Canadian NJT edged 2-1 in overtime
Friday December 19, 2014
Toronto, ON – After a sensational 52 save performance from goaltender Ilya Sorokin, Alexander Sharov would lift Russia to victory with 1:45 remaining in overtime. The 2-1 Russian win saw them overcome the odds after being outshot 53-20 by a fast paced Canadian offence.
After a scoreless first period where Canada outshot Russia 14-7, Josh Morrissey (Kelowna Rockets) opened the scoring 1:07 into the second period on a feed from Arizona Coyotes prospect Max Domi (London Knights). Morrissey snapped a quick release over the blocker of Sorokin from just inside the top of the circles.
Russia would respond at 8:10 of the second as Sergey Tolchinsky (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) was persistent in the slot, pushing a rebound over the goal line off the body of a Canadian defender to tie the score at one.
Canada continued applying pressure in the third frame, testing Sorokin 17 times to take the three period shooting tally 51-15.
A 1-1 game spilled into overtime as the two clubs swapped chances. Madison Bowey’s (Kelowna Rockets) backhand opportunity in the high slot would be thwarted by the right pad of Sorokin early in the extra frame to preserve the tie, setting the stage for Nikolay Goldobin and Alexander Sharov to convert on the difference maker. The two Russian forwards entered the Canadian zone off the rush, with Goldobin snapping a shot onto the glove hand of goaltender Zachary Fucale (Quebec Remparts). The rebound emerged back into the slot for an oncoming Sharov who buried the game winner to give Russia a 2-1 victory.
Canada controlled much of the pace on Friday in front of a large crowd of 18,144 on hand at the Air Canada Centre. The high speed combination of Sam Reinhart (Kootenay Ice), Max Domi (London Knights) and Anthony Duclair (New York Rangers/Quebec Remparts) generated a wealth of offense throughout the game.
Canadian forwards Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), Curtis Lazar (Ottawa Senators/Edmonton Oil Kings), Nic Petan (Portland Winterhawks) and defenceman Joe Hicketts (Victoria Royals) did not play on Friday.
Canada’s next action in pre-tournament play comes on Sunday in Ottawa when they take on Sweden at 7:00pm.
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