The Washington Capitals’ top prospect goaltender is rolling into the semi-finals of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.
19-year-old goaltender Ilya Samsonov posted his second straight shutout, making 14 saves in Russia’s 4-0 quarter-finals win over Denmark, Monday.
Samsonov had an easy time in goal, stopping mostly harmless shots from the perimeter. Russia scored two goals in the first period — including one from center ice — to defeat Denmark and advance to the semi-finals in Montreal on Wednesday against the United States.
Game highlights
Samsonov has made 30 straight saves, including 16 stops in Russia’s final preliminary game against Slovakia on Saturday. In Samsonov’s five appearances in the WJC, he’s posted a .923 save percentage (at all strengths) and has a 2.00 goals against average. Samosonov has stopped 95 of the 103 shots that have come his way.
Meanwhile, TSN’s Craig Button named Caps defensive prospect Jonas Siegenthaler one of his six all-star players during preliminary play.
VIDEO: @CraigJButton with his early #WorldJuniors all-stars including 🇨🇦's Thomas Chabot https://t.co/SeD1EZaE1Q pic.twitter.com/vr9RChqLOJ
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 2, 2017
