VIENNA, 14 May 2005 — Russian teenager Alexander Ovechkin was not born when the Soviet Union took on Canada in the 1972 Summit Series, a cold war duel that captivated the hockey world and launched the most bitter rivalry on international ice. He knows how much it means to beat the Canadians, however, and will get his chance today in the semifinals of the world hockey championship.
In the second semifinal, Sweden will look to reach their third consecutive final when they take on the Czech Republic.
The 19-year-old Ovechkin has been one of the young guns to lead unbeaten Russia along with Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk in a lineup that has led the country to the brink of winning their first gold since 1993.
“They’re always the team to beat,” the NHL’s 2004 top draft pick said of the twice defending champions after Russia edged Finland 4-3 in a penalty shootout to advance from the quarterfinals. Canada, though, have other plans and are looking to make history.
A third consecutive title would give the hockey-crazed nation their 24th overall gold, tying them with the former Soviet Union?Russia for the most world championship banners. The Canadians have had an inconsistent tournament, but on Thursday showed their talent and determination, coming back three times from a one-goal deficit to beat Slovakia 5-4.
