It was quite an eye opening experience for the boys representing Canada. They lost their exhibition game to the Russian Junior Select Red Stars team by a score of 9-2.
The Russian team put on a pretty fine display of skill, speed and puck possession.
Click to here to listen to Head Coach Tim Kehler's post game comments.
Kris Moore of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks got the start in goal and he continued his strong play from the playoffs in the opening period. He only allowed one goal as the Russian Junior Selects sent plenty of pucks his way.
Click to here to listen to Kris Moore's post game comments.
The Russian Junior Selects had a little more luck in the second period. Putting a pair of pucks past Moore to extend their lead to 3-0 before Moore stepped aside allowing Khaleed Devji to play the second half of the game which was the plan heading into the game.
The Express netminder allowed a goal two minutes after entering the game.
Captain David Killip of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks got the True North Strong and free on the board when he was on the receiving end of a nice pass from Coquitlam's Jake Charles.
Click to here to listen to David Killip's post game comments.
The RJS beat Devji three more times before the period was done with two of them being goals and another hitting the post.
It was 6-1 for the Russian Junior Selects after two periods.
The Russian Junior Selects have an older and bigger team than the one representing the BCHL. First of all, players were available to be selected from a Under 22 junior league. So they had 5 89's and 8 90's on their roster. Team Canada has 5 90's on the team.
It was a 7-1 game in the third period when another member of the Express was able to find the net as Malcom Mckinney scored from in front. Mckinney and the rest of his linemates from Coquitlam Jake Charles and Austin Carroll had a pretty solid game despite the lopsided score.
Brayden Jaw of the Nanaimo Clippers was also noticeable especially in the first two periods being a physical force whenever he could.
The home team added two more goals in the third period to round out the scoring.
They had a chance in the final 90 seconds to hit double digits when they were awarded a penalty shot. It was then the Russians got real cocky and looked to rub it in. Number 32 took the penalty shot. (The roster sheet provided only had the players names in Russian) and he decided he was going to dangle with the puck with one hand on his stick and try and pull a fast one past Devji but it didn't work.
Despite allowing 9 goals, the penalty killing had a pretty strong night for the Canadians. They killed off the first four Russian powerplays before finally surrendering a powerplay goal which had little impact on the outcome as it was the 9th goal of the game for the Russian Junior Selects
The same two teams will do it all again Friday night here in Russia when the tournament gets underway for real.
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