6 replies to this topic

[Erik C.]

December 28, 2012
9:00 AM Eastern
Ufa Arena, Ufa, Russia

Television:

Absent a formal gave preview, I’m including with the team rosters the NHL.com preview written for each team.

Coach: Mikhail Varnakov

Team Roster

#	Player Name	Pos.	NHL Rights
27	Kirill Dyakov	Defense	2013 Draft Eligible
28	Yaroslav Dyblenko	Defense	2013 Draft Eligible
25	Mikhail Grigorenko	Forward	Buffalo Sabres
21	Kirill Kapustin	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
19	Alexander Khokhlachev	Forward	Boston Bruins
29	Pavel Koledov	Defense	2013 Draft Eligible
18	Yaroslav Kosov	Forward	Florida Panthers
16	Nikita Kucherov	Forward	Tampa Bay Lightning
20	Andrei Makarov	Goalie	Buffalo Sabres
22	Andrei Mironov	Defense	2013 Draft Eligible
11	Yevgeni Mozer	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
9	Nikita Nesterov	Defense	Tampa Bay Lightning
15	Valeri Nichushkin	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
7	Artyom Sergeyev	Defense	Tampa Bay Lightning
8	Maxim Shalunov	Forward	Chicago Blackhawks
12	Andrei Sigaryov	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
17	Anton Slepyshev	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
14	Vladimir Tkachyov	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
1	Igor Ustinski	Goalie	2013 Draft Eligible
30	Andrei Vasilevski	Goalie	Tampa Bay Lightning
10	Nail Yakupov	Forward	Edmonton Oilers
5	Albert Yarullin	Defense	2013 Draft Eligible
26	Danil Zharkov	Forward	Edmonton Oilers

Last year: After an emotional victory over Canada in the semifinals of the medal round, Russia dropped that 1-0 decision to Sweden in the final. The Russians rallied for three straight medal-round victories against Finland, Sweden and Canada but couldn't solve Swedish goalie Johan Gustafsson, who stopped all 17 shots in his direction in the final. Russia finished second in Group A with three victories and a 4-3 overtime loss to Sweden, outscoring its foes, 23-5.

2013 NHL Draft watch: A number of top prospects will be featured, including forward Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin, a 6-foot-4, 196-pound right wing, is rated No. 1 in NHL Central Scouting's preliminary ranking of Russian draft-eligible skaters.

"[Nichushkin] is a big, strong two-way winger," Central Scouting Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb told NHL.com. "He's tough to stop when driving to the net from either wing -- a defenseman's nightmare in one-on-one situations when at top speed. He handles the puck well in traffic, makes good decisions in those situations. [He] has a high overall skill level and moves well for a big guy, smooth hands, good playmaker."

Schedule: Dec. 26, Slovakia, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN-US); Dec. 28, United States, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN-US); Dec. 29, Germany, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN-US); Dec. 31, Canada, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN-US).

Outlook: Edmonton Oilers prospect Nail Yakupov has a strong supporting cast around him with Mikhail Grigorenko (Buffalo Sabres), Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Alexander Khokhlachev (Boston Bruins). Offensive-defenseman Nikita Nesterov and goalie Andrei Vasilevski, highly regarded prospects of the Lightning, should play vital roles for the host country. Russia also has goalie Andrei Makarov (Buffalo Sabres) returning between the pipes. The star-studded lineup on home ice makes Russia the odds-on favorite to finish first in Group B.

"Russia is always strong and this year's team is as strong as the gold medal-winning group two years ago," Stubb said. "The goaltending is better now."

Coach: Phil Housley

Team Roster

#	Player Name	Pos.	NHL Rights
16	Riley Barber	Forward	Washington Capitals
18	Cole Bardreau	Forward	Free Agent
22	Tyler Biggs	Forward	Toronto Maple Leafs
15	Alex Galchenyuk	Forward	Montreal Canadiens
13	John Gaudreau	Forward	Calgary Flames
35	John Gibson	Goalie	Anaheim Ducks
30	Jon Gillies	Goalie	Calgary Flames
14	Shayne Gostisbehere	Defense	Philadelphia Flyers
23	Rocco Grimaldi	Forward	Florida Panthers
21	Ryan Hartman	Forward	2013 Draft Eligible
3	Seth Jones	Defense	2013 Draft Eligible
7	Sean Kuraly	Forward	San Jose Sharks
12	Mario Lucia	Forward	Minnesota Wild
19	Jake McCabe	Defense	Buffalo Sabres
10	J.T. Miller	Forward	New York Rangers
5	Connor Murphy	Defense	Phoenix Coyotes
20	Blake Pietila	Forward	New Jersey Devils
6	Mike Reilly	Defense	Columbus Blue Jackets
29	Garrett Sparks	Goalie	Toronto Maple Leafs
25	Vince Trocheck	Forward	Florida Panthers
8	Jacob Trouba	Defense	Winnipeg Jets
26	Jim Vesey	Forward	Nashville Predators

Last year: The U.S. team is coming off a seventh-place finish, its worst showing since finishing eighth in 1999. An 11-3 victory over Denmark in its opening game was followed by losses to Finland (4-1), Czech Republic (5-2) and Canada (3-2). The Americans needed a 12-2 victory over Latvia in their opener of the relegation round in order to secure a position in the top division of this year's tournament.

2013 NHL Draft watch: There are two promising 2013 draft prospects on the roster: defenseman Seth Jones of the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL and forward Ryan Hartman of the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL. Jones likely would have been a member of last year's team if not for a shoulder injury he sustained in the last exhibition game. The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones is rated No. 1 among WHL skaters in NHL Central Scouting's preliminary league rankings. Over the summer, Jones (6-foot-3.5, 208 pounds) served as captain for the U.S. team at the World Under-18 Championship, totaling eight points in six games as the United States won the gold medal. Hartman is No. 11 among skaters in the OHL. The versatile 5-11, 187-pound forward made a big impression on the U.S. managerial team at training camp.

Schedule: Dec. 27, Germany, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN-US); Dec. 28, Russia, 9 a.m. ET (NHLN-US); Dec. 30, Canada, 4:30 a.m. ET (NHLN-US); Dec. 31, Slovakia, 5 a.m. ET (NHLN-US).

Outlook: The only time last year's finish was even discussed during training camp was when the media inquired about it. The biggest difference in this year's group is the enthusiasm and energy each player is willing to exert every practice and each shift. The three returnees -- defenseman Jacob Trouba, forward J.T. Miller and goaltender John Gibson -- are ready to lead by example. Expect the Americans to rebound in a big way and earn a second-place finish in Group B.

[Bubba83]

Can't freaking wait to watch this game!

[Erik C.]

Yes, bears do eat eagles. In the first clash of bona fide gold medal contenders at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship, Russia edged the USA 2-1 on Friday night at Ufa Arena.

The winner came at 4:09 of the third period when 17-year-old forward Valeri Nichushkin took the puck end-to-end and Vladimir Tkachyov banged in a loose puck sitting in the crease.

Compared to previous tournament games, the speed and intensity were cranked up a notch, and it was evident that both teams were determined to deliver a passionate but generally clean game.

Albert Yarullin also scored for the Russians, and Jacob Trouba replied for the United States.

"Both teams played pretty well, competed hard, and got good goaltending," said Trouba. "We just came up a little short."

Russia’s five points leave it in second place in Group B behind Canada, while the Americans are third with three points.

From the IIHF site

There until the end. Sucks taking the loss, but they didn't get blown out of the building, either.

[Bubba83]

So many opportunities they didn't bury, like the puck sitting in the crease and no one being able to put it in on that one play. Makarov was pretty crazy. Really thought we played the better game but Makarov was the difference. Also, a bit undisciplined in the first period and when Russia was undisciplined in the third stuff wasn't getting called. You could also tell the U.S. had tired legs in the second half of the third period, and Russia looked fresh still, perhaps because of the Russia scheduling advantage.

[Erik C.]

They gotta get in shape fast, then. They have one more set of back-to-backs in this tournament.

[Bubba83]

They gotta get in shape fast, then. They have one more set of back-to-backs in this tournament.

Not sure if you watched the game or not but I thought you might be interested that Blake Pietila stood out to me today again, he was a surprise to make the team but definitely deserved the spot after pre-comp and I've been impressed with him all four games I've watched now.

[Erik C.]

Cool. Thanks for filling me in.