Photo credit: ria.ru

Top-seeded Team Russia defeated Team Norway today with a score of 5-2 to advance to the semifinals of the World Championship being held in Stockholm. Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin joined their national team on the ice for the first time and had an immediate impact, with Ovechkin scoring the first goal of the night and Semin providing two assists.

Ovechkin broke a World Championships pointless streak stretching back through all five games of last year’s tournament, scoring nearly eight minutes into the game. His tally began with teammate Alex Semin going strong to the net with the puck, allowing the Russian superstar to collect a rebound behind Norwegian goalie Lars Haugen. Ovechkin then knocked the puck in when he attempted to center the puck.

Ovi, Semin, Kuznetsov, and the rest of Team Russia will play Finland in the semifinals, which will take place on Saturday.

Video of Ovechkin’s Goal

Photos

Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF

Photo credit: championat.com

Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF

Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF

Ovi celebrates his goal with Kuzya and the rest of Team Russia. (Photo credit: championat.com)

Ovi smiles with Team Captain Ilya Nikulin after the game. (Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF)

Hunter Hockey from AS28? (Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF)

Ovechkin shakes hands with Norwegian goalie Lars Volden. (Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF)

Ovechkin and Malkin stand during the national anthem after the game. (Photo credit: Andre Ringuette/IIHF)