U18: Yakupov scored a hat-trick and Russia beat Canada to win the bronze

24 Apr 2011 | David Schlegel - Photos by Dominika Handzusova

Team Russia won the bronze medal at the U18 World championship in Crimmitschau, Germany. In the game of two teams, which ended up without medals last year in Minsk, Canada looked better at the start, but Russia scored four times in the 2nd period and eventually won 6-4.

When Canada took a lead in the 24th minute in a two-man advantage, it looked like the game will copy the semifinals Sweden - Russia. Kucherov opened the score for Russia but then Canada outplayed its opponent and in spite of great saves from Vasilevski, turned a game over.

Russians looked desperate, but then the Canadian defense collapsed. Yakupov and Tkachev went all alone into a breakaway and Russians regained their lead. Then Kucherov went into another breakaway and scored while shorthanded to make it 5-2.

Slater Koekkoek shots right into goalie

Canada was totally out of concept, but just before the end of the 2nd period Murray cut the lead. "I am very disappointed. We played hard into the end, but the 2nd period totally killed us. We allowed shorthanded goals again. We wanted too much to score on the power-plays and so skilled teams like Russia took advantage of it and capitalized on that," said Canadian defenseman Ryan Murphy.

Russia controlled most of the 3rd period and played very well in defense. With 100 seconds to go Ritchie got Canada within one goal.
However, the scenario from yesterday`s game Canada - United States was not repeated. Yakupov completed a hattrick, scoring an empty netter.

Travis Ewanyk almost tied the game to 5:5

"We worked hard. We obviously wanted the gold, but we still had a strong motivation to win the medal. We played a smart game in the 3rd period, not rushing everywhere and we did not open the space for Canadians. That paid off," said Russian forward Nail Yakupov.

Nail Yakupov celebrates his goal to 2:2

In Minsk a year ago, Canada had to play the relegation round, this time they ended up 4th, again without a medal. "We have usually pretty strong team, but we have some good players back home playing in the play-offs who could help us out here. I am not making any excuses, we came here with a strong team and got beaten," explained Murray.

Bronze Medal Game:
Canada - Russia 4:6 (1:1, 2:4, 1:1)
Goals: 11. Murphy, 24. Quine, 38. Murray, 59. Ritchie - 28., 31., 60.
Yakupov, 12. and 36. Kucherov, 29. Tkachev.