BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Canada's gameplan of playing physical against the Russians nearly cost them early in the opening game of the world junior hockey championship.
Marcus Foligno, who was born in Buffalo, drew cheers early after a big hit levelled Russian forward Vladimir Tarasenko. But as play continued down the ice Maxim Kitsyn scored the opening goal and silenced the partisan Canadian crowd.
"Just seeing that go in after I made a pretty big hit -- it was tough," Foligno said.
It took Canada what was left of the first period to equalize due in part to a series of misses. Brayden Schenn missed an open net from a cross-crease pass by Zack Kassian while on the power-play. Then it was Schenn’s turn to find another teammate open only to miss Russian netminder Igor Bobkov’s right side.
But the third open net was the charm for Canada as Foligno chipped in a backhand with Bobkov at his mercy on a rebound. The son of former NHLer Mike Foligno leapt into the boards during his celebration, choosing a similar but not identical celebration to his father.
"We’ll keep that for an NHL game I guess," he joked.
Canadian captain Ryan Ellis gave his team the lead midway through the second period on a strange goal. While waiting for a screen to develop, Ellis fired a slapshot that went wide, but bounced back off the boards and off Bobkov’s skate and into his own net. Ellis didn’t exactly plan the bank shot, but knew the lively boards could produce scoring chances.
"The boards (have been) hard all week," said Ellis, who had hoped simply to get a rebound for his teammates. "(It was) just a lucky bounce and we were fortunate for that."
The Russians continually shot themselves in the foot as the second period wore on, passing up scoring chances in prime locations. First it was Dmitri Orlov, whose pass hit a defender when he was unchallenged and in the middle of the slot. Then Tarasenko tried finding Orlov in a similar spot, neither chance producing a shot on goal.
Nikita Dvurechenski showed his teammates why shooting is never a bad option on the ensuing rush. With no passing options available on a partial break after a Canadian turnover in the neutral zone, Dvurechenski found Roy’s five-hole.
Both teams got back to the basics late in the period. Erik Gudbranson put the Canadians ahead 3-2 with a seeing-eye point shot over Bobkov’s blocker.
The Russians did likewise, sending forwards to the net on the power-play and shooting from the point. Danil Sobchenko slipped in a rebound past Roy then celebrated on one knee all the way to the boards.
The Canadians took the play to the Russians in the third period with an early goal. Jaden Schwartz’s shot produced a juicy rebound for Johansen, who fanned on the shot, but still found the back of the net.
Team Canada never looked back from that point, continuing its robust and physical style. Schenn and Curtis Hamilton added two more en route to the 6-3 win.
The Russians began to wear down as the game progressed as Canada’s bread and butter physical style got the optimal result.
"We have four lines that take the body constantly and everything that we have is based around getting pucks deep and wearing teams down," forward Casey Cizikas acknowledged. "We have four lines that can do it so we definitely did that to our advantage."
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Canada’s power-play has come under criticism after three pre-tournament games. Ellis was among those who kept the faith, often telling the media not to worry. After Canada scored three goals with the man advantage, Ellis was asked about his clairvoyance.
"I told you I never lie to you guys. I said before, I think when we need it most (the power-play) comes through for us and certain guys step up. I think it got better and better each game, like I said before. It’s exactly what’s been going on."
