World Junior Championship 2016. Russia - Slovakia - 2:1

The Russian junior national team’s final match of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship group stage took place today against Slovakia. Head coach Valery Bragin made one major change, with Alexander Georgiev taking over from Ilya Samsonov in net. SKA’s Egor Rykov and Alexander Dergachyov were included in the first and fourth lines respectively.

It was a slow start inside the Hartwall Arena, with both teams not playing at a particularly high tempo. Russia were predictably holding the initiative, and they got going by creating a few clear opportunities. Kirill Kaprizov had one of the best chances, but along on the doorstep he wristed inches over the crossbar. As the period wore on the Russians were gradually increasing the intensity, and fifteen minutes in the breakthrough was made. The puck bounced all around Slovakia’s crease, and Artur Lauta wristed into the left corner. Nevertheless that goal didn’t have the desired effect, and Russia took a number of penalties with the clock running down.

The second period kept on seeing Russia commit fouls, and goaltender Alexander Georgiev bailed out his teammates with some alert saves. When at full strength Russia were still bossing proceedings though, and after Kirill Kaprizov was denied clean through they made it two. Pavel Kraskovsky hit the right post from point blank range, the rebound came out to between the circles, and SKA defenceman Egor Rykov wristed clinically under the blocker. That made things more comfortably, but as the penalties kept on coming Slovakia got back into it. Directly off a faceoff draw Christian Jaros took aim, and his powerful wrister flew past an unsighted Alexander Georgiev. Russian defenceman Ivan Provorov had a great chance to reinstate the two goal lead, however shorthanded he smacked the crossbar.

The Russians finally managed to stop fouling in the third frame, and with that they were able to dominate in Slovakia’s zone. The opponents were being pinned inside their end for long periods, but luck was on their side. Alexander Polunin thrashed against the right post, Egor Rykov wristed off target when in a perfect position to the left, and Kirill Kaprizov’s stick snapped when he looked sure to score. As the finish crept upon us Slovakia took a crucial tripping call, and that allowed Russia to calmly see the game out with minimal fuss. 2:1, and Russia win Group B of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship with a perfect four wins out of four!

Match protocol:

Russia – Slovakia – 2:1 (1:0, 1:0, 0:0)

Goals:

1:0 Lauta (Mikulovich, Provorov), 15.29

2:0 Rykov, 29.12

2:1 Jaros (Sukel), 35.50

Goalkeepers: Georgiev – Huska

Shots on target: 27 - 21

Penalty minutes: 14 – 8

31.12.2015. Hartwall Arena, Helsinki, Finland.