Canada 1 – 2 Finland (OT)
After a first period with no scoring, and just witnessing a powerhouse Sweden team get knocked out by Switzerland, the Canadian fans had every right to be concerned.
Early in the 2nd period, Canadian fans had a collective exhale when Ian Mitchell scored to take the lead 1-0.
Ian Mitchell has had some tough moments in this tournament, but he makes it 1-0 for Canada after pinching in. Great move by Barrett Hayton. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/npJhEWLjj3
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) January 3, 2019
The score would stay 1-0 until the final minute of play in the 3rd period when ex-Swift Current Bronco Alexi Heponiemi was credited with the tying goal that deflected off his skate and past Michael DiPietro sending the Quarterfinal to overtime.
Wow, Eeli Tolvanen shot is deflected in net by Aleksi Heponiemi and 1-1 between Finland and Canada.https://t.co/9WUitdidbFhttps://t.co/GpQwU7PN7j#WJC2019 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/A4lyUIxYwN
— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) January 3, 2019
Finland ties the game with 46 seconds to go and now we head to overtime in Canada vs Finland. Winner goes to the semis. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/Wc1mxiWPWQ
— Jordie ? (@BarstoolJordie) January 3, 2019
Overtime was well played with chances both ways. Just past the halfway mark it looked like Canada was assured a goal when Noah Dobson received a perfect pass from Cody Glass and with a gaping net, his stick smashed to pieces. This gave Finland an odd man rush the other way and Toni Utunen was able to find the back of the net to send Finland to the Semifinals.
Oh (no) Canada #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/X5r6iwAjIG
— Bah Humbug Ben (@bsienk9) January 3, 2019
Finland will move on to face Switzerland on Friday.
Russia 8 – 3 Slovakia
This game saw no upset, the favoured Russians were in control from start to finish.
Early in the first Russia scored three goals in a little over two minutes to take control of the contest and chase Slovakian goaltender Samuel Hlavaj
Alexander Alexeyev, 3-0. Russia has chased Samuel Hlavaj after just 7:49 of play. Juraj Sklenar in net now. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/psTAIZtAoM
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) January 3, 2019
Russia scored once more in the first to take a 4-0 lead into the 2nd period.
Russia, 4-0. Bad bounce off the Slovak defenceman and Nikita Shashkov makes it 4-0 at 10:56 in the game. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/Ife7N1cMGg
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) January 3, 2019
The Russians scored three more times in the second including two from Forward Klim Kostin.
5-0 Russia. Grigori Denisenko makes a great play to get to the puck, with Klim Kostin getting the rebound. Slovaks were moving in slow motion. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/bxU78s359W
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) January 3, 2019
Slovakia found the back of the net three times in the third, the second of which was challenged for offside (unsuccessfully).
Russia is challenging this 8-2 goal for being offside with a minute left in the game. First shot against Tarasov. #WJC2019 pic.twitter.com/3bX5EyanCP
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) January 3, 2019
Russia will move on to face USA on Friday.
