Channel One Cup. Russia - Finland

The senior Russian national team will complete the 2016 Channel One Cup campaign with a match against arch rivals Finland.

Over the past few years, Finland have become Russia’s most dangerous opponents, constantly beating our team on the big stage. One of those defeats included a 2016 World Championship semi-final loss in Moscow. Nevertheless, our players are determined to turn the page, and they have already got the better of the Finns twice this season at the World Cup of Hockey (3:0) and the Karjala Cup (5:1).

Predictably, Finland’s roster is made up of KHL players. Their danger man at this competition has been Vityaz Podolsk forward Miro Aaltonen, who has scored three goals in two games. Clubmate Harri Sateri is expected to be their starting goaltender.

Finland won their first game against the Czech Republic 4:2, but lost to Sweden by the same score. Our team have had similar results, dropping a disappointing 1:3 reverse to Finland and seeing off the Czechs 5:1 on Friday. In the latter, goalkeeper Igor Shestyorkin stopped 26 of 27 shots.

Sweden have already won the Channel One Cup on head-to-head record, meaning that Russia and Finland will fight it out for second place.

The Russia – Finland match will begin at 17.00 local time inside the Moscow Ice Palace. Match TV will broadcast live, and you can follow events on our official Twitter account.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation