World Junior Championship. USA U20 - Russia U20 - 4:3 SO

The under 20 Russian national team competed in the 2017 World Junior Championship semi-finals against the USA. Head coach Valery Bragin kept Ilya Samsonov in net, while Danil Yurtaykin returned to the team. Fellow forward German Rubtsov was out injured. 

As expected, it was the USA who made the faster start. Taking the initiative, the Americans took charge in Russia's zone, forcing Ilya Samsonov into a few smart early saves. Relying on counterattacks to do damage, Russia's players managed to catch their American opponents out on the break. Kirill Kaprizov hung behind the net, swung sharply to the crease and tucked his wraparound into the left corner. Out of nothing, Russia had the Americans right where they wanted them. The USA were finding it tough to find clear shooting lanes in our zone, but, with the period drawing to a close, they got back on level terms in strange circumstances - Colin White tried his luck from a seemingly impossible angle, catching Ilya Samsonov unawares glove side.

Nevertheless, Russia were soon to regain their lead in the second stanza. Vadim Kudako's huge slap shot was pushed out on to the doorstep, where Denis Guryanov was waiting to pounce - 2:1. Once again, the Russians had the wind up their tails, pressuring the Americans. The USA came back with a sucker punch though, responding with two disappointing goals. Luke Kunin tapped home with a man's advantage, and then Colin White's deflected wrister snuck under Ilya Samsonov's right arm.

Up against it, Russia gave up a penalty shot at the start of the third. However, that proved to be the game's turning point. After Ilya Samsonov stopped Clayton Keller's attempt with a beautiful flash of leather, Denis Guryanov strode clean through and tied the match up - 3:3. The game was on a knife's edge, with both sides slowly retreating towards their own goals as time rolled on.

Overtime couldn't be avoided. To the surprise of many, Russia took the game by the scruff of its neck. Our players should really have finished the match, but Kirill Kaprizov and Alexander Polunin both missed two guilt edged opportunities. Ilya Samsonov pulled off some stunning saves too, especially a double point blank range stop towards the end of the extra frame.

Sadly, in an marathon shootout, Russian goals from Denis Guryanov and Mikhail Vorobyov were rendered invalid by some Troy Terry heroics. 3:4, Russia will play for bronze tomorrow.

Match protocol:

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

Goals:

0:1 Kaprizov (Vorobyov), 11.54

1:1 White (Keller, Jones), 19.05

1:2 Guryanov (Kudako, Karnaukhov), 21.17

2:2 Kunin (Greenway, Bracco), 30.23

3:2 White (Anderson, Keller), 36.21

3:3 Guryanov, 46.04

4:3 Terry, 70.00

Goalkeepers: Parsons - Samsonov

Shots on target: 44 - 36

Penalty minutes: 2 - 8

04.01.2016. Toronto, Canada.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation