2019 World Junior Championship. Russia - USA - 1:2

In the semi-finals of the 2019 World Junior Championship, the under 20 Russian national team came up short, losing 1:2 to the USA.

During the opening stages, Russia attacked with intensity, but after Nikita Shashkov's goal was ruled out for a kicking motion at point blank range, the Americans opened the scoring with Oliver Wahlstrom completing a flow play.

Unfortunately, the USA doubled their money early in the second stanza, as Alexander Chemelevski went five hole on Pyotr Kochetkov on the powerplay. Nevertheless, with the period entering its latter stages, Grigory Denisenko beat the opposing goalkeeper glove side to bring the Russians back to within one.

In the third period, Klim Kostin had a shot miraculously cleared off the line, but the second goal never came and Russia lose 1:2 to the USA in heartbreaking fashion.

Our team will play either Finland or Switzerland for the bronze medal on Saturday.

Match protocol:

Russia - USA - 1:2 (0:1, 1:1, 0:0)

Goals:

0:1 Wahlstrom (Cockerill, Samberg), 14.29
0:2 Chemelevski (Hughes, Anderson), 24.20
1:2 Denisenko, 33.36

Goalkeepers: Kochetkov - Primeau

Shots on target: 35 - 27

Faceoffs: 28 - 31

Penalty minutes: 6 - 6

04.01.2019.