RUSSIA 2 CANADA 1 (BRONZE MEDAL GAME)
MALMO, Sweden (CP) – Mikhail Grigorenko and Eduard Gimatov scored in the first period as Russia sent Canada home without a medal at the world junior championship for a second year in a row with a 2-1 victory in the bronze-medal game on Sunday.
Josh Morrissey made a mostly unemotional game interesting when he beat Andrei Vasilevski 7:10 into the third period, but Canada could not get the equalizer despite pulling goalie Zach Fucale in the final minute.
Canada, which lost to host Russia 6-5 in the bronze-medal game a year ago in Ufa, had not missed the medals in consecutive years since a three-year drought from 1979 to 1981.
Their hopes for a first gold medal in five years were dashed by a 5-1 loss to Finland in the semifinals on Saturday. The Russians were coming off a 2-1 semifinal defeat to host Sweden.
It was the second-youngest Canadian squad ever at the world juniors, and 11 players are eligible to return for the 2015 tournament in Montreal and Toronto.
For 48 minutes until Morrissey’s goal, it was perhaps one of the least intense Canada-Russia games ever, despite the clapping and chanting of the large Canadian contingent in the crowd of 10,714 at Malmo Arena.
Russia was on a power play when Grigorenko’s pass went in off Mathew Dumba’s skate 3:35 into the game. Gimatov got one on a rush at 14:38 when he used Morrissey as a screen and beat Fucale with a high shot.
Canada had chances in a scoreless second period, but Bo Horvat and Griffin Reinhart couldn’t connect with opens nets, Aaron Ekblad just missed a top corner and Anthony Mantha was stopped by Vasilevski on a rush down the right wing.
Canada came to life when Morrissey went to the net to deflect in Charles Hudon’s pass. Canadian fans stood and chanted “goal” while pointing to the centre ice dot as officials reviewed the play to see if Morrissey kicked it in.
Notes – Germany downed Norway 3-1 to win the best-of-three relegation series and will be back at the world juniors for a team-record third straight time next year in Montreal and Toronto. Norway is relegated. Denmark will move up next year.
The effort was there today but not the results. Some major changes are going to be needed in terms of our systems and style of play to fit the international game.
Hopefully we can move away from the monotonous dump and chase game that has been our undoing the last few years and play a more open game.
Canada had a young team out there and that means a lot of non experience in a tourney like this. Russia had 9 19 year old players. Canada will have 11 of these players returning next year and that will make a huge difference.
It wouldn't matter who was the coach, this is not a slam on Brent Sutter. Canada is over coached. In the minds of Canada's upper crust there is a certain thing to do in every situation and all parts of the ice. If there's only one thing to do it becomes predictable and thus easy to defend against. They've coached the creativity out of Canadian hockey players, it's too structured.
BB
I completely agree with BB. Our players do not develop skills because of formula used by Canadian coaches. This problem starts with the players at a very young age who are taught to dump and chase and to never take any chances offensively. Our hockey has become boring to watch. It's nice to see the skilled teams succeed at the world level.
Hockey Canada: Program of Sux-cellence
It's hockey…who cares
This is just a reflection of a couple weak draft years. Look at all the young talent they took because the skill level at 18 and 19 year olds just isn't there. Well be back stronger then ever next year.
The coaches may over coach but the fans over react.
Relax people. Either that, or "everybody crap your pants"!
Personally, I blame the Toronto Maple Leafs for not sending Rielly. I like to blame Toronto for everything.
Hey anon that hates hockey, piss off. There are a lot of us that happen to like both hockey and football or whatever your sport is. Rod happens to like both and this is his blog. If you don't like it, the close button is in the upper right corner. Use it.
Anon #8. Relax, take a pill. Opinions are like a–holes, everybody has one. That's what's great about "all sports", not just the big 2.
They should start by picking the best players. Cherry got it right last night when he said Hockey Canada is too political. Take the best players to the tournament and the results will follow.
Even tho Canada lost, it would have been nice to hear the game on the radio. Here's hoping a frequency around Regina picks it up next year. Not sure why 100 FM in Moose Jaw dumped the broadcasts.
Anyone ever heard of cycles? Happens in hockey, just like weather patterns. Too bad for the Canucks, great job by the Finns. Congrats to them.
Ive said it before and ill say it again… every country except Canada brings 4 lines of scorers, Canada thinks they only need 2 scoring lines and then 3 checking type lines, enough with the checking BS ina world class event this is a tournament built on to outscore your opponent not to hold him to a certain amount of goals and then hope you score 1 more then them… Cherry is bang on when he says bring the best players all the time & the results will follow. Hockey Canada is way to political and until they stop this… Read more »