CANADA WINS OVER RUSSIA

It was a win that everyone involved in this trip will remember for the rest of their lives.

In prime time Saturday night vs. a Russian National team, the Canadians walked out with a 5-3 win.

Click to here to listen to Head Coach Tim Kehler's post game comments.

It was a game that had a little bit of everything. And when I say everything, I mean it.

Canada came to play right from the get go and had their best start to a game so far. They controlled the flow of play for the first five minutes. I'm sure it went a long way to give the kids the confidence that they could play with their opponents, and it would carry them for the rest of the game.

Against the flow of play Russia opened the scoring when Ignat Zemchenko came out from behind the net and lifted a backhand over Khaleed Devji.

The Canadians proved they were ready to play when they responded with a pair of goals by Devin Gannon and Mike Hammond 19 seconds apart 3 minutes after the Russians opened the scoring. Captain David Killip assisted on the first goal. He has been in on the scoring in each of Canada's first goal in the three games played so far.

Russia pressed hard afterwards looking for the equalizer. But Khaleed Devji was there to shut them down. He made a number of great saves to keep Canada in the lead. His legs were particularly sharp. He was kicking out first and second shots throughout the course of the first period. Devji's strong play allowed Canada go to the room with their first lead of the tournament.

It didn't take long for the lead to be extended as Josh Manson's point shot was kicked out and Devin Gannon was there to bang home the rebound for his second goal of the game.

Russia again pulled back within one as Aleksandr Gogolev came down his off wing on the right side and fired a shot right through the wickets of Devji.

Josh Manson had Canada's response just over three minutes later when his shot from the left wing was deflected and got past the Kirill Brashkin. That's when they decided to make a goaltending change bringing in Sergei Kostenko.

Manson had a very strong game for Canada. He scored a goal and added an assist. He was also very physical levelling a number of the Russians with a few big hits.

The teams continued to trade goals in the second period and Pavel Medvedev wired a shot over the shoulder of Devji from the high slot to again pull Russia within a goal at 4-3.

This game drew the biggest crowd we have seen for this tournament to date. The rink was about two thirds full and the attendance was about 4000. It made for a fantastic energy in the building. The fans were constantly chanting and dancing all night among other things. More on that later.

The roar the crowd made when Russia looked like they were generating any form of an attack brought the volume level up immensely. They certainly brought their "A" game when it came to their passion and love for their team.

Midway through the second period Head Coach Tim Kehler decided to play a hunch. With Canada in the lead, and Khaleed Devji played pretty strong, Kehler decided to replace Devji with Kris Moore for the remainder of the game. Devji had given the manager enough innings and it was time to go to the bullpen and have Moore try and bring this one home with some long relief.

Click to here to listen to Khaleed Devji's post game comments.

That set up what would be a third period that these kids will remember forever.

The powerplay still hadn't struck for Canada so far in this tournament. But it came up with the perfect time to find the back of the net for the first time nearly 6 minutes into the third period. Jarryd Ten Vaanholt slid one under Kostenko to give Canada their second two goal lead of the game.

Special teams would play a large role in the third period allowing Canada to come away with the win.

Over the course of the third period Canada was penalized four times in the third period and Canada bent but didn't break. That included a 6 on 4 disadvantage with just over three minutes to go as Russia desperate to get back into the game pulled their goaltender for an extra skater. All four Russian powerplays were killed off.

Midway through the third period came a moment no one will ever forget. There was some pushing and shoving along the glass just inside the Russian blueline. All the skaters inside the ice were involved. Then out of the blue a Russian fan with one to many Vodka's on this night decided he wanted to help his boys out as he hopped over the glass and went after Jayson Reardon.

Click to here to listen to Jayson Reardon's post game comments.

Reardon was fine as he wrestled the fan to the ice allowing the officials to escort him to the penalty box then back into the stands for the authorities to deal with him.

It was a joyous dressing room as you can imagine after winning that one. Hugs and high fives and big smiles were everywhere. Leaving the rink there was a crowd of young kids there to meet the players and high five them after the win.

But you can't celebrate too much yet. There is still another game to be played vs. Slovakia. Canada has a chance now to finish in second place if they defeat Slovakia.