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Russia Holds off North America and Prepares for Finland |
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Russia survived, barely.
The North American team is full of high end young talent and came out the gates flying with speed and a lot of it. Just over five minutes into the game McDavid sped down the ice, finding Matthews with a dandy feed for a tap in to start the scoring. It looked as if Russia was in for a tough battle competing against such elite talent.
The first period ended and both teams headed to their locker rooms for the flood. It must have been quite the talk in the Russian dressing room, maybe Ovi had a heart to heart telling his Russian brothers to elevate their game and focus on peppering the North American goalie with shots, and a lot of them.
After all, this was a do or die game for the Russian team.
As the second period commenced, Russia began to push, and hard. Spending time in the North American zone, it seemed as if Russia was destined to score eventually. Namestnikov buried a juicy rebound that Murray pushed out from a shot off of Ivan Telegin. Ovi then banged one off the post and just 50 seconds later Kucherov found the back of the net and quickly the score was 2-1 for mother Russia, the motherland is not weak!
The rally caps were on for the Russians and they continued to push forward as it seemed as if they had the youngsters on their heels. Kuznetsov decided it was time for an end to end rush and sifted through the traffic, beating Morgan Rielly and burning Murray with a close ranged finisher over the arm. Kuznetsov was possessed during this game, feisty, showing all sorts of character for the Russians. He had a big celebration on this goal, looking like a bird of some sorts flapping his arms and chirping the North American bench.
The second period wasn’t over yet for the Russians, they poured it on and Tarasenko fired one towards the net as Murray was screened heavily. That was it for Murray, he was yanked and the Russian team was up 4-1.
The second period is where the game was won by the Russians and lost by team North America. That one period break down really did cost the fan favorites the game, which would be the young guns of course.
Morgan Rielly and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both scored for North America in the third period, keeping the game ever so close. With a number of penalties towards the end of the third period, the game was open for a North American comeback. Fortunately for the Russian squad, Bobrovsky held the fort and made a number of game breaker saves as the game wound down.
Zaitsev saved the day as the power play was deep in the Russian’s zone and out of desperation he was able to break up the play and send the puck down the ice. It was a heavy scramble in front of the Russian net and McDavid, Matthews, Scheifele, Eichel and Gostisbehere were all digging deep to tie the game up.
Russia is in action today versus Finland in another do or die game (3PM EST).
If Russia gets two points they will advance to the next round, if they lose, they are out and North America will face Canada on Saturday night. If Russia wins, they will face Canada.
Majority of the hockey world, including legendary Lanny McDonald are hoping Russia loses to Finland so everyone can see the young guns at it again.
This could be quite a thriller!
Thanks for reading.
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