2020 World Junior Championship. Final. Canada U20 - Russia U20 - 4:3

The under 20 Russian national team conceded a 3:4 defeat to Canada in the final of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ostrava, the Czech Republic.

After a goalless first period, the match burst into life in the second, as Nikita Alexandrov opened the scoring on the powerplay before Dylan Cozens promptly equalised on a 5 on 3. Neverthelss, the Russians soon took the lead again, as Grigory Denisenko forced the puck over the line at point blank range.

Maxim Sorkin increased the advantage to 3:1 midway through the third.

However, just as it seemed that gold was just around the corner, penalty trouble resulted allowed Canada to launch a dramatic comeback.

After Connor McMichael deflected the puck in moments after the third Russian goal, Barrett Hayton registered an equaliser on the powerplay, and Akil Thomas subsequently took advantage of a defensive error to carefully lift his effort over Amir Miftakhov to secure a thrilling 4:3 win for the Canadians.

Russia, as a result of this loss, travel home with silver.

Match protocol:

Canada U20 - Russia U20 - 4:3 (0:0, 1:2, 3:1)

Goals:

0:1 Alexandrov (Zamula, Denisenko), 29.37
1:1 Cozens (Veleno, Lafreniere), 31.01
1:2 Denisenko (Romanov, Sokolov), 34.46
1:3 Sorkin (Kruglov, Rtishchev), 48.46
2:3 McMichael (Addison, Byram), 49.20
3:3 Hayton (Addison, Lafreniere), 51.21
4:3 Thomas (McMichael, Addison), 56.02

Goalkeepers: Hofer - Miftakhov

Shots on target: 30 - 38

Faceoffs: 12 - 10

Penalty minutes: 2 - 6

05.01.2020.