Lubricated ending: Russia with the smallest margin lost to Canada in the Hockey World Championship final in hockey

Ninth finals of Canada and Russia

The new year began for Russian hockey more than successfully, because the youth team of Russia for the first time in four years made it to the finals of the World Cup. But only a victory in a decisive confrontation over the Canadians could give a real holiday to the fans, especially since the youth have not won the MFM since 2011. And then in the final wards Valery Bragin were just stronger than Canadians.

Since then, the Russians fought three times for the gold of the championship of the planet, but each time something was missing. For example, in 2015 in Toronto they lost to the same Canadians - 4: 5. Five years later, the principal rivals again had to meet in the final - for the ninth time.

At the same time, the paths of the teams already crossed in the current tournament, and fans will remember this group stage match for a long time. The Russian team literally declassified the North American squad, scoring six unanswered goals at the opponent’s goal. For Maple Leaves, this was the largest lesion in the MFM.

It is not surprising that after this they were eager to take revenge, especially since in the history of the confrontation between the two teams at the youth championship of the planet, it was never such that one beat the second twice in one tournament.

The current match made several points especially important at once. Firstly, after the first meeting during the performance of the anthem of Russia, the captain of the rival Barett Hayton did not take his helmet off his head, which caused anger in Bragin's wards. He was later forced to publicly apologize. However, in the semifinals with the Finns, the hockey player was injured, and his participation in the final match was a big question.

Plus, in that game between Canada and Russia, the main talent in the composition of Maple Leaves by Alexi Lafrenier suffered damage. But he still returned to the playoffs and scored four points in matches with Slovakia and Finland.

As a result, Hayton still went on the ice, despite the injury. However, big questions arose regarding his state of health and his readiness to give all the best in a decisive match.

The Russian team, fortunately, managed without losses, and all the strongest were able to go on the ice. As for the goalkeeper position, the place at the last frontier was rather expectedly taken by Amir Miftakhov. Missing four goals from the Swedes and subsequently replaced Yaroslav Askarov remained in reserve.

Removing Canadians and Miftahov's seven saves

The final match of the team began without buildup and immediately began to exchange dangerous attacks, flying through the central zone with virtually no hitches. Almost the first throw the score could be opened by Liam Foody, but the puck hit the post with an uncomfortable hand.

Russia did not have such obvious moments, but Joel Hofer was not left without work either. In general, in the first period he reflected ten shots, while Miftakhov - only seven.

Canadians not only threw fewer Russians, but also more often retired. In the first 20 minutes, they earned four small disciplinary fines with one from the opponent. However, Bragin's wards failed to realize the majority. “Maple Leaves” competently acted in defense and courageously threw themselves under the puck.

As for the domestic hockey players, in a responsible meeting they did not allow unnecessary fouls and extra deletions, and also did not react to the opponent’s provocations. But really dangerous throws were not enough.

Goal and puck of captain Denisenko

The second period, the team began significantly calmer. It was felt that no one wants to take too much risk at such a crucial moment. True, Canadians quickly earned a majority, but failed to realize it.

The Russians responded with several high-speed solo passages that almost brought the opponent problems. There was fairly dense hockey with a lot of martial arts on ice. And the goalkeepers were the best on the court.

But in the middle of the match, the score was finally open. Russia has earned the next majority and still realized it. After throwing Yegor Zamula from the blue line, Nikita Alexandrov on the nickle closed the goalkeeper's review and tweaked the puck on target. True, the judges went to watch the replay on the subject of the game with a high club, but in the end they counted the goal.

Unfortunately, the advantage of the domestic team did not last long. Canadians with the whole team rushed forward and earned a double majority. It took them only 23 seconds to realize it. Dylan Cozens from a short distance ferried the puck on target after the transfer of Lafrenier.

It seemed that after such an initiative it could go to the Canadians, but the Russians unexpectedly quickly moved forward again. This time, Hofer, who played an almost perfect game, repelled the puck in front of him after the throw of Alexander Romanov, and Grigory Denisenko threw it into the net from a nickle.

In the time remaining before the break, “Maple Leaves” tried their best to even the score, but the Russians kept above all praise, and Miftakhov made a save for the save. True, already with a siren, Zamula for some reason bought into a provocation and hit Hayton in the face. Canadians got the opportunity to begin the final period in the majority.

Great start and terrible end

However, they could not realize it. Moreover, the North Americans seemed to have abruptly run out of energy. The Russians quite calmly controlled the shell and soon threw a third puck. Ilya Sorkin received a shell from Ilya Kruglov and sent it exactly to the far nine. It seemed that after this the Canadians would no longer win back, and Bragin's wards, finally, would raise the trophy over their heads.

Alas, “Maple Leaves”, as in the second period, was lucky to quickly score a return goal, and it turned out to be extremely controversial. Connor McMichael, after scribbling a partner, played with a hockey stick, but the judges, after watching the replay, decided that everything was according to the rules.

The missed puck instantly added unnecessary nervousness to the actions of the Russians and gave confidence to the Canadians, who went ahead with the whole team. And just two minutes later they distinguished themselves again. This time, Bragin's team received an unnecessary deletion, and the opponent realized the majority ten seconds later thanks to Hayton's exact throw.

And four minutes before the end, the Russian team missed the fourth goal. The defender allowed Ekil Thomas to throw the puck on his own move, but Miftakhov did not play very well at the exit. So the shell was in the grid.

The Russians had plenty of time to escape, and three minutes before the end the coaching staff removed Miftakhov from the game. In addition, the Canadians earned the removal. Alas, they failed to realize it, and then Pavel Dorofeev and Grigory Denisenko went to the penalty box.

With the final siren, Canadians distraught with happiness ran out to the ice in full force. They performed a real miracle and turned the course of a seemingly lost match. The Russians, however, only dumbly rolled towards the bench. The victory was in their hands, but they missed it and failed to win the trophy.