WJC 2016 Day 8 Recap
Monday January 4, 2016
A pair of one-goal contests on Monday determined who will battle for gold at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championship as Finland and Russia claimed exciting victories in Helsinki.
Finland returns to the gold medal game two years after their championship victory in Malmo, Sweden in 2014 while the Russians take another shot at world junior hockey supremacy following a loss to Canada last year in Toronto.
Here’s a look at Monday’s semi-final action.
RUSSIA 2, UNITED STATES 1
Russia will compete for gold on Tuesday after edging the United States 2-1 in semi-final action on goals from Pavel Kraskovsky and Egor Korshkov.
Goaltender Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves to lead Russia to its second straight gold medal game appearance.
Christian Dvorak (London Knights) scored the lone goal for the Americans on an assist from OHL graduate Sonny Milano. United States goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs) made 31 saves in the loss before being named one of the United States’ top three players in the tournament.
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings) was named one of Russia’s top three players of the tournament after recording six assists in six games.
The Americans will battle Sweden for Bronze on Tuesday while Russia faces host Finland for gold.
FINLAND 2, SWEDEN 1
Roope Hintz and Antti Kalapudas scored second period markers to lead Finland past neighbouring Sweden 2-1 on Monday as the Finns will battle for gold at home on Tuesday.
Finland limited Sweden to just three third period shots, outshooting them 28-22 in the game as Colorado Avalanche prospect Mikko Rantanen assisted on both goals along with Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Kasperi Kapanen.
Fellow Leafs prospect Dmytro Timashov (Quebec Remparts) had an assist for Sweden in the loss.
After losing the bronze medal game to Slovakia last year, the Swedes will have a shot at claiming third place this year on Tuesday against the United States while Finland is in the hunt for gold after winning two years ago in Malmo, Sweden.
Sunday’s Action:
SWITZERLAND 6, BELARUS 2
Former Guelph Storm forward Pius Suter buried a hat-trick while Calvin Thurkauf (Kelowna Rockets) had a goal and an assist in Switzerland’s 6-2 relegation round victory over Belarus.
Switzerland will be back at the World Juniors in Montreal and Toronto next year while Belarus is relegated following their second loss to Switzerland in as many days.
Dario Meyer (Edmonton Oil Kings) scored for the Swiss while Timo Meier (Halifax Mooseheads) collected an assist.
Switzerland outshot Belarus 44-23 in the victory.
For full coverage of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, including updates and schedules, visit worldjunior2016.com or hockeycanada.ca.
