Radulov solves the Norwegian puzzle

“Looks like we have a better chance to win first prize in the lottery” said yesterday Lillehammer sports director Tor Nilsen about this game. Game against Russia is a difficult if not an impossible mountain to climb for Norway, even more without the best player, Mats Zuccarello, not dressed due a wrist injury after the last game against Austria. Yesterday, after last training session, Norwegian coach Roy Johansen said “We have everybody ready for tomorrow." And about Zuccarello (missing the training) “He has some small problems so he felt he needed rest”, but team doctor today not allow him to play while gives green light to Mathis Olimb and Henrik Odegaard, also in doubt for minor ailments. Russia has all the roster available, including bruised Ilya Kovalchuk, so coach Bilyaletdinov chooses to align for the first time Viktor Tikhonov, instead of Ilya Nikulin and mixes again the lines, with Alexander Popov – and not Alexander Syomin as in last game -  with Ovechkin and Malkin. Sergei Bobrovski is back in the net

The begin of the game puts all pressure on Norway, Russia wants to close the question without risks and Ovechkin, from him the first dangerous shot, still looking for the first goal in the competition, is one of most aggressive. But in the first 10 minutes Russia seems a barking dog, with one clear chance with Popov and despite Norway just tries to keep the puck far from Haugen goal. Thoresen has a chance, with good save by Bobrovski, during a power play, while Russia continues its fruitless siege and its horrible percentage on power play, closing scoreless the first period. Second period and same storyboard until 24 minutes when finally Russia has a differential from his stars, an artful by Alexander Radulov passing behind the cage and beating Haugen sending delirious the Bolshoy Arena. Same Radulov has another two great chances in front of Haugen but the goalie and the defense manage to stave off the threat.

Alexander Radulov, the key figure of the match

From the goal on out finally Russia plays better and chances rains with the brave Norwegian trying to stem the attacking waves lead by an unstoppable Radulov. The end of the period seems more balanced and Norway may appear on attack with two chances for Olimb, both controlled by Bobrovski, until Radulov again shifts the balance, his shot hits the post and Ilya Kovalchuk can rebounds in the net.

Celebrating Ilya Kovalchuk second goal

Vladimir Tarasenko wastes a great chance at the begin of third period shooting on Haugen, imitated by Anisimov some minutes after. Around minute 50 Norway has its best momentum with chances for Skroder and Olimb, forcing Bobrovski to make difficult saves. Same Olimb loose a puck sending Ovechkin towards Haugen but a defender manages to deflect the puck putting off again the first awaited goal by Russian superstar. Norway boldly pulls off the goalie for the last two minutes and suffered third goal by Radulov empty-net, Haugen is back and before the end Russia scores fourth with Alexei Tereshenko finding the net with a shot under the bar. All according to plan, Russia will face Finland in quarter finals but also against Norway home team shows there are yet a lot of problem  - power play firstly – to solve. Norway comes home after a dull tournament – 0-4 record - ends as expected in front of a stronger opponent

A tired Alexander Ovechkin: "We knew the opponent was going to play hard in the defensive zone. In the first period we had some good chances, and played well. In the second, we had that big goal. I thought our work ethic was always pretty good."

Scorer Ilya Kovalchuk: “I think we didn’t give them much and that was a good sign. We have less than 24 hours to prepare for the next game. We have to take the time to prepare the best that we can. Finland is good team. They’ve got a good goalie and we have to find a way to beat him if we want a chance to win.” 

Norwegian defender Jonas Holos: "We started pretty good with a good defensive game. We made it a hard battle for them to score goals. In the end, it was a lucky break off my skate that gave them a 1-0 lead and it just got tougher and tougher later on. Our game plan was to keep it tight as long as possible. We knew the longer we could keep it at 0-0 they would get more frustrated and take penalties."

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