Germans, Czechs improbably reach Olympic semifinals

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) — Canada and the Russians are in the semifinals as expected.

The other two finalists weren't expected to be here at all.

The Olympic men's hockey tournament final four has two surprise visitors: the Czech Republic, which is in its first semifinal since 2006, and Germany, which is in contention for its first medal since 1976 in Innsbruck — as West Germany before unification. The Czech Republic will play the favored Russians on Friday after knocking off the United States 3-2 in a shootout, while Germany will face Canada after upsetting top-seeded Sweden 4-3 in overtime.

Germany didn't even qualify for the Sochi Olympics, and now coach Marco Sturm's team gets a chance to face two-time defending-champion Canada, which lost starting goaltender Ben Scrivens to an upper-body injury and needed Kevin Poulin to make 15 saves to beat Finland. Poulin could be counted on for more against Germany.

"I was ready before coming in," said Poulin, a former New York Islanders goaltender thrust into the biggest role of his career. "It's not a surprise. It might be happening in many games. You've got to be ready mentally and you just have to stay in."


Source : Yahoo News