Photo: IIHF
Team Russia destroyed the United States’ National Team 7-2 in Moscow Sunday. Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dmitry Orlov will leave the 2016 World Championiship with bronze medals.
In June, Finland’s Patrik Laine will likely be one of the top two selections at the 2016 NHL Draft. On Saturday, the 18-year-old forward helped lead Finland to a 3-1 victory over both Russia and his hockey idol growing up, Alex Ovechkin. Finland will play in the gold medal game tomorrow while the Russians will go for Bronze.
After the game, the top-ranked European-born prospect geeked out about playing against his hockey hero.
By Ian Oland 7 years ago
Of the three Russian Capitals at World Championships, Dmitry Orlov is certainly the least well known. Evgeny Kuznetsov was a media magnet during his brief KHL career and is on his way to becoming a household name here in the states. Alex Ovechkin’s is one of the most recognized faces among athletes on both sides of the Atlantic. Orlov is not on the same level yet.
But even considering Dima’s relative obscure celebrity status in comparison to his teammates, you would think that a reporter for the largest TV network in Russia, working at a top-level international hockey tournament, would be capable of identifying Orlov, who is, after all, one of only three defensemen already named to Team Russia’s roster for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.
You would think so, but you would be wrong.
By Igor Kleyner 7 years ago
Photo: Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images
Thursday in Moscow, Team Russia fell behind early in the first period to Germany 1-0. But when the Russians came out for the second period, they unleashed what the IIHF described as an “unrelenting onslaught.” Russia put on 37 shots on goal, scored three times in the second stanza, and defeated Germany 4-1.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal in four World Championship games, beating Islanders’ goaltender Thomas Greiss through the pads.
Over the weekend, Andre Burakovsky took his World Championship bio picture for Team Sweden and it’s… definitely something we need to talk about.
The Russian National Team remained undefeated Tuesday with the Caps trioka — Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dmitry Orlov — on the roster. Russia beat Team Sweden 4-1 to finish second in Group A.
But the victory didn’t come without a scare – especially for Caps fans. In the second period, Evgeny Kuznetsov absorbed a dangerous hit from Swedish center Mikael Backlund as he skated into the offensive zone. Kuznetsov, who did not have the puck, was hit the head and shoulder by Backlund. Kuznetsov, woozy, needed help to get off the ice, but returned several minutes later after applying ice on the bench.
Team Russia head coach Oleg Znarok commented briefly on the play in his post-game press conference.
Photos: Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images
The Caps trioka is now 2-0 in two World Championship play.
Monday at Moscow’s Ice Palace, the Russian National Team defeated Norway 3-0. Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov had two assists. Dima received the primary assist on Ivan Telegin’s second period goal and tallied a secondary on Roman Lyubimov’s third period goal.
Photo: Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images
According to Sport Express, Alex Ovechkin accomplished a bit of history on Saturday. When the Great Eight assisted on Evgeny Kuznetsov’s magical, mid-air deflection goal, he tallied his 60th World Championship point. That puts him third all-time among all Russian national team players.
In 68 games, Ovechkin has scored the second-most goals (32) and the fourth-most assists (28) assists.
Photo: Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images
Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dmitry Orlov weren’t the only Capitals named to a World Championship team. Forward Andre Burakovsky was also tabbed by Team Sweden and played the hero in his very first game.
On Sunday, the Burracuda scored twice in the shootout, including the game-winning shootout tally, to down Switzerland 3-2.
Photo. FHR.ru
If you count the Capitals’ regular season and playoff games, Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s World Championships goal Saturday was his second tally in 32 games. And it was another jaw-dropping example of Kuznetsov’s magical hand-eye coordination. As Kuznetsov flew by a Swiss defenseman, he put a shot on goal before whacking the rebound into the net out of mid air.
The Russian Hockey Federation managed to snap the brilliant above photo, which shows Kuznetsov getting the blade of his stick on the puck from behind the net.
