World Cup. Russia - Finland - 3:0

The Russian national team played their decisive World Cup group stage match against Finland. An injury to Pavel Datsyuk forced head coach Oleg Znarok into ringing the changes, and he recalled SKA forward Vadim Shipachyov to the fourth line.

Needing the win to progress, the pressure took its toll on Russia during the opening stages and it was Finland making the early running. The Finns set a high tempo, pushing their bodies into Russian opponents all around the ice. Fortunately, we had Sergei Bobrovsky between the pipes. Sergei was called into regular action as Russia took two penalties in a row, and he dealt with the Finnish pressing admirably. At the other end, a Vladislav Namestnikov breakaway was the closest that Russia came.

An early second stanza powerplay gave Russia the chance to take the initiative, and the players did just that. Russia had taken their game on to another level, and we soon had the breakthrough that we craved – Vladimir Tarasenko slotted in following a stunning Alexander Ovechkin feed. That gave us confidence, and moments later, we potted the second – SKA's Vadim Shipachyov deftly picked out Ivan Telegin, the latter rounded the goalkeeper and expertly scored. The momentum was with Russia, however towards the period's closing stages, Finland slowly grew back into the game. The Finnish heat even forced Oleg Znarok into using his timeout, and Mikael Granlund was denied by a brilliant Sergei Bobrovsky save.

Leading by two, Russia had Finland exactly where they wanted them. As the Finns threw bodies forward, they left spaces open at the back, and we soon sealed the deal. Evgeny Malkin trundled down the left wing, took aim and caught Tuukka Rask cold. The Finns knew the game was up, and as time rolled on, they rarely troubled the superb Sergei Bobrovsky. Matters slowly petered out, and with a 3:0 beating of Finland, Russia have made it to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey semi-finals!

Match protocol:

Russia – Finland – 3:0 (0:0, 2:0, 1:0)

Goals:

1:0 Tarasenko (Ovechkin), 23.42

2:0 Telegin (Shipachyov), 25.01

3:0 Malkin (Emelin), 43.39

Goalkeepers: Bobrovsky – Rask

Shots on target: 22 - 21

Penalty minutes: 6 – 4

Hits: 25 – 22

22.09.2016. Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada.