Canadian Juniors win Canada-Russia Challenge in OT

Before the match itself a ceremonial faceoff was held in the Halifax Metro Centre with players of the original 1972 Summit Series. For Russia Yuri Lyapkin, Alexander Yakushev and Vladislav Tretiak travelled to Halifax while Ken Dryden, Don Awrey and Pat Stapleton were there for Canada.

It was a lot of hard work for them but in the end the U20 of Canada won this year's Challenge against Russia. After two consecutive Russian wins they knew that they had to win in game 4 to make it to the overtime and keep their chances for a win alive.

The guests had the better start in Halifax and opened the score through Andrei Sigarev with 14:23 played in the first period. Just a minute later Lucas Lessio already scored the equalizer for very motivated Canadians. A stupid penalty early in the second for too many players on the ice by the Canadians led to a power play that was used by Albert Yarullin with a one-timer to get his colours back in front. Now the Russians also took two penalties within few minutes and twice it was Ty Rattie to turn the match around for the hosts. In an even third period it was Jonathan Huberdeau who added another power play goal for the Canadian win in regulation (4-2). The penalty itself was caused by Albert Yarullin who received 10 minutes for checking to the head. With the series being tied with 2 wins on each side a 20 minute ovetime had to bring the winner. There it was Ryan Strome who won the series for Canada with a wrist shot at 3:20 being played.

After the game the Canadian hero of the day said about his goal to hockeycanada.ca: “I like that pull-and-drag shot, I've scored a few like that before. I saw a little bit of the mesh and put it on net and, luckily, it went in.” About the meaning of the series he said: “I think it was big for us. We had a bitter taste in our mouth from the world juniors last year.” There the Canadians lost 5-6 in the semifinals to Russia.

The results of the series:

09.08.2012 (Yaroslavl): Russia - Canada 2:3
10.08.2012 (Yaroslavl): Russia - Canada 6:3
13.08.2012 (Halifax): Canada - Russia 5:6
14.08.2012 (Halifax): Canada - Russia 4:2 / 1:0 in OT

 

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