Canada vs. Russia results: Score, highlights from Canada's narrow loss at World Juniors

Rudi Schuller

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Canada vs. Russia results: Score, highlights from Canada's narrow loss at World Juniors image

Canada received a reality check as the previously undefeated team fell 2-1 to Russia on Monday on the final day of round robin action at the 2019 World Junior Championship.

Cody Glass' early goal was all the scoring the Canadians could muster as Pyotr Kochetkov stood tall in the Russian net to help his team take hold of top spot in Group A.

The Canadians continued their trend of fast starts with Glass' goal coming 2:20 into the opening frame, as the Vegas Golden Knights' prospect received a pass from Owen Tippet and snapped the puck past Kochetkov to send the Vancouver crowd into raptures. The party atmosphere at Rogers Arena wouldn't last long, as Grigori Denisenko scored a power play goal just three minutes after Glass' opener to bring the Russians back on level terms.

From there it was all Russia for the remainder of first period as Canada scrambled to keep pace in a hectic start to the contest.

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Head coach Tim Hunter seemingly got his charges to refocus in the first intermission as the Canadians jumped out to start the second period and were dominant throughout the middle frame. Kochetkov earned his keep in turning away every Canadian attack, with the Russian netminder stopping all 13 shots he faced in the period.

The start of the third period was more of the same, with Canada seemingly having its way with everyone except Kochetkov. As the goaltender continued to frustrate the Canadians, it was the Russians who would find the back of the net. Pavel Shen bulldozed his way from the right wing and cut in with three Canadians on his back to score at the 11-minute mark of the final period, stunning the pro-Canada crowd and turning the game on its head.

Shen's go-ahead goal flipped momentum back to the Russians, who were suddenly on the front foot for long stretches. Russia would've sealed the game shortly after Shen's marker if not for some solid goaltending by Mike DiPietro, including a pair of stunning back-to-back breakaway saves on Kirill Slepets late in the contest, but Canada found itself with a chance right until the final horn.

Despite a frenzied finish that saw the Canadians end the game on a power play and with the goalie pulled, the night belonged to the steadfast Russian team.

The result means Russia (4-0) claims first place in Group A, while Canada (3-1) finishes in second. The Canadians will face Finland in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Sporting News provided live updates and highlights from Team Canada's final preliminary round game at the 2019 World Juniors.

Canada 1, Russia 2: Play-by-play, highlights

Third period

0:00 - Canada gets off a good shot, but the Russians will come away victorious. That was an entertaining hockey game.

0:06.8  - Penalty coming to Russia after Pavel Shen deliberately falls on top of the puck on a face off. A second has been added.

0:31.3 - Canada can't get any closer to scoring here. Wow. 

1:18 - Faceoff in the Russian zone upcoming.

2:02 - DiPietro leaves Canada's net for the extra attacker.

2:47 - DiPietro stops TWO (!) breakaways as Kirill Slepets catches all the Canadians pushing forward. Huge saves, back-to-back.

4:00 - Canada pouring it on now. The clock is now on Russia's side.

7:08 - Russia hits the crossbar after the puck deflected off Michael DiPietro's shoulder! Nervy moments ahead for the host nation here.

7:45 - The crowd, which was stunned into silence on the Russian go-ahead goal, shows some life with a "let's go Canada!" chant. Will the team respond in kind?

9:00 - GOAL! Russia takes the lead through a fantastic solo effort from Pavel Shen. The Canadians trail for the first time in the tournament. Russia 2, Canada 1

11:08 - 26-21 is the shot counter. Canada out ahead. Game still tied.

13:45 - This period is flying by with very few whistles. Still awaiting the first goal since the opening frame.

19:24 - The Russians kill off the penalty as Evan Bouchard gets off a good slap shot to end the Canadian man advantage.

20:00 - And we're back for the third. Will we see any goals over the next 20 minutes?

Second Period

0:00 - The period ends as there's a mad scramble in front of the Russian net. Canada will have 36 seconds left on the power play when the third period begins.

1:25 - Canada heads back to the power play after Vasili Podkolzin is called from roughing.

2:47 - Canada has an 11-3 advantage on shots in the period. That's how lopsided this middle frame has been, but the teams are still level and Russia could easily jump ahead at any time.

4:27 - The power play is over with Canada getting two shots on goal, but still no goal in this period.

6:28 - Canada gets its first power play as Vitali Kravtsov is called for hooking.

9:25 - That looks like it hurt.

10:00 - These teams are cancelling each other out.

12:22 - Canada kills the penalty without incident.

14:23 - Russia is headed to the power play after Nick Suzuki gets called for high-sticking.

15:00 - It's been all Canada so far in this period. Nothing to show for it, though.

19:31 - Both teams are back to full strength.

20:00 - And we're back!

First Period

0:00 - The horn blows on a riveting opening 20 minutes with each team still having a man in the box. Let's all take a breather.

1:31 - And we're going back to 4 on 4, with Max Comtois heading back to the box along with Russia's Stepan Starkov. Requisite "ref you suck!" chants have ensued.

4:50 - Neither team scores and we're back to 5 on 5.

6:50 - More penalties to come as Alex Comtois gets cross-checked by Klim Kostin and receives a diving call for his trouble. It's 4 on 4 hockey as the Rogers Arena crowd breaks out into a "ref you suck!" chant.

9:00 - Russia holds an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal as this game is frantic. 

14:40 - GOAL! The power play is successful as Grigori Denisenko finishes off a tic-tac-toe play to equalize. Canada 1, Russia 1

16:00 - Russia will go on the power play after Morgan Frost gets slapped with a boarding call. That's 2 and 10 for the Canadian.

17:40 - GOAL! Canada opens the scoring through Cody Glass! Canada 1, Russia 0

18:00 - Each team has registered their first shot. Both required good saves by the respective goalies.

20:00 - Puck drop. Here we go!

Pregame

Here's how Canada will line up.

Related news links

•  A team-by-team guide to the 2019 World Junior Championship

• 10 players to watch at the 2019 World Junior Championship

• Canada scores, schedule, how to watch World Juniors games online

•  The hype about Jack Hughes: U.S. NTDP's latest star product has the NHL's attention

 

Rudi Schuller