[Jesse834]

vs 1:00 PM MT SNET

Sweden faced a strong test by the upstart Germans on Wednesday and skated away with a 2-0 win. Belarus didn't fare so well against Finland in its opener of pool play, losing 5-1 to a Finnish team that may have more firepower than we initially thought. Based on his calm yet revealing demeanor during his postgame news conference, it was clear that Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson wants more from his team. He wants better tempo and shorter shifts and thinks that will translate to more goals.
It'll also be interesting again to watch Peter Forsberg. The former NHL superstar said his chronically injured foot felt good after Wednesday's win. Also, will Gustafsson keep Johan Franzen on the fourth line with Sammy Pahlsson and Fredrik Modin?
As for the Belarusians, they are clearly overmatched in this one -- just as they were against the Finns. But they were also trailing just 2-1 late in the second period in that one and were on a power play. So you know their will is there to hang tough.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090010

vs 5:30 PM MT SNET

This could be the ultimate trap game for the Czech Republic, as it is wedged between two traditional rivalry games - Wednesday's opener against Slovakia and Sunday's Group B heavyweight match vs. Russia. It could, that is, if the Czechs had come out roaring in their opener and were feeling overconfident. But beating Slovakia 3-1 was as much of an escape as a triumph, as the Czechs were outshot badly and outplayed for lengthy stretches.
The Czechs need to win Group B to avoid playing an extra game in the medal round - something that would be no favor to 38-year-old Jaromir Jagr. To do so, they need their game honed in time for meeting the Russians. It didn't look honed vs. the Slovaks.
If nothing else, the party will be on in the stands. The Czech and Latvian fans are among the most joyous here -- and while the mood of the Czech fans depends upon the performance of their team, the Latvian fans are here as much for the party as the games.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090011

vs 9:55 PM MT CTV

If you like tense, low-scoring, hard-hitting hockey, this might be the best game of the preliminary round. Both teams pride themselves on playing hard in all three zones and punishing forwards in the attacking zone. Plus, each has a world-class goalie. Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff, if he plays again for Finland, allowed just one goal on Wednesday against Belarus. Germany's Thomas Greiss, of the San Jose Sharks, was brilliant Wednesday against Sweden, allowing just two goals against the defending Olympic champions. After struggling to solve Belarus at even strength for more than a period, Finland used some of its younger players to blow the game open in the final 40 minutes. Germany had no such luck and has to find some offense if they hope to pull off the upset that is their goal for this tournament.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/preview.htm?id=2009090012