Moscow – Russia led the entire way, and Sweden came from behind to secure spots in the semifinals of the hockey world championship on Wednesday.
Evgeni Malkin scored two goals to help Russia beat the Czech Republic 4-0, and Tony Martensson scored three goals in defending champion Sweden’s 7-4 victory over Slovakia.
Russia, undefeated in seven games and bidding for its first title since 1993, will play the United States or Finland on Saturday. Sweden will face Canada or Switzerland. Those semifinal games are scheduled for today.
“It’s just an unbelievable atmosphere right now. We win the game and everyone supports us,” Russia forward Alexander Ovechkin said. “We feel good and we can’t wait for the next game.”
New Jersey Devils right wing Sergei Brylin joined Russia hours before the game, and the national team is also reportedly trying to convince San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov and New York Rangers defenseman Fedor Tyutin to join the team for the semifinals.
The Czechs, who won four of the past eight titles, had reached the final at the past two championships, winning gold in 2005.
But Andrei Markov gave Russia the lead for good in the first period when he gathered a backhand pass from Alexander Frolov and wristed it over goalie Roman Cechmanek’s right shoulder on a power play.
Alexander Eremenko made 27 saves to earn the shutout.
“I think they’re the best team here,” Czech Republic forward Tomas Plekanec said. “We were there for the first two periods but the second goal in the third period was huge for them and then we just didn’t play.”
Sweden, meanwhile, rallied from a 2-1 first-period deficit with three goals in the second.
“It was tough for us because they came out well and we had to struggle to get back in the game,” Sweden defender Magnus Johansson said. “The equalizer in the second period was a big thing because we began to control the game.”
