For the 2nd time in 48 hours team BCHL representing Canada took on the team of the Russian Junior Selects in the Region Centre Cup tournament opener. This time around it was a closer game seeing Canada fall by a score of 6-2.
Click to here to listen to Head Coach Tim Kehler's post game comments.
Canada came out playing a disciplined and structured style. Kris Moore got the start in between the pipes and set the tone for the rest of the game as he made a number of big saves including a spectacular diving glove save four minutes into the game.
The Red Stars broke through in the second half of the period with goals on the powerplay by Nikolai Lukyanchikov, at even strength by Albert Konozov and shorthanded by Nikita Trochicki in a span of 4:15 to open a 3-0 lead.
A pair of Salmon Arm Silverbacks teamed up in the second period to get Canada on the board as David Killip was set up by Josh Manson at 4:22. Just 1:42 later Canada pulled within one as both Malcom Mckinney and Jarryd Ten Van Holt were poking away and it was Ten Van Holt who was finally able to jam the puck under the Russian goaltender at 6:04.
The momentum shortly after the goal by Ten Vaan Holt had a chance to turn back to the Russians as Justin Fillion was called for slashing just 2:10 later giving Russia a powerplay. Canada survived the disadvantage keeping the Russian lead at just one.
However they were able to take a 4-2 lead to the second intermisson when Evgeni Mons scored at 17:49.
Russia did add a pair of goals in the third period to conclude the scoring.
Nikita Trochicki lead the Russian attack with a pair of goals.
It was a game that had some chippiness to it. Austin Carroll of the Coquitlam Express did get involved in a skirmish after linemate Malcom Mckinney was pushed to the end boards and was shaken up for the moment.
Click to here to listen to Austin Carroll's post game comments.
Things got a little more emotional at 9:12 of the third period with the teams skating 4 aside and tempers started to flare in the Canadian zone and everyone was paired off. Canada did stand tall to some of the shots sent their way by the Russians.
Click to here to listen to Devin Gannon's post game comments.
What was interesting to watch after everything settled down was to see every kid in the building make their way down to the Canadian penalty box and taunt the players.
There was a large contingent of kids in the building making up the 1500 in attendance which made for quite an energy inside the 8000 seat facility despite it being less than a quarter full.
Like the exhibition game on Wednesday, plenty of rubber was sent the way of the Canadian net. Kris Moore had a very strong game keeping the score more respectable than in the exhibition game.
Canada plays their second game of the tournament tomorrow vs. a Russian National Junior Team at 5:30 am Pacific time.
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