World Cup. Canada - Russia

The Russian national team will play hosts Canada in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey semi-final.

It really is the match that everyone has been waiting for. The two true ice hockey superpowers will meet in Toronto, with both having impressed many in the group stages. Canada, as expected, steamrollered the Czech Republic 6:0, the USA 4:2 and Team Europe 4:1, while Russia recovered from a match day one loss to beat North America and Finland.

It's no secret that Canada were named as the tournament favourites before the competition and, they have so far been living up to their status. Forwards Jonathon Toews, Matt Duchene and Sidney Crosby are all tied on four points and goaltender Carey Price put on some solid performances during the group phase.

Nevertheless, Russia are full of hope coming into this one. Our team saw off Finland 3:0 on Thursday to clinch a semi-final berth, in turn knocking out the North American team on head to head record. The players have improved with every match and if Sergei Bobrovsky puts in another fantastic shift, Russia will have a real shot at making the final. His shutout against the Finns capped off a brilliant group stage campaign where he gained a 94.5% saves percentage.

In a pre-tournament match, Russia took Canada all the way to overtime before losing 2:3 in Pittsburgh. Alexander Ovechkin and Artemiy Panarin netted in that fixture. 

The Canada - Russia match will begin at 02:00 Moscow time in Toronto, Canada. Our official Twitter account will have a live broadcast.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation