Canada beats Russia in a very close contest; wins Canada-Russia Challenge Hockey series in overtime
Canadian junior hockey team won over Russian junior hockey team after a very close contest, which was decided in overtime, to win the Canada-Russia challenge series. The four match series was levelled 2-2 on Tuesday and the series winner’s trophy was to
be given to the team that won in the sudden death.
Two matches of the series were to be played in Russia and two in Canada. It was tied after the two matches in Russia, as Canada won the first game 3-2 and then Russia levelled it by winning the second 6-3. Third game was again a very close one in which Russia
edged over Canadians by just one goal on Monday.
Andrei Sigarev, who had scored the winning goal in the third game, began the scoring in the fourth game as he gave Russians a lead in the first period. Canadians responded well after going down and pressed hard to score an equaliser which they did through
Lucas Lessio. It remained 1-1 at the end of first period.
Russian defenseman, Albert Yarullin gave Team Russia a lead once again in the fifth minute of the second period and Russia was looking favourites to maintain the lead and take the trophy home. But Ty Rattie of Portland Winterhawks had other ideas as he levelled
it at 2-2 by scoring for Canada in 10th minute of second period.
Rattie again took the advantage as Russians got one man down as he scored his second to give Canada the lead, before Jonathan Huberdeau scored the fourth and sealed the game for Canada.
The game went to overtime and sudden death, where Ryan Strome scored in the fourth minute to win the trophy for Canada.
19-year-old Strome who plays for Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) was very happy to score the winning goal and talked about how it went it. The 6-foot-1, 183 pounder said,
“I like that pull-and-drag shot, I’ve scored a few like that before. I saw a little bit of the mesh and put it on net and, luckily, it went in.”
Team Canada’s centre, Mark Scheifele also praised his compatriot’s effort as he said,
“That’s going to probably stick in my mind for a long time. He’s a great player he really helped us get over that hump. He’s got an unbelievable shot and unbelievable moves.”
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