The Swiss (?!) open the scoring about halfway through the first. Svechnikov and Kostin have been showing off their power moves but no results for them yet. Kostin puts a rebound top shelf to tie the game at 1 on the PP. A bad giveaway by Bitsadze leads to Switzerland's second goal, though Bitsadze played well outside of this gaffe. #15 on Switzerland, Justin Sigrist, had both goals. End of the first, 2-1 Switzerland even though Russia controlled most of the play. Dedov looked out of his element for most of the game tonight and I'm wondering why he is on the first pair and on the first PP.
Onto the second period, and Russia seems determined to make some offense. Marushev almost scored on a wraparound, and the Lipanov/Svechnikov show was on as well. Kostin took a diving penalty while he bulled his way to the net on a power play entry but the trip was called as well. It seemed like more of a even-out call than a total flop from my angle, but Kostin is definitely too big and strong to go down that easy. Russia then scored on the PP, pretty unremarkable goal. Later, after a really bad icing by a Russian d-man, the Swiss scored off of a faceoff play to make it 3-2. Then Svechnikov put in a rebound with Lipanov's help to tie the game back up. Then, kind of out of nowhere, the Swiss spent about a minute in Russia's zone and were able to convert a goal at the end of their possession. Shortly after that, Kostin went off in severe pain, but I don't think he missed a shift. It's s till a little concerning, as in all 3 games of his that I've watched, he's gone off in each one. Regardless, 4-3 Switzerland after two.
Right at the start of the 3rd period, Baranov (who I thought played a very, very strong game) stood up a Swiss player who was breaking out of the Swiss end, and Lipanov went back on a partial break. He tried to pass it over to Kostin for a tap in but it went in off of the Swiss defender. 4-4. Svechnikov really started playing exciting in the 3rd, and he made a few end to end rushes, always with a power move to the front of the net at the end. He wasn't successful on any of them tonight, but he must have inspired Chekhovich, who dangled a few guys in the neutral zone, then let go a shot that Svechnikov tapped in after it bounced off of the end boards for the 5-4 Russia lead. The Swiss did manage to tie it off of a rush later in the period. Kostin tried to throw a big hit on the puck carrier on the end boards but he missed him and then the puck went in. It was 5-5 at the end of regulation.
OT looked like it would solve nothing, but after Switzerland's only chance of the OT period on a 3 on 2 rush, Baranov made a desperation clear/pass that ended up springing Chekhovich on a breakaway with only 3 seconds left. He went forehand-to-backhand-to-top-shelf to win the game.
Switzerland definitely did a lot better than I expected tonight. They played a very structured defensive zone game and even though they lost on the shot clock handily, they didn't let Russia into the high-danger areas very often. Most of their goals were scored off of sloppiness by the Russian players in their own end. They always seemed a step slower and a foot smaller than the Russian players but they stood their ground very well and made the most of their opportunities.
I expected Russia to dominate a little more, but a win is a win I suppose. They could have been a little tired due to the back-to-back. I've heard rumors that this tournament is a sort-of tryout for Kostin to make the u20 team and based on what I've seen through 3 games I'd much rather take Lipanov, Chekhovich, or Svechnikov over him. They don't dominate physically like he does but they seem a lot better at creating offense consistently. Lipanov in particular has surprised me, I don't know how he only has 2 points in 9 MHL games but he should have way more. He reminds me of a Backlund-type center, always in the right place, always makes the smart play.
It was a pretty good game, now let's see what Canada East and USA have to show.
