World Junior Championship. Russia U20 - Slovakia U20 - 2:0

The under 20 Russian national team completed their World Junior Championship group stage  campaign with a match against Slovakia. Head coach Valery Bragin kept goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov between the pipes, while both Artyom Volkov and Danil Yurtaykin were missing. This game was a playoff for third place in the group, with both Russia and Slovakia level on three points.

After winning just one of three matches at the competition so far, Russia came into this one under heavy pressure. Our players started well though, creating a few decent early chances. Kirill Kaprizov smacked the post when clean through, before then having a goal ruled out for high sticking. However, for all of Russia's huffing and puffing, the Slovakian defence were comfortably keeping our team on the outside. Russia's players were struggling to get clear looks at the Slovakian net, failing to put together flowing plays.

Russia's plight continued in the second stanza. Frustration was growing, but midway through the period, our players finally got on the board. On the powerplay, the puck rolled loose on a mad goalmouth scramble, enabling Denis Guryanov to sweep home his first of the competition. That goal knocked the Slovaks, who were lucky to see Mikhail Vorobyov's searing effort cannon back off the crossbar.

Nevertheless, Slovakia didn't want to throw the towel in. They had some excellent chances at the start of the third period too, forcing Ilya Samsonov into a couple of alert stops. Russia weren't going to be denied though, and with time running down, Yakov Trenin connected with a stunning Kirill Urakov pass for our second. That goal completed proceedings, Russia have got back to winning ways in Toronto with an important 2:0 triumph over Slovakia!

As a result of this victory, Russia will play Denmark in the quarter-finals. The match will take place on January 2nd. 

Match protocol:

Russia U20 - Slovakia U20 - 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Guryanov (Kvartalnov, Karnaukhov), 29.06

2:0 Trenin (Urakov, Belyaev), 49.39

Goalkeepers: Samsonov - Tomek

Shots on target: 30 - 15

Penalty minutes: 4 - 6

31.12.2016. Toronto, Canada.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation