Canada edges Russia 3-2 in Yaroslavl
Canada’s National Junior Team opened the Canada-Russia Challenge with a 3-2 win in Yaroslavl Thursday.
The teams will play again on Friday in Russia before playing Games 3 and 4 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Monday and Tuesday.
Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs) scored the game-winner on the power play late in the second period.
Canada also received goals from Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67’s) who opened the scoring in the second period on the power play, followed closely by a goal from Scott Harrington (London Knights).
Malcolm Subban (Belleville Bulls) made 19 saves to earn the win in goal.
Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting) scored one of Russia’s two goals.
The series is being played as a tribute to Kontinental Hockey League team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. The club was involved in a horrific plane crash last September that killed 44 players and coaches. The tournament is also celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series.