Russians hold off Team Canada comeback to advance to gold medal final
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Canada could not duplicate what the Russians did to them a year ago.
Despite outscoring the Russians 4-1 in the third period, Team Canada’s comeback fell just short as the defending gold medalists held on for a 6-5 victory Monday at the World Junior Championships at the Saddledome in Calgary.
Russia now advances to take on Sweden in the Gold medal game, while Canada will take on Finland for bronze.
Leading 6-1 in the third, Canada scored four unanswered goals but couldn’t net the equalizer despite steady pressure late in the game — and a few goal posts and goalmouth scrambles to boot.
Dougie Hamilton, Jaden Schwartz, Brendan Gallagher, and Brandon Gormley all scored for Canada in the third. Brett Connolly netted Canada’s first of the game in the second period.
Yevgeni Kuznetsov led Russia’s charge offensively with a hat trick. Nikita Nesterov, Alexander Khokhlachev, and Nikita Kucherov have also scored for Russia.
Canada outshot the Russians 54-26 in the game.
Scott Wedgewood started the game for Canada but left the game with an injury and was replaced by Mark Visentin.
Canada entered the game undefeated after preliminary round play and a bye to the semi final.
However, mistakes early allowed the Russians to lead 2-0 after one period and 5-1 following the second intermission.
Russian advances to its fifth gold medal game in the past eight years.
Canada had appeared in 10 straight gold medal games before 2012 but have won a medal at the World Juniors 13 straight years.
Team Canada is going to 14 Thursday in the bronze medal final against the Finns.
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