Canada comes home empty-handed

"Russia and Canada have always been famous for the fact that for whatever medal they have fought, their match is always an event. What a gift to all the fans today.” said Russian Federation President Vladislav Tretiak introducing one of most classic game of the hockey and bitter rivalry, on the ice of Ufa Arena today, not at night as both team hoped, but in the afternoon for the bronze medal match. Teams cross the sticks again after the New Year’s Eve game in the preliminary round, when Canada disposed 4-1 of Russia. For strange it may sound, Canada and Russia never played for a bronze medal at this level and today the Varnakov’s Army has the opportunity, besides to close the home tournament with a medal, also to break a amazing Canada’s record: the Maple Leafs’ country has won a medal in each of the last 14 years at WJC. Canada – Russia is also the encounter between two future stars, the captains Nail Yakupov and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Yakupov was criticized by the Russian press after the defeat against Sweden, accused of lack of leadership, and defended by the coach Varnakov and his teammate at Neftekhimik Martin Cibak: “Yakupov is one of the best young players in the world, and, in addition, play at home is always hard. I think he needs to relax, lose the psychological load, and then he can show the kind of hockey that is expected of him."

Both coaches choose to allign the backup goalie – Andrei Makarov and Jordan Binnington – but the Owen Sound Attack number one seems not repays his coach’s trust: Russia has a very aggressive start and at the first chance opens the score: the shot by Alexander Khokhlachyov doesn’t seem irresistible but Binnington isn’t perfect in the intervention and the puck is in the net after 3 minutes. Pushed by a noisy crowd Russia doubles the score at 04:56 on power play: a very smart pass by Albert Yarullin finds captain Nail Yakupov alone in Canadian defense for an easy tap-in, this time without Binnington’s responsibilities. At 06:58 Canada knocks for the first time at Makarov’s gate finding an important goal to try to interrupt Russia’s pressure: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores on power play after his first tentative was rebounded by Makarov. 54 seconds later is Russia again: defender Kirill Dyakov has his first goal of the tournament ratifying the end of the game for Binnington, replaced by Malcolm Subban who is immediately stirred to action jumping on a Yaroslav Kosov finalization. After 10 minutes played at high speed finally period has some calm and a slight supremacy by Canada that finds the second goal on power play: the shot from Ryan Murphy hit the bar and Jonathan Huberdeau is the quickest to find the puck and pass Makarov. At 18:40 Stubbon extends the leg to rebound a Kucherov insidious cross shot to close a fun period where sometimes Canada seems to be overwhelmed but was able to hold onto game with the talent of his best players.

Canada begins the second period with gas and has the more clear chance with Mark Scheifele; his shot finds Makarov’s pad. The power play is again the best Canadian weapon today: at with Yaroslav Kosov out for tripping, Mark Scheifele is abandoned in front of Makarov when Nugent-Hopkins assisted him for an easy conclusion. But if power play works, is the concentration that misses today for the Canadian, one minute later Subban isn’t perfect on a Maxim Shalunov shot, giving the rebound for the first goal of Evgeny Mozer, the fourth for Russia. Canada’s goalie well answers on a Grigorenko dangerous shots at 30 and 41. At 37 Makarov shows great reflexes rebounding three consecutive conclusions from Ryan Strome, Scheifele and Harrington during a persist action by Canada that ends with another penalty – Yarullin for interference – and another power play brilliantly played by Canada: after a couple of chances with Strome and Huberdeau, is the defender Ryan Murphy to find the fourth goal for Canada with a powerful shot passing between Makarov’s legs. Canada uses the good momentum and is dangerous again with Scheifele but Makarov blocks. On the opposite front, Subban is reactive on a Yakupov finalization while Xavier Ouellet shot ends on Makarov’s pad.

One minute in the third period and Russia finds the advantage thanks to a smart pass by Kirill Kapustin to find the second goal by Nail Yakupov. But once again Varnakov squad makes the mistake of to leave Canada leading the game and after an amazing save by Makarov on Drouin, at 50:46 Brett Richie finalizes a messy action in front of the Russian cage. With 5 minutes to play Philip Danault is decisive diving to deflect a Zharkov sharp hit. Time is running and teams become more prudent. At 58 Canada has the biggest chance to close the game but the puck touched by Huberdeau dances on the goal line without to enter. Two saves by Makarov on Jenner and Rielly close the regular time.

During the short break Eurohockey.com captures exclusively a brief statement from Vladislav Tretiak: “Youth hockey is unpredictable, players are psychologically unstable, they do not know how to win and lose. Think a the World Championship in Buffalo, where we are losing 0-3 against Canada and won 5-3. Through these tournaments players can gain experience. Of course, there are errors, including tactical. Anything can happen, it's youth hockey”.

Overtime is very tense, when all expect a classy move by Yakupov or Nugent-Hopkins, it’s the third liner Valeri Nichushkin to put bronze medal on Russian necks: the Chelmet Chelyabinsk receives the puck from Vladimir Tkachyov, runs over Murphy – not perfectly positioned – enters in the goalie area and beats Subban for the delirium of Ufa Arena. Yakupov, nominated game MVP and celebrating wrapped in a Lokomotiv Yaroslavl flag, has probably his definitive consecration, Canada stays out from the podium from the first time in last 14 years despite a talented generation.
MVP: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Nail Yakupov

In the locker room all the Canadian players use sharp words: “It’s simply unacceptable – said forward Mark McNeill – we come back to Canada without a medal after 15 years, we feel ashamed.”

“It’s unbelievable not to win a medal, today we started very bad, then managed to come back but we can’t finish as we want” said Jonathan Hubardeau

Coach Stephen Spott admits the naught: “I personally feel disappointed, Canada has a program of Excellence in hockey and the goal is always to win the gold medal, today we missed even the bronze, even if for some details, so I personally I feel myself as a fourth-place coach, very ashamed. I don’t wanna to point finger on my players, they are teenagers and they do what the staff decided. We have seen Jordan (Binnington) on fire after the game against US so with my staff I decided to give him the chance to start, but after three goals in three minutes, we don’t have any other choice if not pull him”


Best players for each team:
Russia: Nikita Nersterov, Mikhail Grigorienko, Andrei Vasilevski
Canada: Scott Harrington , Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Scheifele

 

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