World Juniors 2019

Russia shuts out Denmark, Canada moves to 2-0 – WJHC Group A recap (12/27)

Written by Jesse Phillips on

Russia 4 – 0 Denmark

With Denmark playing this game on a very short turnaround (17 hours after their game against Canada ended) not much was expected from the underdog Danes.

Not unexpectedly, Russia scored first just 6:28 into the first period off the stick of Vitali Kravtsov.

The score would stay 1-0 until the 17:49 mark of the 2nd period when Russian Alexander Romanov would extend their lead to two.

Russia went on to score twice more in the third period, one into an empty net.

Romanov, who was drafted in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens in 2018, had three points. Klim Kostin, who was drafted 1st overall in the 2016 CHL import draft by the Kootenay Ice (but never reported), had two assists.

Demark lost two forwards to injury in the first period including their Captain Jonas Rondbjerg who did not return. The other injured Dane, Victor Cubars returned in the third period for one shift.

WHL notables:

Russia

  • Alexander Alexeyev (Red Deer) – 1 Assist – 6 PIM – 1 SOG – +2 – 18:22 time on ice

Denmark

  • Phillip Schultz (Victoria) – 1/3 faceoffs – 2 SOG – minus 2 – 25:14 time on ice
  • Mads Soegaard (Medicine Hat) – Scratched

Canada 3 – 2 Switzerland

After routing Denmark on Wednesday it was important for Canada to stay focused against a more dangerous Switzerland Team. Any sort of overconfidence could have yielded a less than favourable result. Luckily, for fans in Canada, it only took Cody Glass 36 seconds to score his first of the tournament and give Canada the 1-0 lead.

The Swiss tied the game at one just 46 seconds into the second period when forward Philipp Kurashev scored his first of the tournament on the power play.

A litter over five minutes later, Canada retook their lead when MacKenzie Entwistle ripped home a one-timer.

Later in the second, Canada extended their lead to two when Noah Dobson scored his first of the tournament beating the Swiss netminder Akira Schmid through the five-hole.

The score stayed 3-1 until late in the third when Switzerland climbed back within one off the stick of Kurashev for his second power play goal of the game. At one point on the play, Canada had two players without sticks.

After a couple of iffy penalty calls on both teams, Canada was able to hang on to improve their record to 2-0.

Ex Kamloops Blazer Justin Sigrist is at the tournament for his second year with Switzerland.

WHL notables :

Canada

  • Cody Glass (Portland) – 1 goal – 2 PIM – 9/11 faceoffs – 3 SOG – +1 – 19:20 time on ice
  • Brett Leason (Prince Albert) – 1 SOG – +1 – 16:01 time on ice
  • Jaret Anderson-Dolan (Spokane) – 2 PIM – 5/8 faceoffs – 2 SOG – 14:14 time on ice
  • Ty Smith (Spokane) – 2 SOG – 15:48 time on ice
  • Josh Brook (Moose Jaw) – 1 SOG – +2 – 19:58 time on ice
  • Ian Scott (Prince Albert) – 15 saves on 17 shots.

 

Jesse is a passionate about hockey and grew up in Kamloops, BC cheering for the Blazers. He jumped ship and sported his Cougar’s jersey in seasons ticket seats in Prince George, BC for several years. But he is back in Kamloops and sharing his passion for the Blazers with his 2 year old son. He played and reffed hockey for many years and is excited to bring together his love for the game and skills for web development.