Russia Hands Canada East Their First WJAC Loss

A 5-1 victory for Russia over Canada East means neither team from the host country managed to pull off a victory to kick off the 2017 World Junior A Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Two late goals in the first period would give Russia the early 2-0 lead heading into the intermission. At 16:00, Alexander Romanov (not the Russian prince) got his team on the board with a hard shot, with the defenceman finding a way to beat Jett Alexander to make it 1-0.

Three minutes later on the power play, the Russians scored again. This time, Grigory Denisenko skidded around defenceman Aidan Girduckis and made a quick backhand move on Alexander to give the visitors the 2-0 advantage.

Romanov would grab a second goal 2:29 into the second. This time, the power play marker capped off a tremendous passing play between Romanov, Grigory Denisenko and Vladislav Kotkov, with Romanov scoring on the final pass to make it 3-0.

Russia would continue to control the game, with Ivan Morozov scoring late in the second. But Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nick Campoli, the only NHL prospect on Canada, finished off a play started by projected first-round draft pick Jack McBain, giving Canada some life. It wouldn't matter in the end, though, as Morozov scored an empty netter late in the third to help secure the 5-1 victory for Russia.

The Russians will finish off the round robin with a 3:30 PM AST contest against Switzerland on Tuesday, while Canada will meet with the Swiss tomorrow at 7:30 PM.

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