Russia U20 turns Canada-Russia Challenge around

When the two junior national teams of Canada and Russia met for the first time in Halifax on Monday - the first two matches of the Challenge were played in Yaroslavl - it was an up and down for both sides. The guests had a great start with two fast goals within the first six minutes by Andrei Sigarev (after a pass from Sergei Tverdokhlebov) and Vladimir Tkachev (with assists by Daniil Romantsev and Bulatov Khammatov). Now the Russians took two penalties and with Alexei Vasilevski and Nikita Nesterov on the bench the Canadians used a 5 on 3 power play to cut the lead to the half - Ryan Murphy was the one to fire the puck into the net. The home side continued with its efforts and with 2:47 left in the first period Ryan Murray get the deserved equalizer. Still in the same minute a boarding penalty against Canada's Brendan Leipsic created the second power play opportunity for the Eastern Europeans so far and this one was used by Mikhail Naumenkov to get his colours back in front.

At the beginning of the middle period Russia received two fast penalties but the Canadians couldn't use it. With ten seconds of the penalty against Artyom Sergeyev left, it was Anton Zlobin who made it 4-2 after an excellent pass by Nail Yakupov. The Canadian reaction followed immediately as Sean Monahan needed only 63 seconds to cut the lead another time. Charles Hudon, in power play, tied the game around "half time".

In the third period the Russians again had the better start. A holding penalty against Boone Jenner led to a goal by Anton Slepyshev with 1:01 being played. Three minutes later Nikita Nesterov had to sit in the penalty box for tripping and Jonathan Huberdau punished this with the third power play goal of Canada on this day. When Andrei Sigarev brought Russia another time ahead with 6:23 left on the clock, Canada found no right reaction anymore.

After the game Canadian head coach Steve Spott analyzed the main reason for the loss for hockeycanada.ca: “We got a little bit unlucky at times. I think a few of those goals were tipped off Matt Dumba, but ultimately we gave up six goals here tonight.”

Russia now goes with a 2-1 lead into the fourth and final game of the Challenge which is played tonight at 19.00h local time in Halifax.

 

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