Blackwood a Standout in CHL Canada Russia Series

Credit: CHL

Another hard fought CHL Canada Russia Series is in the books.

A testament to the competitive balance between the two sides in recent years, the Canadian Hockey League claimed victory over Russia, marking the seventh straight season that the opponents have alternated as victors.

A 6-4 Team QMJHL victory in Halifax on Thursday solidified a 15-3 CHL series victory by way of points, the widest margin between the two sides since 2009.

The title marks the 10th time the CHL has won the event in its 13-year history. Canada’s National Junior Team has gone on to win five gold medals and three silver medals in World Junior tournaments following a CHL Canada Russia Series victory.

Team WHL forward Collin Shirley (Kamloops Blazers) led the series in scoring with a goal, four assists and five points in two games. The 19 year-old winger set a new WHL record with his five points in the series and tied the mark for assists in a game with three in Game 1 in Kelowna. Russian forward Andrey Svetlakov led his club in scoring with a goal and three assists for four points in six games. Click here for player stats

Mackenzie Blackwood’s (Barrie Colts) 25-save shutout for Team OHL in Game 3 led the way in the goaltending department. Fellow OHL goaltenders Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack) and Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes) combined to hold Russia to just one goal in Game 4, collectively turning aside 21 of 22 shots. Team WHL goaltenders Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks) and Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors) also recorded wins along with Team QMJHL’s Mason McDonald (Charlottetown Islanders). Click here for goalie stats

53 NHL drafted players competed in the series from across the three CHL teams, including 14 first round selections. The Russian National Junior Team included nine NHL draft picks, with two first rounders.

The CHL now has an overall record of 54-18-6 dating back to 2003 while Russia has played to a 24-51-3 mark. The QMJHL holds an all-time record of 14-9-3, the OHL has played to a 22-3-1 record and the WHL is 18-6-2. Click here for event history and results

The series is used as an evaluation for Canada’s National Junior Team that will compete in the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship to be played in Helsinki, Finland in December.  The tournament will run from December 26 to January 5.

 

2015 CHL Canada Russia Series (CHL wins series 15-3 in points):

Game 1 – Monday, November 9 at Kelowna, BC – WHL wins 7-3 
WHL Player of the Game – Collin Shirley (1G, 3A)
Russia Player of the Game – Artur Lauta (1G)
Game Summary

Game 2 –Tuesday, November 10 at Kamloops, BC – WHL wins 4-2
WHL Player of the Game – Jayce Hawryluk (1G, 1A)
Russia Player of the Game – Maxim Tretiak (35 SV)
Game Summary

Game 3 – Thursday,November 12 at Owen Sound, ON – OHL wins 3-0
OHL Player of the Game – Mackenzie Blackwood (25 SV)
Russia Player of the Game – Kirill Pilipenko
Game Summary

Game 4 –Monday, November 16 at Windsor, ON – OHL wins 2-1
OHL Player of the Game – Mitch Marner (1A)
Russia Player of the Game – Alexander Trushkov (36 SV)
Game Summary

Game 5 – Tuesday, November 17 at Rouyn-Noranda, QC – Russia wins 3-2
QMJHL Player of the Game – Nicolas Roy (1G)
Russia Player of the Game – Daniil Vovchenko
Game Summary

Game 6 – Thursday, November 19 at Halifax, NS – QMJHL wins 6-4
QMJHL Player of the Game – Mathieu Joseph (2G)
Russia Player of the Game – Evgeny Svechnikov (2G)
Game Summary

Click here for CHL Canada Russia Series Photo Galleries

Click here for CHL Canada Russia Series Videos

For news, roster information and ticket details, please visit canadarussia.chl.ca.