WC-2015. USA - Russia - 0:4

Russia took part in the 2015 IIHF World Championship semifinals today against the USA in Prague, the Czech capital. With the arrival of NHL Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin head coach Oleg Znarok made some line shuffling, as Alexander took his place in the first with Viktor Tikhonov and Sergey Plotnikov. Vadim Shipachyov’s line was demoted to the fourth, and Sergei Bobrovsky kept his place in net. Connor Hellebuyck was his opposite number for America.

There were barely any stoppages during the opening stages, as Russia set a furious pace. Yevgeni Dadonov wristed into the glove from the doorstep, and Alexander Ovechkin made his presence felt with a couple of powerful hits. The best chance fell to the USA however, as Jimmy Vesey all alone on the crease was shut down by a sharp Sergei Bobrovsky. Jimmiy Vesey proved to be one of the most dangerous players of the period, and he came close to scoring again. The puck rolled all the way across the crease, and it was poked inches wide of the right post. The Americans kept on coming with their players beginning to dictate the game, and Sergei Bobrovsky had to be alert on several occasions. Russia finished the period on top though, and Yevgeni Malkin’s juicy rebound was knocked past the goal with the goaltender struggling.

Only two words were mentioned during the second frame – Sergei Bobrovsky. Bob was simply sterling in the Russian net, and the Americans are still wondering how they didn’t score. Their pressure was incessant, and Sergei made a few world class stops. The best came midway through, as he somehow got an outstretched left toe on to an effort from absolutely point blank range. The USA were setting the pace as they wanted it, and Jack Eichel could only wrist directly into the netminder’s midriff when by the right post. Nevertheless Russia still managed to create something, and in a crazy few minutes they wasted a number of golden openings. Yevgeni Dadonov hacked well wide when by himself almost on the goal line, and Ilya Kovalchuk failed to outgun the goalkeeper when skating down with danger.

It was seriously on a knife’s edge going on into the third, and any goal was going to prove crucial. Early on Sergei Bobrovsky had yet another massive save to make, as he got his pads on Steve Moses’ one timer. Russia were struggling to get anything going in the attacking zone, however they were the ones to make that crucial breakthrough. Sergey Mozyakin coasted past the blue line, wound up, and beautifully wristed high into the right corner. That gave the team some well needed confidence, and just three minutes later the insurance goal came. Alexander Ovechkin robbed an American defenceman of the puck, bore down, and beat Connor Hellebuyck five hole. Not a lot was left in the American tank now, and a golden Vadim Shipachyov marker after an American slip up by the left post sealed their fate. Despite that scoreline the USA opted to pull their goalkeeper for the extra skater, and one minute left Yevgeni Malkin smashed into the empty net after a neat combination with Alexander Ovechkin. 4:0, and Russia move into the 2015 IIHF World Championship final to play Canada tomorrow!

Match protocol:

USA – Russia – 0:4 (0:0, 0:0, 0:4)

Goals:

0:1 Mozyakin (Bobrovsky), 47.17

0:2 Ovechkin, 50.19

0:3 Shipachyov (Kulyomin, Malkin), 55.28

0:4 Malkin (Ovechkin), 58.35

Goalkeepers: Hellebuyck – Bobrovsky

Shots on target: 35 – 30

Penalty minutes: 6 – 4

Referees: Wherli, Ronn

16.05.2015. O2 Arena, Prague, the Czech Republic.