Switzerland U18 - Russia U18 - 1:2 OT

In America, the under 18 Russian national team played their second match of the World Championship against Switzerland. One major change was made by head coach Sergei Golubovich, with Danil Tarasov replacing Mikhail Zhukov in net.

Our players were pumped up for this game, and they began on the front foot. Switzerland’s defence looked a bit shaky, and we had a number of huge amount of opportunities by their net. At times the puck refused to go in, and the Swiss were lucky to get to the break level.

The Russian pressure continued in the second, and eventually we made it count. Yaroslav Alexeev pulled out to the left wing, beat his opponents for pace, and let an irresistible wrister go into the far corner. That was a goal to behold, and we had chances for a second – Alexei Libanov couldn’t stuff the puck in from point blank range, and shorthanded Mikhail Bitsadze fired wide of an empty net. The Swiss came close on one occasion – on a frantic goalmouth scramble, one of their forwards was denied by the woodwork.

In the third period, our thoughts turned more to defence, and the Swiss were handed the initiative. Danil Tarasov was having more work to do, and with ten minutes to go, Switzerland grabbed their equaliser. Nico Hischier skated on to the right faceoff circle, took aim, and caught the netminder out blocker side. The Swiss now had the momentum, but it was Russia who had the best openings during the final minutes. Klim Kostin whacked off target from an ideal position, and a few strong slap shots were gathered by the Swiss goaltender.

Proceedings continued into overtime, and it was Russia who ended up taking the extra point. Danil Tarasov made a huge glove save to keep the Swiss out, and in the following counterattack Pavel Dyomin netted when clean through. 2:1 today, and our next game will take place on Monday against Latvia.

Match protocol:

Switzerland – Russia – 1:2 OT (0:0, 0:1, 1:0 – 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Y. Alexeev (Kostin, Zaitsev), 33.21

1:1 Hischier (Miranda), 49.07

1:2 Dyomin (A. Alexeev), 61.58

Goalkeepers: Ritz – Tarasov

Shots on target: 22 – 28

Penalty minutes: 8 – 4

16.04.2016. Grand Forks, USA.

Russian line-up:

Tarasov

Sergachyov, Zaitsev – Lipanov, I. Kozlov, Chekhovich;

Rubinchik, Baranov – Bitsadze, Y. Alexeev, Kostin;

A. Alexeev, Samorukov – Dyomin, Maximov, Kuznetsov;

M. Kozlov, Osin – Lobanov, Svechnikov, Marushev.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation