Canada Surrenders Late-Game Lead, Lose to Russia 2-1

Canada held on to a lead up until the very end, only to see Russia come back with two goals to stun the tournament favourites 2-1.

Both teams had some quality scoring chances in the first ten minutes, starting with a couple of close ones by Canada. At the 6:20 mark, a shot by Canadian captain Markus Phillips found a way to beat Russian netminder Artyom Melnikov, but couldn't cross the goal line. Then, at the 7:48 mark, Stelio Mattheos thought he slipped the puck into the net, but it never fully crossed over the line either.

Venyamin Baranov had a chance of his own with about four minutes to go in the opening period. Baranov would break in all alone but despite losing his footing, he managed to get a solid shot away in the process.

It took just 78 seconds into the second period for the Canadians to secure the lead. Making up for the no-goal earlier, Mattheos was in a perfect spot to pick up a rebound and flick it over Melnikov, giving Canada the 1-0 lead.

The game had a very slow pace, with the camera showing bored fans during most breaks in the play. It didn't help that neither team really took many offensive liberties, especially when they both went long stretches without a shot during the midway part of the game.

The Canadians has a wonderful chance to score with just over a minute left in the frame, but came just a bit short following a huge save by Melnikov. Once again, it was Mattheos creating the offense, but it was Melnikov who, despite getting beat on the play, sprawled out to make the huge diving glove save to keep the game close heading into the intermission.

At the seven-minute mark of the third, Canda piled on the chances. First, Jordy Bellerive cut in front of the net before backhanding it off the post. Then, not too long after, Mattheos once again found himself involved in the play, but couldn't finalize a two-on-one effort in front of the net.

For the second day in a row, Canada would surrender the tying goal in the final two minutes. This time, Ivan Cecovich redirected a point shot on the power play, putting some life back in Russia's step in a very close matchup.

Could Canada hold on? For the eight-time defending tournament champions, the answer was false. With 1:08 remaining in the contest, Klim Kostin finished off a nice passing play with a tap-in goal just in front of the crease, giving Russia the 2-1 lead and, in turn, the victory.

With the loss, Canada will look to rebound with an 8:00 AM ET meeting with Sweden, the team that have proven themselves to be a major contender. Russia will meet up with Slovakia later in the day, an 11:30 AM puck drop. 

 

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