Fresh start by WJC newcomer Denmark

In the end Russia got away with a shootout win against Denmark in the World Junior Championship opener in Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Sergei Tolchinski and Nikolai Goldobin both were successful on their attempts while both Danish shots were saved by Ilya Sorokin in the Russian net.

In last year's Division 1A Denmark was undefeated to win promotion. Twelve of the players are also playing the 2015 World Juniors.

The newcomer got a perfect start of the game. They got two power-play advantages in the first period and scored on both to get the unexpected 2-goal lead. Oliver Bjorkstrand (picture) got the first goal and Nikolaj Ehlers the second.

It looked like Denmark would keep the 2-goal lead also after two periods but at 39:13 Nikolai Goldobin finally managed to beat Georg Sørensen. During a power-plat he shot the puck from behind the net off the back of Sørensens pad and into the net.

Russia tied the game at seven minutes of the third period. Maxim Mamin had a bit of luck as Vladimir Bryukvin's shot was deflected off his skate into the net.

The Russians outshot Denmark 12-3 in the third period but the Danish vikings managed to get the game to overtime. The overtime period saw a couple of really hot scoring chances. The best ones had Mads Eller of Denmark and Alexander Sharov of Russia.

Denmark will face neighbor Sweden tomorrow while Russia plays Switzerland on Sunday. The fifth team of Group B is Czech Republic.

 

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