Russia's Late Effort Wins Them Gold

As an American, I have two favorite teams: Team USA, and anyone who beats Canada. So even if I did not already have a mild obsession with Russia, I would be a Team Russia fan today. The young team played the come-back game of their lives, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to score 5 unanswered goals in the third period. They beat the stunned Canadians with a final score of 5-3. (Just a side note: The pre-game broadcast reminded me of the 2010 Olympics, not because it was a Gold Medal game, but because everything was so Canadian, especially the crowd. Making their 7th championship game debut in the past 7 years, Team Canada wore the home jerseys, decked out in red.)

Three players watch in the game: Cody Eakin #25, Canada, Evgeni Kuznetsov #25, Russia and Dmitri Orlov #9, Russia. All are Washington Capitals draft picks. And my, oh my, what games they had.

Team Canada came crashing out of the gates to get it started early, much like they did on Monday, when they demolished the United States 4-1. The best power play unit in the tournament made short work of an early man advantage, resulting in a quick 1-0 lead. Capitals prospect Cody Eakin was all over Russian goalie Shikin in the first, but could not get anything past him. Russia applied pressure late in the period with a break away, however, Evgeni Kuznetsov had the puck poke-checked away from him by a diving defenseman. Dmitri Orlov, was incredibly involved in the offense, leading rushes and creating scoring opportunities, something that we have not often seen out of him. The game equaled in intensity and physicality. Forechecks were forcibly established, and goal celebrations rivaled those of some overtime victories. Canada scored with 47 seconds left in the first to go to intermission with a 2 goal lead.

It was a slow second period until 13:33, when Canada made the lead 3-0. A goalie change for Russia promptly followed and Igor Bobkov took over for Dmitri Shikin. The third goal seemed to electrify Canada. However, that electricity certainly faded away in the locker room. The third period belonged to Russia. In what was a display of effort and creativity, Russia scored twice three minutes into the third, only 11 seconds apart, putting themselves back into the game. Russia played like a team with nothing to lose. Their attitude helped them to be more creative with the puck, when they might have otherwise been more reserved. Spinning passes from the circles, shots from the point, and pressure in the slot all stemmed from Russia's creativity and played a part in each of the five goals.

Never surrender. That seemed to be the theme for Team Russia in all of their games. This was their ultimate come-back of the WJC tournament, despite each of the come-from-behind wins they accomplished as they made their way to the championship. It is Russia's first Gold since they defeated Canada in 2003, and the looks of incredulity and pure joy on the faces of the young Russians was definitely the heartwarming moment of the tournament.