Worlds are over for another year and Ilya Kovalchuk was the only King to take home a medal, with his shootout goal earning Russia bronze over the Czechs.
Ilya Kovalchuk🇷🇺 scores in the shootout!#RUSCZE #IIHFWorlds #LAKings pic.twitter.com/R3pL3FoEgB
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) May 26, 2019
While Captaining the Russian team Kovalchuck had two goals and three assists in 10 games and consistently came up big when it mattered. Worlds was definitely revealing of what he can do with ice time and a coach that trusts him.
Russia knocked the USA out of the tournament in the quarterfinals. Here’s a nice moment between Kovalchuck and Alec Martinez in the handshake line:
Russia advances to the semifinals after defeating USA 4-3.
Kovalchuk🇷🇺 -1, 13:11 TOI
Martinez🇺🇸 Even, 22:51 TOI #IIHFWorlds #RUSUSA #LAKings pic.twitter.com/2mAZZCg9nV
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) May 23, 2019
Martinez had four assists in eight games and was a -6. He consistently played as part of the top defense-pairing with Ryan Suter for six of those games.
(Given that Martinez has been on the trading block this year, that Detroit’s defense is at a transitional point, and that Team USA was coached by the Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill, one wonders if that may be where Martinez lands.)
He was named player of the game versus Germany on May 19.
Speaking of Players of the Game, Adrian Kempe was named one on May 20 versus Latvia.
Adrian Kempe🇸🇪 named Player of the Game for Team Sweden! Kempe with 1G, 1A, +2, 11:59 TOI in Sweden’s 5-4 win over Latvia. #IIHFWorlds #SWELAT #LAKings pic.twitter.com/pdzwnRyBIy
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) May 20, 2019
Sweden lost to Finland in overtime of the quarterfinal game. Over the course of the tournament Kempe scored three goals and three assists. He also answered a weirdly charming Q&A for the NHLPA.
And that was the 2019 IIHF World Hockey Championships! Join us next year in Switzerland for hockey and delicious chocolates.