Russia outlasts Finland

Press Release

Host nation Russia took on Finland in the second game for both teams at the 2013 U18 World Championship. In what was expected to be a close game between the rival hockey nations, neither disappointed. 

 

Facing a hostile crowd and a 2-0 deficit in the third period, Finland managed to cut the lead to one with a power play goal from Jonatan Tanus, coming off a crisp cross-ice pass from Kasperi Kapanen.

But midway through the frame Russia started to make more rushes and pressure the Finns into committing turnovers in the neutral zone, limiting the chances for the equalizing goal to happen. With the Finnish goalie on the bench, Vladimir Tkachyoch scored the empty-net goal to seal the win.

Following a breathtaking but scoreless first period that saw Finland goaltender Juuse Saros stand on his head more than once to deny the Russian forwards, Russia finally broke through early on in the second. The goal came on the power play, with Ivan Barbashev scoring from the high slot with an assist from Vladimir Tkachyov and Nikolai Glukhov.

Russia looked to have another soon after, but the point blank shot from Rushan Rafikov ricocheted off the crossbar and stayed out.

But the goal put the momentum, and the crowd, squarely onto the Russian side, and it was Ivan Barbashev who brought the Bolshoy Arena spectators to its feet once more in the second period. After captain Valeri Nichushkin forced a giveaway from the Finns, Vladimir Tkachyov cut into the Finnish zone and dished it off to Barbashev alone at the side of the net for his second goal of the game.

Both teams will have a day off Sunday. Monday, Finland will next play against the Czech Republic, and Russia will face Latvia.

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