Russia shuts down US attack, advances to gold medal final
by from on (#ZKZ7)
Russia remained perfect against the United States in medal-round competition at the World Junior Hockey Championship, advancing to Tuesday's gold medal final with a stifling 2-1 triumph.
The Russians will sort out gold and silver in a surprise championship clash with host Finland, which conquered Sweden in Monday's first semifinal matchup.
Here's what you need to know:
- Alex Nedeljkovic was brilliant in the American net, making 31 saves, but was trumped by Ilya Samsonov. The Washington Capitals first-round pick made 26 saves in just his second start of the tournament, including 13 in the final frame.
- Auston Matthews struggled throughout and his line, which was responsible for 40 percent of the team's offense, was held off the scoresheet for the second time in the tournament.
- Matthews remains one goal shy of matching Jeremy Roenick for the most at a world junior tournament.
- Sonny Milano's turbo-charged rush down left wing help the US take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. He landed a cross-crease pass onto the stick of Christian Dvorak after neatly slipping a Russian defender.
- After Matthew Tkachuk and Alex DeBrincat hit posts, Russia nearly equaled the score on a 2-minute 5-on-3. Its best opportunities were spoiled by Nedeljkovic, whom highlighted his impressive tournament showing with a pair of ridiculous stops.
- Nedeljkovic stood tall through the midway portion of the second, but Russia finally broke down the wall. Pavel Kraskrovski delivered a third whack on a wild scramble in front to erase Dvorak's goal less than three minutes before Yegor Kroshkov put Russia ahead with a brilliant goal-line drive in the offensive zone.
- The United States was made threatening when suddenly desperate, but Russia really did clamp down effectively in the defensive zone following Kroshkov's goal.
- Ron Wilson, who may or may not know Samsonov's name, will have failed to lead a national team to gold for the eighth consecutive competition.
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