Wednesday, January 4, 2012

DIKUSHIN SCORES TYING GOAL AND WINNER TO SEND RUSSIA TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Press Release

WINDSOR, Ont. – Grigori Dikushin tied the game with 4:15 to go in the third period and scored the winner 8:27 into overtime as Russia advanced to the gold medal game for the first time since 2000 with a 4-3 semifinal win over Ontario on Tuesday night.

The victory moves Russia into Wednesday’s final against the United States (7 p.m. ET) at the WFCU Centre – the first U17 gold medal game not to feature a Canadian team since the Soviet Union, led by Pavel Bure and Slava Kozlov, beat Mats Sundin and Sweden 4-3 in the 1988 final.

Ivan Barbashev and Sergei Tolchinski also scored for Russia, which beat Ontario for the first time in five tries, dating back to its 2-0 gold medal game victory at the 2000 tournament in Timmins, Ont. Barbashev was the only Russian to record multiple points, finishing with a goal and assist.

Stephen Nosad (Tottenham, Ont./Peterborough, OHL), Aaron Ekblad (Belle River, Ont./Barrie, OHL) and Hunter Garlent (Thorold, Ont./Guelph, OHL) had the goals for Ontario, which will not play for the gold medal for the first time since 2006, when it finished fifth in Regina, Sask. Garlent had a goal and two assists, while goaltender Spencer Martin (Oakville, Ont./Mississauga St. Michael’s, OHL) made 36 saves, albeit in a losing cause.

Ontario will face Sweden for the bronze medal on Wednesday afternoon in Windsor (2 p.m. ET) in a rematch of a preliminary round game won 7-2 by the Canadians.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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