Russia and America head for showdown in youth hockey championship
Published: 18 April, 2009, 19:24
Russia will play against hosts United States in the final of the Under 18 Ice Hockey World Championships after manhandling Finland 4-0 in the semi-finals.
The convincing win over the Finns was the Russians' revenge for the 7-4 defeat to their neighbors during the group stages of the tournament.
Russia was inspired to victory by Evgeny Kuznetsov's goal and three assists, as well as an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Igor Bobkov, who recorded a shutout despite the Finns out-shooting their opponents 51-45. In Russia’s last three games – wins over Finland, Sweden and the United States – Bobkov has stopped a total of 145 shots.
In the other semifinal, the US team beat defending champions Canada 2-1. The final and the bronze-medal playoff will take place Sunday in Fargo, North Dakota.
Russia is the most successful side in the history of the International Ice Hockey Federation's Under 18 Championships and will now add another medal to its collection of three golds, three silvers and one bronze.
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