U18: The favorites fights hard for their wins

17 Apr 2011 | David Schlegel

Two very close games were seen at World Championship U18 in Dresden and Crimmitschau.

Both favorites eventually prevailed, but both games were very tight. Canada overcame a 2-3 deficit and came back to beat Finland 5-4. "We had a pressure almost for the whole game but we had few sleepy moments. We should have won this game. We came to Germany for the medal," said Olli Määttä of Finland.

Finland showed a very good attitude, they played very offensive minded and were a real threat for Canada. "For a 5-4 game it was an unbelievable goaltending from both sides. It was a very close game, either team could have won. We were fortunate, we need to work more on our defensive play," added Mike Williamson, head coach of team Canada. "Our goalie Subban did a good job when we were down 3-2, he kept us in the game," praised Ryan Murphy a goalie.

In the other game of the day Russia topped Germany 3-0 after the 1st period. Roman Konkov scored twice and Maxim Schalunov added a goal from a penalty shot. Then Germany incredibly equalized the score and were capable to answer another Russian goal within half of a minute.
"It was very hard for us to keep pace with the Russian players. They are unbelievably skilled. The audience in Crimmitschau was outstanding. We wanted to win, we are never happy with just one point, but this point may show eventually as a golden one in the end. Who knows," said Jim Setters, the German coach.

Russia eventually won in penalty shoot-out. The hero was the goalie Pavel Shegalo of Russia. "We started very well, but then the atmosphere got us. The fans in Crimmitschau are amazing. We came here to win six times, this can still happens," said Pavel Shegalo, the Russian goalie.

Group A
Germany - Russia 4:5 (0:3, 3:0, 1:1 - 0:0 - 0:1)
Goals: 30. Latta, 37. Ackermann, 38. Daxlberger, 50. Kretschmann - 7. and 10. Konkov, 13. Schalunov, 50. Saveljev, 66. Kucherov

Group B
Canada - Finland 4.5 (1:0, 1:2, 3:1:)
Goals. 4. Locke, 38. Murphy, 52. Scheifele, 51. Cousins 55. Smith - 24. Armia, 32. Määttä, 42. Armia, 59. Granlund.