World Championship. Russia U18 - Slovakia U18 - 3:2 OT

In Poprad, the under 18 Russian national team took on hosts Slovakia in the World Championship quarter-final. Head coach Sergei Golubovich didn't make any serious changes to the line-up for the first knockout game, keeping Maxim Zhukov in net. Alexei Lipanov, Andrei Svechnikov and Ivan Chekhovich formed the first line strike force.

Following a positive start, Russia made the breakthrough with Ivan Chekhovich finding the net. However, despite being on top for long periods, our players conceded two in a nightmare second frame. Adam Ruzicka and Milos Farfrak netted for the Slovaks, giving them a 2:1 lead before the third stanza.

Nevertheless, Russia forced overtime when Ivan Chekhovich scored his second on the powerplay. Both teams had chances in the extra frame, but after surviving a few scares, our team snatched the victory with one minute to go! Kirill Slepets was the hero, cutting to the slot and firing beyond the helpless goalkeeper. 3:2, Russia U18 move into the semi-finals where they will play Finland!

Match protocol:

Russia U18 - Slovakia U18 - 3:2 OT (1:0, 0:2, 1:0, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Chekhovich (Svechnikov), 05.36

1:1 Ruzicka (Liska, Balaz), 30.35

1:2 Fafrak (Liska), 34.02

2:2 Chekhovich (Svechnikov, Samorukov), 41.14

3:2 Slepets (Koltygin, Samorukov), 68.42

Goalkeepers: Zhukov - Sklenar

Shots on target: 42 - 41 

Penalty minutes: 6 - 2 

20.04.2017. Slovakia.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation