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Photo Credit: Twitter / Hockey Canada World Junior A Challenge
By Shane Clausing
Russia Beats Canada

Russia defeats Canada East in gold medal thriller

Dec 16, 2019 | 10:19 AM

For the first time in the 13-year history, both Canada East and Russia were looking for their first ever gold medal at the World Junior A Challenge on Sunday night.

Canada East was coming off a 2-1 shootout victory over the United States in the semi-final while the Russians defeated the Czech’s 5-1.

The first period was mainly dominated by the Russians. The team had several high scoring chances, including hitting two posts in the first five minutes of the game, but Canada East goaltender Devon Levi was able to stay poised and keep the game scoreless.

In the second period Canada East gained some momentum. Iliya Rychkov of Russia took an early boarding penalty just two minutes into the second frame, sending Canada East to the powerplay. The Canadian’s had a couple of decent chances but couldn’t muster anything together.

Shortly after the power play Canada East forward Charles Tremblay would catch the Russian defense slow footed and head in on a breakaway, only to be hooked and given a penalty shot. Tremblay ended up getting stopped on the shot by Russian goaltender Yegor Guskov.

The game remained scoreless after two.

The third period saw a lot of back and forth hockey from both sides. Canada East and Russia would trade excellent scoring chances, but both goaltenders stood strong.

It wasn’t until there was 4:21 left in the third period where we would see the first goal. Russia’s Vasili Ponomaryov put a shot on net, leaving a rebound opportunity for Pavel Tyuntnev who put the puck home giving Russia the 1-0 lead.

Canada had to respond and had to do it quick. With under three minutes to go in the game Canada caught a massive break. Both Shakir Mukhamadullin and Daniil Chayka sent the puck over the glass on clearing attempts, taking delay of game penalties and giving Canada a five on three with under two minutes to go. The Canadians would pull the goalie to make it a six on three.

With 1:02 remaining in the third period, Phillippe Chapleau, Ryan O’Hara and Ryan Alexander would combine on a beautiful tic-tac-toe goal to even the game up at a 1-1 and send the game to overtime.

The gold medal game would play continuous overtime until there is a winner.

In the early stages of overtime Canada East would have the best opportunities. Tremblay would get the puck on net where a rebound would fall to Dovar Tinling but missed the net by inches.

Canada East controlled most of the possession in the first overtime, Yegor Guskov continued his incredible goaltending performance and couldn’t be solved. The game would remain scoreless and head to double overtime.

In double overtime the Russian’s came out flying and controlled the flow of the period. Dovar Tinling was left with no choice but to take a penalty to stop a key Russian scoring chance, which would send the Russians to a four on three powerplay.

On the powerplay Shakir Mukhamadullin riffled away the overtime winner giving Russia their first gold medal in tournament history.

Both Devon Levi and Yegor Guskov were sensational in the game. Guskov made 31 saves picking up the win while Levi stopped 39 shots in the loss.

Following the game Levi was named tournament MVP, while Guskov joined East defenceman Philippe Chapleau, Russia defender Daniil Chayka, American forwards Brendan Brisson and Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, and East captain Ryland Mosley on the all-star team.

The 2020 World Junior A Challenge will be play in Cornwall Ontario next year.

by Shane Clausing