International Ice Hockey Federation

Russia still undefeated

Russia still undefeated

Czechs fall 5-2 in final game before playoffs

Published 23.04.2013 22:10 GMT+4 | Author Alexander Yakobson
Russia still undefeated
SOCHI, RUSSIA - APRIL 23: Russia's Sergei Tolchinski #10 celebrates after a second period goal against the Czech Republic during preliminary round action at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Francois Laplante/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Russia heads to the quarter-final as the top seed in Group A and one of only two teams yet to lose at the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship, defeating the Czech Republic 5-2.

Russian head coach Igor Kravchuk again made changes in the roster compared with the game against Latvia. Igor Shestyorkin returned to the net and Buchnevich returned to the first line with captain Valeri Nichushkin.

Down 3-1 in the third, The Czechs crept within a goal when on the penalty kill Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak gained posession at center ice and went for the Russian net on a two-on-one. Zacha drew the defender off and passed the puck to Pastrnak, who beat goalie Igor Shestyorkin with a forehand deke.

But a mistake by Czech forward Rob Lubos as he attempted to clear the puck in front of his net resulted in a turnover and goal by Russian scoring leader Vladimir Tkachyov putting Russia back up by two goals.

Another goal with 4:13 left in the period, scored by Nikita Shatski, closed out the win for the Russians, who are in the hunt for their first gold medal since 2007. 

Russia broke out for three straight goals in the second period. Pavel Buchnevich broke the ice 1:04 into the frame, with an assist from Tkachyov. Four minutes later Buchnevich got his second point of the game, assisting on a goal from Nikolai Demidov.

Midway through the second period on a Czech power play, Sergei Tolchinski stole the puck at center ice and beat Czech goaltender Jindrich Pacl short-handed. Jakub Vrana cut the lead to two late in the frame, after a mistake by the Russian defence behind the net resulted in a giveaway and a goal for the Czech forward.

But Russia, backed by another capacity crowd at the Bolshoy arena, closed out the final period with three goals to wrap up what has been a very positive opening round for the host nation. 

Russia finishes the preliminary round with a perfect 4-0 record, and will play Germany in the quarter finals. The Czech Republic will face Canada, the top seed from Group A.

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