Thursday, November 18, 2010

Russia Storms Back to Beat WHL 7-6 in Shootout

Press Release

Kamloops, B.C. – Team Russia pulled off a 7-6 victory in a shootout over Team WHL after scoring three unanswered goals in the third period in Game 5 of the 2010 SUBWAY Super Series on Wednesday night before a sellout crowd of 5,456 fans in Kamloops, B.C.

The victory improves the Russians record to 3-1-1 versus the CHL through five games of the series.

Team WHL looked to have control of the game after taking a 6-3 lead in the third period on power play goals less than a minute apart from the Regina Pats’ Jordan Weal and Saskatoon Blades’ Curtis Hamilton. However, the Russians stormed back with three goals in a 1:42 span to tie the game at 6-6 and send it to the shootout.

Sergei Kalinin, the Russian side’s Player of the Game, scored just 38 seconds after Hamilton had made it 6-3. Maxim Kitsyn – on the power play – and Artem Voronin followed with goals 46 seconds apart to knot up the contest.

Brandon Herrod of the Prince Albert Raiders was named Team WHL’s Player of the Game, scoring the lone goal in the second period while making his presence felt throughout the game for the hosts.

Carter Ashton of the Pats, Quinton Howden of the Moose Jaw Warriors, Stefan Elliott of the Saskatoon Blades also scored for Team WHL, who finished 3-for-6 on the power play in the contest.

Daniil Sobchenko, Artemiy Panarin and Anton Burtasov scored for the Russians, who also went 3-for-6 on the power play. Burtasov also netted the shootout winner for Russia.

Emil Garipov turned aside 40 of 44 shots he faced through 56:24 of action and was beaten just once on four Team WHL shootout attempts to claim the victory after replacing starter Dmitry Shikin, who allowed two goals on three shots through the first 3:36 of the opening frame.

Kent Simpson made 27 saves in regulation for Team WHL, and was beaten on three of four Russian shootout attempts to take the loss.

Under the point system for the tournament, a regulation victory is worth 3 points, a shootout win is worth 2 points, and a shootout loss is worth 1 point. The Russians currently sit with 9 points through five games while the CHL has 6 points. A regulation victory for Team WHL in the series finale will create a 9 point tie, at which point a five player shoot-out will determine the 2010 SUBWAY Super Series winner.

The 2010 SUBWAY Super Series finale takes place Thursday night in Prince George and can be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet One at 7:00 pm Pacific as well as live on webcast at www.sportsnet.ca.

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

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