Congratulations to Canada! As I mentioned before the game, this game came down to goaltending, and while in many ways it looked like the Russian skaters were better than the Canadians for most of the game, they were sabotaged by their weakness in goal in the third period. Miftakov is a backup who was pressed into service after Askarov's total meltdown against the Czechs, did okay in the first match against Canada (although he wasn't tested), then melted himself with 2 monkey-wheel circus goals given to the Americans. Wait, its not over yet. Then Askarov has another meltdown,and is pulled in favor of...guess who? Miftakov played okay for the first two periods, before melting down in the 3rd. The second Canadian goal was just bad luck, blocked by a defender, caroms off both legs of the Canadian forward, past Miftakov. The tying goal was partially Romanov's fault for not taking away the shooter's angle, but it was a wrist shot from outside that should have been saved. Then the winning goal, which technically wasn't even a shot. He just laid down on his back and watched the game go away!
Overall, it was an exciting game, but with a team with the talent that he had, fans have to wonder how long the RHF can justify keeping Bragin. Its time to move on. The U18 coach, Filatov, should be behind the bench next year. He has some radical defensive concepts for Russian hockey, and the U18 and below teams are accomplishing things they never have before. How could Bragin have not defended a 3-1 lead late in the second period?
they still would have actually had to score by the way.
