Russia's Alexander Khovanov #7 celebrates after scoring a goal in the 6-0 win against Canada.
photo: Andrea Cardin / HHOF-IIHF Images
It was one of those nights when everything went well for one team – Russia – and nothing went well for the other – Canada. The result was a well-earned 6-0 pasting by the former over the latter.
Amir Miftakhov stopped 28 mostly routine stops for the win, while Canada's result was its worst ever in World Junior Championship history. The score also creates a unique situation in the Group B standings with all five teams having 1-1 records and three points right now.
"We played unbelievably well," said winning defenceman Yegor Zamula. "Everyone played hard, and Canada didn't play very well. We dominated, scored some nice goals, and played well defensively."
"After losing to the Czechs, we knew it was only one game," said Alexander Khovanov, who had a goal and an assist. "It was only the first game, so we just got ready for today. We played great tonight."
"They played a great game," acknowledged Canadian captain Barrett Hayton. "Obviously we're disappointed in our performance, but we have to give them kudos. We weren't good enough. We got behind early again tonight, and it's tough to come back. We have to be better, and we will be."
Amir Miftakhov stopped 28 mostly routine stops for the win, while Canada's result was its worst ever in World Junior Championship history. The score also creates a unique situation in the Group B standings with all five teams having 1-1 records and three points right now.
"We played unbelievably well," said winning defenceman Yegor Zamula. "Everyone played hard, and Canada didn't play very well. We dominated, scored some nice goals, and played well defensively."
"After losing to the Czechs, we knew it was only one game," said Alexander Khovanov, who had a goal and an assist. "It was only the first game, so we just got ready for today. We played great tonight."
"They played a great game," acknowledged Canadian captain Barrett Hayton. "Obviously we're disappointed in our performance, but we have to give them kudos. We weren't good enough. We got behind early again tonight, and it's tough to come back. We have to be better, and we will be."
Russia vs. Canada - 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship
RUS vs. CAN
The Russians started with pressure and were rewarded almost immediately. Khovanov scored just 1:44 into the game thanks to a bad gaffe from Daws. He blocked Khovanov’s long shot awkwardly, and the puck bounced over his head and into the goal.
That was the kind of night it was going to be. The Russians went ahead 2-0 at 10:14 when Pavel Dorofeyev got the puck alone in front of Daws, deked the goalie with a quick move, and lifted the puck in.
Three and a half minutes later, they struck for a third time. Again Daws failed to control a high shot, and Nikita Rtishev got to the rebound first.
The second period was more of the same, starting with an early shift by Alexis Lafreniere. He had a great scoring chance, but in the process twisted his left knee and lay in pain on the ice for several minutes. He left under help and did not return.
That was the kind of night it was going to be. The Russians went ahead 2-0 at 10:14 when Pavel Dorofeyev got the puck alone in front of Daws, deked the goalie with a quick move, and lifted the puck in.
Three and a half minutes later, they struck for a third time. Again Daws failed to control a high shot, and Nikita Rtishev got to the rebound first.
The second period was more of the same, starting with an early shift by Alexis Lafreniere. He had a great scoring chance, but in the process twisted his left knee and lay in pain on the ice for several minutes. He left under help and did not return.
A minute later, the Russians made it 4-0 thanks to another close-in deke, this by Nikita Alexandrov. That spelled the end for Daws, but his replacement, Joel Hofer, didn’t fare much better. He allowed his first goal at 13:09 thanks to a fortuitous tip in front by Yegor Sokolov, and three minutes later Grigori Denisenko wired a shot from the slot that beat Hofer cleanly.
Canada fought gamely to break Miftakhov's shutout, but the bounces just weren't there tonight. For Russia, it was a game to build on; for Canada, a game to forget.
Canada fought gamely to break Miftakhov's shutout, but the bounces just weren't there tonight. For Russia, it was a game to build on; for Canada, a game to forget.
Russia vs. Canada - 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship
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