U20 World Junior Championships

WHL at the World Junior Championships day four

Written by Brandon Rivers on

Russia 5 Belarus 2

Russia (2-1) kept themselves in the running for the top spot in Group B with a 5-2 win over Belarus (0-3). They scored twice in the first, added another goal in the third and then held off the Belorussians, who were able to find the net twice in the third period. Victoria Royals forward Igor Martynov assisted on the last goal for Belarus and was a plus-one with 16:04 of ice time. Calgary Hitmen defenseman Vladislav Yeryomeko also hit the post as his team was pressing to cut the Russian’s lead to one late in the game. Yeryomenko has been a workhorse for Belarus and had two shots in 25:04 of ice time. This led his team.

Prince George Cougars forward Vladislav Mikhalchuk was a minus-three in 9:34.

Swift Current Broncos blue liner Artyom Minulin was a workhorse again on the Russian side as he was a plus-two and had one shot in 19:11.

 

USA 4 Canada 3 (SO)

In the long-awaited outdoor game, the United States in a similar fashion to last year’s gold medal game, came back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game and then won it in the shootout. The conditions were brutal as snow fell throughout, causing some strange bounces and a few awkward moments, but in the end this one was an instant classic, especially if you are a fan of USA Hockey.

Kelowna Rockets forward Dillon Dube scored off a feed from Regina Pats center Sam Steel on the power, giving Canada a 2-0 first period lead. Dube finished the game with a minus-one rating and two shots in 22:12 of ice time.

Portland Winterhawks forward Kieffer Bellows had his minutes cut in the loss to Slovakia and started this one on the third line. He even saw little time on the power play, up until the States had an extensive five-on-three in the second period. He used this opportunity to his advantage as he drifted in from the point with his stick cocked and then waited a second before drilling a shot by Everett Silvertips goalie Carter Hart on the short side.

 

Unfortunately for the U.S., Calgary Hitmen d-man Jake Bean corralled the puck off a missed chance and fired a hard pass down low. Boris Katchouk put the puck in for the 3-1 Canadian lead. Bean would skate 14:17 and was a plus-one with one shot.

Scott Perunovioch and Brady Tkachuk had goals in a span of 37 seconds to tie the game and force overtime. Bellows had a good look on a wraparound chance in the overtime, but ultimately neither team could find the net.

What followed was another shootout win for the U.S. over Hart and Canada. Bellows beat Hart through the five-hole to start the circus and Tkachuk followed his up with a goal of his own. Steel struck iron with a slick backhand chance and none of his other three Canadian teammates that got chance could beat Portland Winterhawks draft pick Jake Oettinger.

Bellows had two goals and now leads the tournament with four in three games. He is tied for fourth overall in points. He had a game-high eight shots in 17 minutes of playing time.

Steel skated 19:06 and was a minus-one.

Spokane Chiefs forward Kailer Yamamoto was a plus-one with one shot in 21:39 for the winning team.

For Canada, Kelowna Rockets d-man Cal Foote was a plus-one in 10:59, Brandon’s Kale Clague was a minus-one in 26:49, Swift Current’s Tyler Steenbergen skated just 4:42 and Moose Jaw’s Brett Howden had two shots in 15:18.

Hart was named player of the game for Canada. He stopped 32 of 35 in regulation and OT and 1/3 in the shootout.

The shootout win only gives the U.S. two points, while Canada gets one. That means Canada has seven, while the U.S. has five, with each only having one game left. Canada plays Denmark tomorrow, while the U.S. takes on Finland on Sunday.