World Cup of Hockey Sept 19 Recap – TEAM RUSSIA SURVIVES FURIOUS RALLY BY TEAM NORTH AMERICA
Team Russia scored four consecutive goals in the second period and held off a furious rally by Team North America – highlighted by 43 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky – to pick up its first victory of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 and narrow the gap in a crowded Group B.
Bobrovsky, who is making his sixth international appearance, has won four medals in his five prior such outings with Team Russia: gold at the 2014 World Championship, silver at the 2015 World Championship, and bronze at both the 2008 World Juniors and 2016 World Championship.
Bobrovsky also was named the best goaltender at the 2014 World Championship after leading the tournament with a 1.13 goals-against average, .950 save percentage and two shutouts en route to capturing the gold medal (8 GP).
Team Russia scored all four of its goals in a 6:14 span of the second period, capped by Vladimir Tarasenko’s spinning shot that stood as the winner. Tarasenko ranked fourth in the NHL with 40 goals in 2015-16.
DRAISAITL LIFTS TEAM EUROPE INTO FIRST PLACE IN GROUP A
Team Czech Republic tied the game midway through the third period, but Leon Draisaitl scored at 2:06 of overtime to lift Team Europe to a 2-0-0 record and first place in Group A.
Team Czech Republic goaltender Petr Mrazek (38 SV) stopped Team Europe captain Anze Kopitar on the third penalty shot taken in World Cup of Hockey history.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Team Europe 3, TEAM CZECH REPUBLIC 2 (OT)
Team Russia 4, TEAM NORTH AMERICA 3
SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Team Finland @ Team Sweden, 3 p.m.
Team Canada @ Team USA, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS
- Team Canada will clinch a spot in the semifinals if it defeats Team USA in any fashion.
- Team USA will be eliminated from semifinal contention if it loses to Team Canada in any fashion.
- Team Europe (idle) will clinch a spot in the semifinals if Team USA fails to defeat Team Canada in regulation.
- Team Czech Republic (idle) will be eliminated from semifinal contention if Team USA fails to defeat Team Canada in regulation.
- No team from Group B can clinch a spot in the semifinals regardless of the outcome of the Team Finland-Team Sweden game.
World Cup of Hockey Standings, September 19, 2016
| Group A | GP | W | L | OT | P | RW | ROW | GF | GA | Diff | S/O |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Team Europe | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 0 |
| 2Team Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 0 |
| 3Team Czech Republic | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
| 4Team USA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | L | OT | P | RW | ROW | GF | GA | Diff | S/O |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Team Sweden | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 0 |
| 2Team North America | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 0 |
| 3Team Russia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | E | 0 |
| 4Team Finland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |