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Slovakia routs Bulgaria 82-0 in women's hockey Olympic qualifying

The Canadian Press

2008-09-09 15:40:00

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - With more goals than minutes in the game, Slovakia's women's ice hockey team claimed an amazing 82-0 victory over Bulgaria in Olympic qualifying.

Slovakia outshot the Bulgarians 139-0 during the 60-minute game, played in Latvia. The margin of victory is a record for a women's International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned event.

"We took it as training," Slovakia coach Miroslav Karafiat said after Saturday's game.

Janka Culikova led Slovakia with 10 goals, while Martina Velickova scored nine. Fourteen different players scored at least one goal.

Slovakia, which also beat Croatia, Latvia and Italy, advanced to another qualifying group with Germany, Kazakhstan and France. The winner will secure a spot at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Bulgaria was eliminated after scoring one goal and conceding 192 in the tournament.

The Slovakian men's team clinched its biggest ever victory against the Bulgarians 14 years ago when they won 20-0.

COMMENTS (19)

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David Cooper Posted
(2009-04-30 06:57:42)



British hockey has always had a kind of unwritten rule that teams wouldn't just run the score up when they were playing a significantly weaker opponent. That actually gave teams the opportunity to play some of their reserve and junior players in a game in order to get some experience rather than just keep pounding away with the top lines. I remember there being quite a fuss made when my local side beat a brand new team by 21 goals to 2 in a cup game.
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Slovak DUDE Posted
(2009-04-30 06:57:41)



Jarrett Marshall: Just you wait... Besides the point, the Slovak chick looks heck off a lot better then any other... And they can score hig!!! Can you keep up??? Boy do I love them!!! They will kick some fat booty I am telling you!
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James Posted
(2009-04-30 06:57:27)



Did the Bulgarians have anyone on the ice besides a goalie? She made 57 saves, by the way! Reminds me of the Monty Python skit with the soccer match against the Long John Silver impersonators... The fastest goal scored was 5 seconds. At that rate (12 goals per minute), over a 60 minute game, you'd have a final score of 720-0... so it's really not thaaatt bad.
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Jarrett Marshall Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:55)



Oh...wow...Even with what the coach said, no sportsmanship shown at all... You dont go into a game like that knowing your going to murder a team and just run the score up...Slovakia will get whats coming to them just like every other Olympics...Canada and the US beat the snot out of them...HAHAHAHA Slovak dude your funny..your women beat our women...goooodddd llluuuuuccckkkk.....
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Terry Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:52)



This story getting more coverage then the second oldest man to play the game, no matter love or hate, shows the ignorance of some hockey fans(?)
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T.Roy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:52)



At least Bulgaria had the heart and soul to go out and try. I'd like to see a team of you foolish talkers get together and play the Slovakian women.
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... Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:51)



Sure 82 goals is impressive, but deep down I think everyone wants Slovakia to get their ass kicked real bad after that one.
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Tom S. Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:51)



Craig - you should read the story more carefully. Slovakia thumped Bulgaria, not Latvia. It's unfortunate that there is no mercy rule in International Hockey, but it would show a lack of respect on the part of Slovakia had they stopped playing the way they are capable of. It will take a long time but Bulgaria will get better and in a few years may even be competitive. I have a lot of respect for the Bulgarians for even showing up at the rink knowing they would be cannon fodder. To Slovak DUDE - stop dreaming, the Canadian girls will walk all over the Slovaks.
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Dave LaFountain Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:51)



Everyone seems to be getting on the Slovaks for not showing compassion during the game, but the fact is this wasn't the only time the Bulgarians got beat down in the tournament. 41-0 getting 4 shots on goal. 30-1 getting 1 shot on goal. 39-0 getting 2 shots on goal. 82-0 getting 0 shots on goal. Bulgaria only got 7 shots on goal in 4 games.
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Craig Posted
(2009-04-30 06:56:50)



I sincerely hope Canada or the US embarass the Latvians the exact same way, these classless women and their arrogant coach deserve a solid shot of humility; and sent a clear message that they do not deserve even the slightest bit of respect. When they play a real oponent I hope they get torn to shreds. DISGRACEFUL.
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