OHL looks to remain perfect

Third period comebacks aren't limited to the Russians any more.

The Ontario Hockey League erased an early two-goal deficit in the final frame in Game 3 of the Subway Super Series, scoring the next six goals in a 10-7 win by the OHL. In last year's gold-medal game at the world juniors, the Russians scored five unanswered goals in the third period to beat Canada 5-3. The win in Thursday's Subway Super Series game gave Canada a small sense of revenge, though the Russians still lead the series 2-1.

Thursday's game displayed the most offence ever in this competition, now in its ninth year. The two teams combined for 17 goals, the most in any game, while the OHL ran its record to a perfect 17-0 in this competition. The OHL players are using the rivalry with the Russians to fuel the fire.

TV Note: Team OHL will look to remain perfect against the Russians in Game 4 of the Subway Super Series on Rogers Sportsnet at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

"Any time you get to put that jersey on for your country, you're going to give it everything you have," explained goalie J.P. Anderson. "Once you get to put that jersey on, you get a certain mindset and pride kicks in that you want to represent your country well and that competitiveness takes over."

Will rest or momentum win out?

There was a distinct advantage for the OHL in Thursday's game. The Russians were playing their third game in four days while the OHL players had been off since the previous weekend. Now the Russians have been resting while their competition spent the weekend in league play.

"I think the kids get excited about it and they love playing in these games," said Team OHL head coach Scott Walker. "It's a big deal for them so you don't think tiredness will be a problem, but it may be and if it is, we'll just have to adjust the system and adjust the shift lengths."

Historically, the OHL wins by larger margins in the first game when the Russians are playing their third game in four nights. Under the current schedule the previous seven years, the OHL outscored Russia 43-18 on Thursday games (including last Thursday's tilt), compared to 28-13 in Monday games.

Walker doesn't believe fatigue will be the only factor when teams are assembled to play this competition.

"It's tough to travel and a tough series for (the Russians), but frequently it's tough for our guys because they haven't been together," he said. "Some of the Russian players have played together for quite a bit. There's pros and cons all the way around."

Can the OHL continue to neutralize the Russian speed?

One of the most notable aspects of the first two games of the series, when the Russians played teams representing the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was their ability to spring their forwards for breakaways. Nikita Kucherov, in particular, nearly averaged one per period against the QMJHL all-stars.

The OHL found a way to cut down on the amount of breakaways by the Russians in Thursday's game with a system applying pressure at both ends of the ice.

"A lot has to do on the 'D,'" Walker said. "Keep people in front of them, especially guys that are so dynamic now. With that hard forecheck, it definitely helps because the 'D' don't have as much time to find those guys up there."

Will the OHL offence carry the play?

Thursday's game was hardly the type of game a coaching staff looks fondly upon. Although the OHL won, Walker, an assistant to George Burnett on Thursday, is hoping his group can shore up some areas while maintaining a strong offensive punch.

"I don't think anybody left the game real excited about things that were going on," he said of Thursday's 10-7 win. "Saying you can score 10 goals may be the only positive. I don't necessarily know that we played the exact style or system -- execution wasn't there necessarily."

The offensive attack was a positive. With so many junior-eligible players playing in the NHL this season, Canadian hockey fans can breathe a sigh of relief after the play of world junior hopefuls Ryan Strome, Mark Scheifele, Freddie Hamilton and Tyler Toffoli in particular.

The OHL created a lot of chances by driving to the net, similarly to how the QMJHL produced offence in Game 2, to get some timely goals.

"I don't think we necessarily drew it up that way, but we needed to have a presence in front and to use our size and speed to get there and make it hard for the goalies," Walker said.

Can the OHL keep its undefeated streak alive?

Let's face it, by now everyone knows the OHL has not lost in this competition since it began in 2003. The Russians certainly want to end that streak, but more importantly for them, a win could give them a stranglehold in the series as it heads out west.

Never did the Russians come closer than they did in last year's second game against the OHL. The visitors scored the first goal of the game and if it weren't for a shorthanded goal by Casey Cizikas early in the third period, the OHL may never have got the chance to win in the shootout.

"We didn't want to be that first team to lose," said Anderson, who played in that game. "It's definitely something we like to keep going and keep that streak alive."

In Walker's estimation, his players will be just as mindful of the streak as they will the implications a strong game can have in their immediate futures.

"They're going out there and trying to work as hard as they can and impress the people in Hockey Canada, trying to make a statement," he said. "I think they're mindful of that as much as they are the wins and losses."