Day four at the World Junior Championships opened up between two European sided teams - Russia and Belarus. Clear favorite also took home the win with a final score 5:2 (2:0,1:0,2:2)
Andrei Grischenko vs Vladislav Sukhachyov both in starters nets to begin the game. Both highly relied upon despite weak goaltending start for both teams in previous games.
Klim Kostin was the man to open the shot clock with the first shot on goal at the two-minute mark. Belarus attempted to create their own chances but nothing came from it early on as Russia's defense forced opponents to the boards with no chances to put any danger towards their net. Russia kept pushing and managing their chances up until 2nd half of the 1st period when Alexei Polodyan shot a wrister towards completely shielded Grischenko to make it 1-0.
Russia makes it 1-0 after a wrister from Alexei Polodyan. Altybarmakyan with a nice shield in front of Belarus goalie. pic.twitter.com/QbflO35FTa
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017
Didn't take long as Russia quickly extended their lead by two goals following a setup from Blackhawks prospect Kayumov and a beautiful execution by German Rubtsov.
German Rubtsov with a beauty to put Russia up 2-0 pic.twitter.com/cHjON0mKqG
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017
With four minutes left in the 1st shot clock was frozen at 2 for Belarus not making their case any better when already being down by two. As the period winded down, Belorussians had their chance with a brief offensive pressure but that wasn't nearly enough so both teams headed to the room with Russia being up 2-0 and them also leading in shots on goal category 15-3.
Belarus came out flying for the 2nd period controlling the game for the most part at the beginning of the frame, looked good up until Klim Kostin showed up and put an end to it giving Russia a 3-0 lead after a nice set-up by Svechnikov.
#Blues Klim Kostin cashes in on a give-and-go to put Russia in front by three. pic.twitter.com/JP563dZTCF
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017
Belarus wasn't completely broken as they had picked up the pace and started creating their own chances once again, but Sukhachyov had been stellar in his crease to stop everything thrown his way. Quality of play allowed Belarus to earn first man advantage of the game. The penalty was handed out due to Russia having six guys on the ice. Chances were created but penalty killed as both teams kept battling at the mid-point of the game. Belarus also got caught not knowing how to count so it was Russia's turn at power-play but that wasn't successful either, even so Russia had no shots on it. Towards the end of the 2nd Russia had another penalty killed by Belarus as the playing field evened out more than before. Score still 3-0 after 40.
The third period began with Russia having a power-play and a chance to put an end to this game which was unsuccessful and straight after Belarus got their 1st of the game following an error by Russian goalie.
Belarus get one in after an error from Russian goalie. 3-1 lead for Russia. pic.twitter.com/yDofoWsxW6
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017
Russia seemed untouched by the recent ''struggle'' as they assured to extend their lead even further after a goal from Kayumov, making it 4-1.
Kayumov makes it 4-1 Russia. pic.twitter.com/VdmWBB2rAq
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017
Belarus powerplay came with over 14 minutes to play in the 3rd period but that also was no good. Russia's penalty kill kept being spectacular, and the offense followed right behind as Klim Kostin skated out of the corner to snipe it in and make it 5-1 for Russia.
Klim Kostin and it's 5-1. pic.twitter.com/sfCeqSIjoS
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017
Wasn't enough for goal galore as Sergei Pishuk got one for Belarus, to make it 5-2 although no chances to return to this game Belarus didn't give up. However that was enough for Russia to take the win.