Russia, Czech Republic Victorious on Second Day of WJAC

Canada West and Russia played a very thrilling contest to close out the second day of round robin action at the World Junior A Challenge, with Russia battling back to win 5-3 on Monday.

Despite a strong first period by the Canadians, the Russians were able to take the 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Mikhail Bitsadze got the scoring started at 9:39 after taking a shot from Yaroslav Alexeyev and turning it into a goal of his own, giving the Russians the advantage on just the third shot of the game.

The Russians would strike again before the end of the period thanks to a shorthanded goal. Ivan Chekhovich did all the work, making some slick moves around the net, but it would be Alexey Lipanov who would knock in the puck and capitalize on the chance to give Russia the 2-0 lead before the end of the first period.

It took almost no time for Canada to pot one on the second. Easily Canada’s best player in the first half of the game, Carter Turnbull made good on a shorthanded breakaway by making a quick deke just in front of Russian goaltender Dimitrii Raiko and potting it in to cut the lead to 2-1.

Before the period was five minutes old, Canada tied it up at two apiece. This time, Regan Seiferling’s point shot was redirected by Will Coop, knotting the contest up at two apiece. Cale Makar also assisted on the goal, adding to his five-point performance against Switzerland on Sunday night to open to the tournament.

Raiko was having trouble with his rebounds, and that was evident when he allowed his third goal of the period. Once again, Turnbull found himself in a good spot to pick up the loose puck, knocking it in the net to give Canada West the 3-2 lead, their first of the game.

But right before the buzzer sounded for the second period, Russia tied it up at three apiece. While on the power-play, Andrei Svechnikov one-timed a pass from Alexey Lipanov, tying the game up again to make the third period even more interesting.

Two quick goals by the Russians in the first two and a half minutes gave Russia the 5-3 lead. First, Svechnikov sent the puck out to Lipanov on a two-on-one, with Lipanov making it 4-3. Then, shortly after, the pair set up Ivan Chekhovich in close as Russia was able to take the two-goal advantage once again in the game. It was good enough to put the contest away for Russia, who would hold on for the 5-3 victory on Monday.

Canada West will wait until Wednesday to compete again, playing in the quarter-final round. Russia will recoup and battle Canada East on Tuesday night, a 7:30 PM local start.

Czech Republic 1, USA 0

In the early game to start the day, the Czech Republic needed just one goal to defeat the reigning bronze medal champions, the United States of America, by a score of 1-0.

Coming off a 4-1 loss to Canada East, the Czech’s were hungry to find the back of the net in game where they looked outmatched on paper. On paper doesn’t mean anything once the puck is dropped, however, as Kristian Reichel was the lone goal-scorer thanks to a power-play goal in the third period, a power-play marker.

The 1-0 game was just the third contest to have such a score in the tournament’s history, giving the Czech’s just their fourth win ever. Petr Vrana was in net for the Czech’s, stopping all 30 shots sent his way for the victory.

The Czech's will wait until Wednesday's quarter-final day to hit the ice again, while the Americans will meet with Switzerland Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 PM local time.

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