Yegor Korshkov scored a goal and an assist to lead Russia to a 2-1 win over Team USA in the semifinal round of the 2016 World Junior Championship on Monday at Hartwall Arena.
It’s the third straight year the Russians have knocked out the U.S., 5-3 in 2014 and 3-2 in 2015. It’s also the seventh consecutive loss for the Americans in the elimination round to the Russians. The U.S. last defeated Russia, 3-2, in the preliminary round Dec. 29, 2007.
Russia and host Finland, who beat Sweden 2-1 in the other semifinal, will meet for the gold-medal game at noon Tuesday, while the Americans face off against the Swedes at 8 a.m. for bronze. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Joni Tuulola will play for Finland, and Nick Schmaltz (U.S.) and Gustav Forsling (Sweden) will meet for the second time in the tournament.
Pavel Kraskovsky tied it 1-1 when he poked in the puck past Alex Nedeljkovic with less than five minuets to go in the second period. Korshkov would add the game-winner by sliding the puck low on Nedeljkovic’s short side.
Christian Dvorak, a Palos, Ill. native, opened the scoring at 9:04 into the first period. Sonny Milano rushed into the Russian zone and sent a feed to Dvorak on the back door to give Team USA a 1-0 lead.
In the first period, Alex Nedeljkovic kept the Russians off the board with multiple big saves on a two-minute 5-on-3 with captain Zach Werenski booked for slashing and a too many men penalty. Nedeljkovic finished the game with 31 saves.
It was the first game since the Americans were shutout by Sweden, 1-0, that Auston Matthews was held without a point. Matthews, who leads the tournament with seven goals, is tied for third in points at 11 with Finland’s Patrik Laine. Matthews’ goal total puts him one shy of tying the U.S. goal scoring record in the tournament set by Jeremy Roenick.
Finland rallies past Sweden for gold-medal game berth
Roope Hintz and Antti Kalapudas each scored in the span of 1:56 midway through the second period to send Finland to its second WJC gold-medal game in three years with a 2-1 win over Sweden.
Kasperi Kapanen recorded an assist on both Finnish goals.
Ramsus Asplund put the Swedes on the board off a feed from Dmytro Timashov in the first period. It was Timashov’s seventh point of the tournament.
Kaapo Kahkonen made 21 saves in net for the win.