Russia in WJC final

04 Jan 2011 | Fredrik Pålsson

After another thrilling and entertaining game at the World Juniors in Buffalo Russia reaches the final after winning the semi final versus Sweden after penalty shots.

After an even start to the game with some chances at both ends Tarasenko opened the score with a tricky shot from behind the goalline that hit Lehner's pad and found the net. A mistake by the Swedish goalkeeper. After the goal Sweden showed they wanted back into the game again and quickly created a great double chance but Shikin made a great save. For Russia it was all about Tarasenko, Kuznetsov and Kitsyn and Lehner was forced to some great saves when Russia had the only power play of the first period.

Russia doubled the lead seven minutes into the second period, Sweden was expecting an icing call and left Denis Golubev alone in front of net and he easily scored on Lehner who was waiting for the whistle. After the goal Sweden had problems with their game but managed to get back into the game at the end of the period. And with two minutes left of the second period Adam Larsson finally got Sweden on the board with a powerful slapshot on the power play.

Sweden started the first period by killing a power play and at 1:40 they got a four on two counter attack and Calle Järnkrok luckily managed to tie the game on volley despite a badly executed attack. After the goal both teams had some great chances to score but the longer the period went on it felt like Sweden was the team with most energy left. And after a stupied slashing penalty by Orlov Sweden got the chance and took it. Patrik Cehlin scored what many believed would be the game winner with just over three minutes left to play.

But the Russians still had some energy left and with only 1:27 Russia tied the game again when Sergei Kalinin found the puck in the chaos in front of goal and tipped it in. In the overtime Sweden had most of the momentum but the 10 minute period was scoreless and the game was decided in a penalty shootout.

Denis Golubev scored on the second Russian penalty shot and when Anton Lander hit the bar with Sweden's third shot Sweden's dream for a gold medal was killed while Russia's dreams are still alive,