Phantom goal helps Finland overcome US

HALIFAX, Canada: Finland rallied to a 3-2 win over the US with the help of a phantom goal at the World Championships on Sunday to set up a showdown with Canada.

The Finland-US clash highlighted a wild day of action at the tournament with all four games having quarterfinal implications.

Switzerland pounded Denmark 7-2 to clinch a spot in the final eight, Latvia tamed Norway 4-1 to keep alive its hopes of advancing and Olympic champion Sweden ended the Czech Republic's hopes of first place in Group E with a 5-3 win.

The Finns and Americans provided most of the fireworks during an ill-tempered contest that included a controversial goal, three suspensions, 202 minutes in penalties, a game-ending brawl and an official tossed out of the tournament.

Most importantly for Finland, however, the game ended in a victory and set up a Monday meeting with defending champion Canada to decide top spot in Group F.

Olli Jokinen and Anssi Salmela will miss the qualification round finale after receiving one-game suspensions along with American David Backes.

Trailing 2-0, Finland's third-period comeback was sparked by a power-play goal from defenseman Ville Koistinen that appeared to enter through the side of the net.

The goal was reviewed by a video judge but was allowed to stand despite clearly showing the puck crashing through the mesh.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) later acknowledged that Koistinen's shot had entered through the side of the net and said on its website (www.iihf.com) that the video-goal judge would not work for the rest of the tournament.

"It was confusing to us but we deserved our fate, we didn't deserve to win that hockey game," said US coach John Tortorella. "But what to hell were they looking at?"

Until the phantom goal, the US had looked in control, taking a 2-0 second-period lead on goals from Tom Gilbert and Phil Kessel.

Teemu Selanne tied the game midway through the third, redirecting a pinpoint pass from Saku Koivu past Robert Esche and Mikko Koivu collected the winner with just over three minutes to play.

The final few minutes degenerated into a series of skirmishes and punishing hits leading to several fights as the buzzer sounded.

"I think you could see, we do not shy away," said Finland captain Ville Peltonen. "It was good, the first real test for us in this tournament and we were able to get the win."

In Quebec City, Switzerland stormed to a 6-0 lead and cruised to an easy win over the Danes to lock up a quarter-final berth.

The victory improved the Swiss record to 3-1 in Group E, moving them into a tie for second with the Czechs and Sweden.

The Swiss will face off against Russia on Monday to decide top spot in the group.

Agencies

(China Daily 05/13/2008 page24)