2021 World Junior Championship. Russia U20 - USA U20 - 5:3

In the first match of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, the under 20 Russian national team produced a strong performance against the USA, claiming a 5:3 victory.

Vasily Ponomaryov opened the scoring in the first period, before Cameron York quickly equalised. Nevertheless, Russia pulled away in the second, with Zakhar Bardakov, Ponomaryov - again - and Ilya Safonov all hitting the target.

In the ensuing third period, the Americans got back to within one as John Farinacci and Trevor Zegras tallied markers, however Yegor Chinakhov sealed the deal with a late empty-netter.

Yaroslav Askarov made 23 saves in the Russian net.

Russia will now prepare to face the Czech Republic at 05:30 Moscow time on December 28.

Match protocol:

Russia U20 - USA U20 - 5:3 (1:1, 3:0, 1:2)

Goals:

1:0 Ponomaryov (Knyazev, Kirsanov), 08.07
1:1 York (Caufield, Boldy), 14.01
2:1 Bardakov (Groshev), 23.01
3:1 Ponomaryov, 31.08
4:1 Safonov, 32.15
4:2 Farinacci (Helleson, Brink), 49.57
4:3 Zegras (York), 57.42
5:3 Chinakhov (Amirov, Khusnutdinov), 59.39

Goalkeepers: Askarov - Knight/Wolf

Shots on target: 24 - 26

Penalty minutes: 8 - 2

25.12.2020.