It didn’t come easy for Russia. After finishing second in the ultra competitive Group B that saw USA overtake them for first by shutting out Sweden 4-0, they drew Germany in the first of four quarterfinal games at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Given how improved Germany was due to Senators third pick Tim Stutzle along with Sabres second round pick John Peterka, it figured to be an interesting match-up. Deutschland also had gotten good goaltending from Florian Bugl and strong tournaments from center Florian Elias along with defenseman Mario Zimmerman. The latter three all undrafted.
It wasn’t a surprise that Russia got a game from the upstart Germans. Making their first ever appearance in the knockout stage, they gave the favorite Russians all they could handle. However, Predators future netminder Yaroslav Askarov made two goals from Vasily Ponomaryov (Hurricanes) and Danil Bashkirov stand up. Despite a strong push in the third period, Russia defeated Germany 2-1 to advance to the semifinals at the World Junior Championship. Finland and Sweden face-off next. The semifinals reseed depending on the results.
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Russia didn’t play a perfect game. They took too many undisciplined penalties. At one point, they handed Germany five straight power plays. But it was the second ranked Russian penalty kill that got the job done on the match. They went five-for-five and even got a shorthanded goal from Ponomaryov. Following a clean face-off win in the defensive zone, Zakhar Bardakov and Semyon Chistyakov combined to get the puck to a wide open Ponomaryov at center ice. Behind the five man German power play unit, the Canes prospect opened the scoring at 9:06 by scoring on a beautiful forehand deke move to beat Bugl on a breakaway.
The game remained 1-0 after the ever dangerous Stutzle fired a low sinking shot under the arm of Askarov off the goalpost. He has a quick release. Even though he didn’t hit the score sheet in his final game of the WJC, it wasn’t due to lack of chances. The soon to be Ottawa Senator finished the tournament with five goals and five assists for 10 points. He was named one of Germany’s three best players along with Bugl and Zimmerman.
After successfully killing off a pair of penalties, Russia went to work to get the all important second goal. On a good forecheck that started behind the net, Arseni Gritsyuk worked the puck down low to Yegor Afanasiev. He had enough time to center for Bashkirov, who beat Bugl through a small hole. The puck hopped off him and in for a 2-0 Russia lead at 8:27 of the second period.
The Russians continued to get into penalty trouble. But their strong kill kept bailing them out. Germany only totaled one shot on five power plays. That has been a team strength coming in. However, they lost the battle of special teams. It proved to be the difference. Even with Bugl doing his best to keep his team in the game, they could only beat Askarov once.
In particular, Elias had chances. He was stopped by Askarov on one opportunity and had another one off a redirection go off the crossbar. Stutzle was also thwarted twice. It wasn’t until a broken play that Elias finally beat Askarov with 16:36 left in the third. After losing control of the puck, he regained it and fired a quick wrist shot that surprised Askarov to cut the deficit to 2-1. He had a great tournament and surely opened some eyes. Maybe an NHL team calls his name next draft. He doesn’t turn 19 until August 7. Elias finished with nine points (4-5-9).
With the Germans pressing the action, they came close to tying it twice. First, a good cycle nearly drew a penalty shot. But Yegor Spiridonov closed his hand on the puck outside the crease for a German power play. They were unable to do anything. Following a Russian clear, Peterka took an offensive zone minor for interference to even it up. It was four-on-four before an abbreviated Russian power play.
Still trailing by one, it was a rushing Elias who retrieved a puck and was one-on-one with Askarov. But the cool Russian starter gloved his backhand with over three minutes left. That was the final chance Germany had. Russia did a good job protecting the lead with an aggressive cycle and smart defensive play in the neutral zone.
After one final draw in the German zone, they celebrated a hard fought victory.
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The third game is at 7 EST/5 Edmonton time between heavily favored Canada against the Czech Republic. USA doesn’t play until 10:30 EST in the fourth and final quarter against Slovakia.
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