2021 World Championship. Russia - Czech Republic - 4:3

In the opening match of the 2021 IIHF World Championship, the senior Russian national team edged the Czech Republic in an eventful encounter, earning an entertaining 4:3 victory.

The winning goal was tallied by Mikhail Grigorenko on the counter-attack with a mere 19 seconds remaining in the third period.

Initially, SKA forward Anton Burdasov gave Russia the lead in the first period on the powerplay, before the Czechs quickly managed to get back on level terms five minutes later as Jakub Flek hit the jackpot. Fellow SKA forward Artyom Shvets-Rogovoi - shorthanded - and Jakub Vrana then went on to trade excellent goals in quick succession in the second.

Former SKA forward Alexander Barabanov took advantage of a sloppy Czech turnover in the 46th minute to give our players another advantage. The opponents wouldn't give up, though, as they tallied a third equaliser in the 58th minute on the powerplay through Dominik Kubalik's deflected one-timer.

Overtime seemed to be looming, but Grigorenko had other ideas, as he went top-shelf on Simon Hrubec after the Czech Republic had carelessly lost possession.

Russia will next be in action in Group A tomorrow at 16:15 Moscow time against Great Britain.

Match protocol:

Russia - Czech Republic - 4:3 (1:1, 1:1, 2:1)

Goals:

1:0 Burdasov (Grigorenko, Morozov), 04.16
1:1 Flek (Spacek), 09.26
2:1 Shvets-Rogovoi (Kamenev), 35.27
2:2 Vrana (Kubalik, Haiek), 37.53
3:2 Barabanov (Voronkov), 45.28
3:3 Kubalik (Hronek, Kovar), 57.23
4:3 Grigorenko (Provorov), 59.41

Goalkeepers: Samonov - Hrubec

Shots on target: 28 - 25

Faceoffs: 30 - 26

Penalty minutes: 4 - 6

21.05.2021.