International Ice Hockey Federation

Kayumov rescues Russia

Kayumov rescues Russia

Resilient Swiss fall, 5-2, but only after late goals

Published 15.08.2018 01:05 GMT-4 | Author Andrew Podnieks
Kayumov rescues Russia
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 28: Russia's Klim Kostin #24 celebrates a goal against Switzerland's Philip Wuthrich #30 during the preliminary round of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Andrea Cardin/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Arthur Kayumov scored midway through the third period to break a 2-2 tie and send Russia to victory against the Swiss this afternoon at HarborCenter.

Kayumov took a nice pass from Klim Kostin and snapped a shot over the glove of Philip Wuthrich to beat a stubborn Swiss team that twice rallied to even the score. Two late goals sealed the Swiss fate, but it was a good game for both teams.

Nonetheless, after outshooting Switzerland by a 37-13 margin, the Russians were full meaure for the win. They had lost to the Czechs 5-4 on opening day but played a determined game today.

The Swiss, winners in their debut yesterday, fell to 1-1 with the loss.

"We played more of a team game and made some adjustments," Kayumov said. "The score was tied in the third period, I think, because of our own mistakes. We gave them good chances, and they scored. But we played better today than in the first game."

"We played better defensively and created more offensively," agreed forward Vitali Abramov. "They played a good game, and their goalie played really well today."

"We were playing a good game, and then we made a stupid mistake, and they scored the third goal," offered Justin Sigrist of Switzerland. "Our defence was nearly perfect and so was our goaltending, but when you score only two goals against Russia, you won't win very often."

Although the Russians dominated the opening period they managed only one goal, on the power play. Vladislav Syomin drifted a low shot that bounced through traffic and past a screened Philip Wuthrich at 10:21. 

Despite two power plays in the opening 20 minutes, the Swiss could muster few decent shots on Vladislav Sukhachyov.

The Swiss tied the game off the opening faceoff to start the second. Philipp Kurashev fed a nice pass to Marco Miranda streaking over the blue line, and Miranda ripped a nice shot under the glove of Sukhachyov just nine seconds in.

The rest of the period belonged to Russia, however, and the Swiss managed but two more shots in the middle 20 minutes. Nevertheless, the Swiss defence proved resilient, killing off a two-man disadvantage for 52 seconds. 

The Russians got a much-deserved second goal at 18:16 when Kostin swiped home a rebound from the top of the crease.

But the Swiss weren't done just yet. They tied the game just 2:10 into the third on a nice second effort from Ken Jager. The right-handed shot drove down the left wing and cut in on goal, jamming his own rebound in to make it a 2-2 game. 

Russia got a late goal at 18:18 on an odd-man rush and another 13 seconds later into the empty net to close out the scoring.

Russia plays again tomorrow afternoon against Belarus while the Swiss have a day of rest before facing Sweden on Saturday.

 

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