Karjala Cup. Czech Republic - Russia - 0:3

The Russian national team finished off the Karjala Cup tournament in Helsinki, Finland, with a match against the Czech Republic. Head coach Oleg Znarok gave Ilya Sorokin his second start in net, with Traktor Chelyabinsk goaltender Vasily Demchenko backing him up. Dominik Furch was between the Czechs' pipes.

Having won both games before in the competition, the teams knew that the winner today would take the title. It was indeed the Czechs who had the better of the early stages, forcing Ilya Sorokin into some tricky saves at point blank range. Russia were waiting for counterattacks to make things happen, and it almost paid off - one on one, Vyacheslav Leschenko failed to hit the target.

In such a tight game, the first goal was always going to be crucial. Thankfully, Russia scored it - while killing a penalty, Stepan Sannikov peeled away, sent a pass across to Vladimir Tkachyov and the latter made no mistake. Full of confidence, our players made it two before the second period was out - with a man's advantage, Nikita Gusev slammed in on the left faceoff circle.

Forced into throwing bodies into attack, the Czech Republic contrived to concede a third during the final frame. Breaking down the left flank, Alexei Bereglazov hammered a cannon over the glove. That completed the scoring, and by taking a 3:0 victory against the Czech Republic, Russia have won the Karjala Cup!

Match protocol:

Czech Republic - Russia - 0:3 (0:0, 0:2, 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Tkachyov (Sannikov), 25.51

0:2 Gusev (Prokhorkin, Antipin), 37.03

0:3 Bereglazov (Gusev), 49.03

Goalkeepers: Furch - Sorokin

Shots on target: 32 - 26

Penalty minutes: 18 - 6

06.11.2016. Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation