RUSSIA DOWNS TEAM WHL IN SUPER SERIES

Press Release

Victoria, BC – Russia claimed victory in the 2012 SUBWAY Super Series with a 5-2 victory over Team WHL in the final game of the series on Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd at Save-on-Foods Arena in Victoria, B.C.

The victory in Victoria gives Russia a 10-8 edge in points through the six-game series.  Through the CHL and Russia split the six games with three wins apiece, Russia gets the edge thanks to Wednesday night’s shootout loss to Team WHL in Vancouver.  It’s the second series victory for the Russians in the 10-year history of the event.

Mikhail Naumenkov opened the scoring for Russia, fooling Team WHL netminder Laurent Brossoit of the Edmonton Oil Kings with a one-timer from the point 7:06 into the opening period.  Andrei Sigarev put Russia up by two with just 10 seconds to play in the period.

Ty Rattie of the Portland Winterhawks got Team WHL on the board 8:03 into the second period, but Russia responded just 28 second later with Kirill Dyakov restoring the two-goal lead.

Russia added to their lead with Alexander Khokhlachev beating Tri-City Americans goaltender Eric Comrie, who had come into the game midway through the second period.

Adam Lowry would get Team WHL within two, netting a power play marker early in the third period.  But, that’s as close as the WHL would get as Russia added a late empty-net marker to seal the Game 6 win and the series victory.

Goaltender Andrey Makarov of the Saskatoon Blades went the distance for the Russians, stopping 22 of 24 shots to claim the victory one night after turning in a strong performance in the 1-0 shootout loss in Vancouver.

Brossoit, who earned the shutout in Wednesday’s game, stopped 10 of 13 shots through the first half of the game, taking the loss for Team WHL.  Comrie turned aside 17 of 18 shots he faced in relief.
Khokhlachev finished with a goal and an assist to earn Player of the Game for Russia.  Rattie, who also had a goal and an assist, earned the honor for Team WHL.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)