Potentially “golden” team of Russia was slower on ice than both North American teams.  

The 1^st period: From the first moments of the period Finland took the initiative. Antti Pihlstrom hits Vasilevsky, but here is one more attack, and the puck whizzed from Gusev beside the head of Korpisalo, but not into the goal net. Russia activates – Belov from the blue line, then Panarin from the tough angle. Gusev!!! 1:0! Andronov-Nichushkin-Gusev have played the combination, Andronov closed the view for the Finnish goalkeeper. Finland became upset for a little, could one scored goal manage to break team spirit? Russia has a chance – Panarin from the alien side corner gives the pass to the center, Barabanov hits the puck…Korpisalo stops. The game goes rather quiet. Jani Lajunen stopped Namestnikov and Russia gets the powerplay. The most of powerplay time Russia played without much success – twice getting back to their zone. The 1^st period was finished without any super dangerous moments.

The 2nd period woke up everybody: penalty to Kucherov for roughing against Honka. Aho makes a dangerous shoot. We hold the fort! Zub assists Nichushin and Tkachev 2 against 1, hit for the long distance upright and 2:0!!! Finland having a powerplay! The Finns are astonished! They left some space for opponents to play in the attack zone of Russia.  Finally – 2 minute penalty - Veli-Matti Savinainen for tripping Andronov. And the Suomis lost their passion for the game, Russia made perfect assists: Panarin to Gusev, Korpisalo falls, the puck is in the net.  3:0!!!! It’s today’s goal #2 for Nikita Gusev! 7-1 shots on target. And just after one more minute it’s 4:0!!!! It’s a party on ice! Assisting moves along the right boarder, Nichushkin assists to Namestnikov, Namestnikov to Kiselevich. And he scored a goal! The change of goalkeeper in Finland –to Harri Sateri.  And again penalty to the Finns, Pyorala for high-sticking Barabanov.   Kucherov finished the combination, but the Finns are lucky. The game continues in the equal team quantities. Finland attacks as much as they can. 2-minute penalty for Russia. Mironov attacks Aho and breaks the rules. The Finns attack in powerplay. We are keeping strong! Russians have 2 moments. Beautiful, but not well-placed. The final minutes of the period were unfortunate - Rantanen - 4:1. Light assist to upright, Vasilevsky can’t help his team, the second period is over.

The 3rd period was opened with Russian shooting against the Finnish goal. Sateri is goalproof twice. An just after that - 4:2. Vasilevsky doesn’t manage to hold a wrist shot of Lehtonen. Do not give up! Gusev hit the face of Pyorala – high-sticking, penalty.  The Finns have powerplay – unbelievable, but 4:3. Savinainen. Quick three-man assisting play and they were a success. Now the suspense returned to the game, which is not so good. 2 hits by the Finns turned out to be 2 goals. Shocking statistics. Znarok takes a time-out. Fans get crazy! The 48^th minute - goal from Kucherov! 5:3!! Relax! Important goal now scored. The rest of the time continued in fierce battle. Many events took place during the final minutes of this period: penalty to Savinainen and pulling the Finnish goalie, and even injury of Belov.  Shots on target by the end of the game are 30-29 for Russia. The Bronze Medal won thanks to the 2^nd period’s goals!!! The Russian team managed to make everybody tense and nervous out of the blue, but everything finished the best way. The statuette for the 3rd place in the tournament was rewarded to Sergei Andronov instead of injured Belov. The Game was held in a battle-like manner, we congratulate all fans and remind that the official sponsor of the tournament is private brand of Shate-M Plus company – trading mark Patron.

Patron – winning together!