The first 14 minutes of the second period of the Russia-Czech Republic match was far more conservative than the first. Shots were 9 to 7 in favor of the Czechs. Penalties favored the Czechs, too.

Little urgency until the 14:34 when the Czechs, sitting back some in their zone, were victimized by Viktor Kozlov’s initiative. The former N.H.L. star combined with two of his K.H.L. compatriots. Kozlov rushed into the Czech zone from the left side with the puck, leaving it off for Sergei Fedorov, who ushered it to Kozlov’s Salayat Yulayev Ufa teammate Alexander Radulov. He had to fight to keep the puck before returning it to Kozlov whose strong move to the goal was too much for the lunging Tomas Vokoun.

It was savvy play from Kozlov to recognize the opening (the Czech defense was out of sorts) and classic play from Fedorov, reminiscent of his time with the Detroit Red Wings. Fedorov, credited with an assist, had two helpers against Latvia in Russia’s opening game. He played little in Game 2 against Slovakia and sat out practice on Friday with an undisclosed injury.

But there was no keeping the 40-year-old center out of this game.

“I think it’s the finals tomorrow,” he said on Saturday. “For us, I personally think it’s the final and we have to play that hockey that we have talked about before.”

Down a goal, the Czechs rediscovered their speed. Jaromir Jagr tried to assert himself, drawing jeers from the Russian fans each time he touched the puck.

Defenseman Tomas Kaberle of the Toronto Maple Leafs was active, and Patrick Elias, Tomas Plekanec and Martin Havlat pressed forward often, clocking the most ice time. They’ve been the most reliable players for the Czechs.

Two late power plays provided the Czechs with their best chances; they mustered 9 shots in the period. Only two or three truly tested Evgeni Nabokov. They’ll need more chances if they want to see the red light again. — Jeffrey Marcus

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