Finns take over lead in Helsinki group

One day after a more than surprising 1-2 loss against underdogs France - maybe one of the biggest sensations at this playing level in several years - the Russians tried to do everything better against tournament co-hosts Finland but had huge problems to convert their large number of opportunities into goals. The game started almost perfect for Finland when Petri Kontiola used a cross-pass at 03:22 to get the early lead with a one-timer into the right top corner! In the following time an even first period developed but the Russians had the slightly better opportunities, including hitting the goal post!

At the start of the middle period Aaltonen had the chance to double the lead for Finland but only hit the goal post. Two minutes later Antti Pihlström took a two minute penalty for tripping which was used by the Russians to get the equalizer with their first power play of the game. A bue line shot by the Russians hit one of their own forwards who waited just in front of Raanta. The rebound then was fired into the wide open net by Alexander Radulov at 23:37. Immidiately after this strike the Fins had angry attacks and were rewarded for their high pressure by restoring the lead again through Petri Kontiola who deflected a blue line shot by Sami Lepistö past Varlamov in the Russian net at 27:21. After a perfect cross-pass by Janne Pesonen towards the left circle Juhamatti Aaltonen scored from there in power play with a one-timer into the left corner with four minutes left in the period to give the Fins a two-goal lead for the first time in the game! Both sides had one big opportunity each before the second intermission but failed to convert them into goals.

In the last 20 minutes it was a match into one direction. The Russians tried everything to have a successful comeback but only were able to score when Varlamov was already on the bench for an additional attacker. At 58:12 a shot by Ilya Nikulin was blocked by Raanta but Alexei Tereshchenko received the rebound, gave a pass to the left and Ilya Kovalchuk ended the play with the 2-3! With 34 seconds left on the clock the Russians took a timeout but it was too late for them to force overtime. In a very emotional match the frustration by the Russians ended with Ilya Kovalchuk getting a match penalty with two seconds left after he hit Pesonen with his stick, tried to headbutt him and punched him into the face. Surprisingly Peosnen himself also received a match penalty. There were a lot more slashes in the last minutes that stayed unpunished by the referees who were not always consequent enough for such an important game.

Alexander Radulov (1 goal) and Petri Kontiola (2 goals) were chosen as the players of the match.   
 
The FIns now are first in the Helsinki group with 11 points while the Russians are second with 9 points. 

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