question – Speaking of Ovechkin…

Zakharkin – Alex, in the games against the Czechs and Finns, was two different players. He progresses fast. In these two days off, Ovechkin will acclimate completely. In the game against Canada, he’ll show his best. We’ll ask for more aggressiveness out of him. Both with and without the puck. Because it’s what he’s good at. And, of course, finishing shots.

Additional Photos

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

After being mostly a non-factor in Team Russia’s loss Sunday, Alex Ovechkin was back in action Monday afternoon against Finland as he looked to regain his form. Ovi was certainly more noticeable against the Finns, registering an impressive nine shots on goal in 18:29 of ice time while failing to convert on a breakaway. Despite his efforts, Russia was defeated for the second day in a row, this time narrowly, 3-2, in the shootout. With Canada beating Sweden, 3-2, later in the day, a sure to be intense match-up of arch-rivals is set for the quarter-finals on Thursday between Russian and the Great White North.

Below, friend of the blog Aleksey Imaev translates the Great Eight’s video interview on Saturday with Russian website Sportbox.ru (Igor was unavailable and is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury). The clip was only viewable in Russia until RMNB’s Fedor Fedin stepped in, so props to him.

Alex Ovechkin — It’s middle of the night now in Washington. Therefore we must endure. The practice went well, so we will be getting ready.

Sportbox.ru — Did you know beforehand that you will be playing in the position (role, line) you played today with the white (team in practice)?

A.O. — Well, I was told about the opponent. I immediately had a meeting with the coaching staff after I came here, so they knew who I’m going to play.

Sportbox.ru — Your placement alongside with (Maxim) Afinogenov is interesting. Both of you are very fast forwards. Have you played with him on a team? If so, what was the experience, can you recall please?

A.O. — Well, I played for Dynamo with him when we won the Russian Championship. We played in the same line. And a couple of times our paths crossed when we played for the national team.

Sportbox.ru — Overall, they are good memories?

A.O. — Yes.

Sportbox.ru — The stitches are removed. I just want again to ask you again about the broken nose. Did you choose the color of the thread (of the stitches)?

A.O. — [smiles] No, it was an accident, selected randomly.

Sportbox.ru — Got lucky?

A.O. — Yes.

Sportbox.ru — Sasha, the thing that your teammates drew on the scheme — what did they draw?

A.O. — Well, (Alexey) Morozov, (Denis) Zaripov and (Ilya) Nikulin were out there because they had already played together in Kazan. So they told me where I need to be.

Sportbox.ru — Where?

A.O. — On the ice. [smiles]

Sportbox.ru — Understandable.

A.O. — Well, you’ll see, it’s too early to reveals the secrets.

Sportbox.ru — Sasha, did you have any difficulties with the paperwork? How fast it was resolved by the Federation? I mean, visas, insurance and so on.

A.O. — Well, I received the visa in 15 minutes. As for insurance, I have a person who deals with these matters and he did.

Sportbox.ru — As far as I understand you had a team meeting in Washington. Were there any problems? Did they just say can play on the [national] team?

A.O. — No problems at all. They asked me if I wanted to play. I said yes and they followed through with no problems.

Sportbox.ru — Did (the Capitals) wish you luck?

A.O. — Of course.

Sportbox.ru — How was the quality of the ice on the training rink?

A.O. — It is hard to say, because I haven’t been sleeping (due to jet lag). We will see tomorrow.

Sportbox.ru — Your teammates complained about it. Did they tell you?

A.O. — No, we haven’t talked about it yet.

Sportbox.ru — Sasha, you must already have an experience with crossing the time zones. What do you think you should do now to adjust to European time as quickly as possible?

A.O. — Well, I need to try not to fall asleep. Maybe will go for a walk somewhere, I don’t know. There is nothing to do in the hotel room now. So if I go there, there is a 100% chance that I will fall asleep. What to do at night? Walk around. It is better to endure being up until 10 or 11 PM and then go to bed.

Sportbox.ru — Did they tell you that you need to walk with caution, because there is such a press here. Maybe it’s not the press, maybe it’s television, something like that.

A.O. — Well, we already have an experience in communicating with these people. Well — they are normal people. I can go somewhere to sit down and eat.

Video of Ovechkin’s breakaway and photos from the game:

Thanks to Alex Ovetjkin for bringing the video to our attention.

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Photo credit: Matthew Manor

Alex Ovechkin: still visibly shaken after the Capitals’ stunning playoff defeat (photo via Sashastolemyheart on Tumblr).

After arriving in Bratislava, Slovakia just hours earlier, Alex Ovechkin took to the ice for his first practice with Team Russia on Saturday. Despite the Capitals’ crushing and humiliating elimination from the playoffs less no more than three days old, he was all smiles on the ice. Though Ovechkin played through numerous injuries this season, Capitals General Manager George McPhee told reporters at Kettler Capitals Iceplex Thursday he had no problems with the Great Eight suiting up for his motherland at the Worlds rather than taking the time to rest up.

“He’s healthy now and he wants to play and I’ve never had a problem with players going to the World Championships if they want to play,” McPhee said. “If they buy in 100% and are there because they want to play, not because they feel obligated because their country is asking them to play. They’ve got to want to play and he wants to play so we’re fine with it.”

Though having just one practice with his new mates, Ovi was in Russia’s lineup against the Czech Republic Sunday. The Ruskies were defeated, 3-2, by their Czech friends while Ovechkin played 14:49 of ice time, registered two shots on goal and was a minus-one. Russia now stands at 3-2 for the tournament and will face Finland Monday at 10:15 AM Eastern Time. They can finish second in their Qualifying Round Group with a win and a Germany loss to the Czech Republic later in the day.

Below, check out some shots of Ovechkin in action during the game and at practice with Team Russia.

Practice Photos

Photo credit: Reuters

Photo credit: Reuters

Photo credit: Reuters; following photos via Sashastolemyheart

Game Photos

Photo credit: Matthew Manor; following photos courtesy Alexander Safonov and Championat.ru

Following photos courtesy Elena Rusko and Sportbox.ru

Photo credit: Championat.ru

After getting the green light from the Capitals organization on breakdown day, Alex Ovechkin left the United States Friday for the 2011 IIHF World Championships in Slovakia. Ovechkin, who had to endure an eight hour flight from DC to Vienna, was then driven by IIHF representatives to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, just in time for a noon practice at Orange Stadium. He had almost no break.

Before departing from Kettler Capitals Iceplex Thursday, Ovi told Katie Carrera:

“I talked to President [Vladislav] Tretiak and they asked me if I go and I said, ‘Yes, I go,’” Ovechkin said on the day of the Capitals’ exit interviews. “I don’t want to go there, but I will. Because I want to play in playoffs, win Stanley Cup, but the situation is the situation and I’m going to play for my country and try to win gold.”

Ovechkin will immediately have the chance to avenge the Czechs in the quarterfinals Sunday at 4:15pm (10:15 AM eastern time), the same team that beat Russia in the championship game last year and ended their 27-game winning streak in the tournament. He will reportedly be the only Capital player on Team Russia’s roster this year and will play on a line with Maxim Afinogenov and Konstantin Gorovikov, a center for SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL.

Team Russia could certainly use his help. After a devastating loss to Germany in the opening game, Russia, despite its poor play, managed to win three straight games against Slovenia, Slovakia and Denmark. All three games were tense, one-goal affairs and the Russian press and its fans are waiting for a more serious opponent to see if the team can step up its game accordingly. Meanwhile, Russian coaches Slava Bykov and Igor Zakharkin are under fire for their coaching decisions (such as goalie choice) and statements in the press.

Below, check out a few more photos of Ovi arriving in Europe at the airport in Vienna, Austria, courtesy of Championat.ru.

Additional Photos

Additional reporting by Fedor Fedin.