Two missed goals in six seconds, Miftakhov’s mistakes and weak majority implementation: how Russia lost to the USA at the MFM

Great mood after Canada and the difficult situation in the group

The devastating victory of the Russian team over Canada was a real revelation. The domestic team unsuccessfully started the youth world championship - lost to the Czech Republic and, it seemed, it would be very difficult for it with Maple Leaves. But the wards of Valery Bragin held an exemplary match, acted tactically competently and scored six unanswered goals into the opponent’s goal.

And the very next day, Russia had to meet with another North American team - the US team. It is curious that it was the “star-striped" domestic hockey players lost in the semifinals of last year's MFM - 1: 2. Now they intended to take revenge.

However, the main task was not revenge, but to improve their position in group B. After two rounds, all five teams scored three points each. Thus, the match between Russia and the United States in many ways turned into a key one in the fight for first place. And if Bragin’s wards first lost to the Czech Republic, and then defeated Canada, then the Americans lost to “Maple Leaves” and did not leave Germany a chance. Meanwhile, the assistant head coach of the Russian national team Igor Larionov spoke about the opponent exclusively with respect.

“The USA has a very strong team. I know them quite well; I have seen them in business many times. The American center of the national training system is located near Detroit, I was pleased to watch the growth of these players from day one. This is a mobile team that moves the puck well, plays actively in attack and defense. The hardest match is coming, he can decide the fate of the first place in the group, ”the“ Championship ”coach quotes.

In turn, the American mentor Scott Sandelin answered the question whether he is afraid that one of his leaders will be injured in the upcoming match, because in games with the Russian squad leaders of the Czechs (Yakub Lauko) and Canadians (have already suffered serious damage) Alexis Lafrenier).

“One must be prepared for any style of hockey from the opponent. We know that they can play like that. This is a very talented team, you need to be prepared for everything. Canada played tough with us, too, but our guys coped with pressure. Whatever hockey Russia offers, we will need to adapt and confront the opponent, ”said Sandelin.

As for the starting lineup of the Russian national team, there were no surprises and all those who won the victory over Canada went on the ice. Amir Miftakhov, who made 28 saves in the match with Maple Leaves, was again expected to be at the last frontier.

Equal period and harsh power tricks of the Russians

Both teams started the match rather slowly. It was noticeable that the rivals were afraid of each other and did not seek to risk too much, especially in the first period.

True, the Americans in the second minute organized a dangerous two-in-one attack, but failed to realize it. However, in this episode, a violation of the rules was committed by Alexander Khovanov, and the Russians remained in the minority. "Star-striped" could not use the majority.

And just a few minutes later Arthur Kaliev earned a double small penalty for an opponent’s blow. Wards Bragin got a great opportunity to open an account, but Spencer Knight acted above all praise on the last line of the opponent.

In the future, the initiative passed to the Americans, and the Russians decided to cool the ardor of the opponent with the help of a branded hard game. At first, Alexander Romanov held such a force against John Beecher that he hardly left the site. Then Nikita Alexandrov literally typed on board the opponent.

If their actions were pure, then Daniel Misyul clearly overdid it. He held a power reception against the top scorer of the US national team Shane Pinto in the central zone, when he did not own the puck, and received "2 + 10" for an attack on the head and neck.

Three rods and the unfortunate ending

The second period initially developed according to the scenario of the first. Both teams were also not particularly keen to take risks and created the main points when playing in unequal compositions. For example, Khovanov at the very beginning of the 20-minute throw with a powerful throw from the right throw-in circle shook the nearest post.

The Americans responded with a click into the rack performed by Oliver Walström. Finally, Maxim Sorkin, in the minority from the slaughter position, also almost broke the bar, almost opening an account.

Alas, luck this time smiled at the rivals of the Russians. At the end of the period, the Americans realized the game in the majority. Kaliev with a powerful throw from the right throw-in circle sent the puck right over Miftakhov’s “pancake”.

Six seconds later, the "star-striped" distinguished themselves again. After a throw-in in the center of the court, the Americans intercepted the puck, and Nick Robertson threw it without hope of implementation, but the reliable Miftakhov missed the puck over the flap.

The situation of the Russians quickly became, if not hopeless, then very difficult. Now Bragin's team was in the position of acting out and she had to make a comeback. However, Russia had 20 minutes ahead.

Replacing goalkeeper and goal-hope Romanov

However, at the start of the third period, the domestic team managed to skip again, and again Miftakhov made a grave mistake. After throwing the same Kaliev, he seemed to catch the puck, but released it from the trap, and the shell treacherously crawled into the net. After that, the coaching staff of the national team decided not to risk the psyche of the goalkeeper and released 17-year-old Yaroslav Askarov instead.

Fortunately, Russia instantly managed to return to the game. Romanov throw from a medium distance, finally, “asked” Knight. Until the end of normal time there were still 17 minutes, and Bragin's wards felt that the game could be saved.

They emotion attacked and began to shoot at the opponent’s goal. But again save after save made Knight. And in general, the Americans held on and did not crumble under the pressure of the opponent. Moreover, in the middle of the period, Sokolov earned an extremely unnecessary removal.

The opponent did not realize it, and did not try hard. Moreover, in the minority, Aleksandrov fled to the gates of others, but failed to beat Knight. Immediately, Russia earned a majority, and this was the decisive segment of the match.

If Bragin's wards had been killed, and everything would have been in their hands, because a lot of time remained until the end. However, the "star-striped" courageously defended, sometimes literally lying under the puck.

In the end, the coaching staff of the Russian national team threw the sixth field player into the battle, removing Askarov from the game, but it did not bring much benefit. The removal of two hockey players in the US team for 57 seconds before the end did not save either. The Russians in this episode earned two minutes Dmitry Voronkov. Alas, it was not possible to abandon, and the final siren put an end to the efforts of the Russians.

Unfortunately, after a perfect match with Canada, the domestic team did not have neither the strength nor the emotions to play with the United States. At the same time, the match turned out to be on the whole equal, but the unfortunate segment at the end of the second period, when Russia missed twice in six seconds, became decisive.

Now the position of the Bragin team in the standings of group B has deteriorated sharply. After three matches, the team has just three points. And she has no other choice but to beat Germany on December 31 in the last group stage match. Otherwise, Russia may completely remain on the last line and for the first time in the history of the MFM not get into the playoffs.