World Challenge Cup. Russia U17 - Canada U17 - 0:1

The under 17 Russian national team played their final group stage match of the World Challenge Cup against Canada Red in Sault Ste. Marie.

Unfortunately, Russia couldn't finish the group campaign on a high. No goals were scored after 40 minutes, but early on in the third, while Russia were on a powerplay of their own, Canada's Shawn Element netted with a long range shot which turned out to be the game winner. 0:1, Russia finish in second place of their pool and wil face the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.

Igor Efimov, interim Russia under 17 head coach:

- A lot of things didn't go well for us today. Unfortunately, a lot of players are unwell, some even played with a high temperature today. It was our worst game at the tournament and we were lacking strength. We have a day to prepare for the quarter-final.

- How is Alexander Khovanov after he got injured?

- He took to the ice again in the third period. There was a dirty hit against him with the knee. We are counting on him for the rest of the competition.

- Canada played really rough against you in the second period.

- Yes, but we are more worried about our own performance. The refereeing was good, Canada were punished for their fouls. We played a five on three twice. We will train on the ice tomorrow ahead of the next game, we need to work on our special teams. We should play a lot better than today.

Maxim Shabanov, Russia U17 forward:

- In the first period, we needed to play a lot more physical. During the second, they began to pick up penalties and we should have taken advantage of our chances. We failed to take advantage of a five minutes powerplay. After playing Finland, we felt fresh, maybe we were lacking a bit of luck. We don't care who we will play against in the next round.

Match protocol:

Russia U17 - Canada Red - 0:1 (0:0, 0:0, 0:1)

Goals:

0:1 Element (Tarzwell), 44.17

Goalkeepers: Miftakhov - Mandolese

Penalty minutes: 8 - 37

01.11.2016. Canada.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation