2015 World Junior Championship: Russia and Canada Advance to Monday's Gold Medal Match
We're almost all the way done with the 2015 WJC and now we've got our final matchup set. Let's take a look at Sunday's Semifinal matches that got us here.
Russia Defeats Sweden 4-1
Featuring: Axel Holmstrom (0 points, 1 SOG, -1), Cristoffer Ehn (0 points, 1 SOG)
Russia continued the impressive stifling play which propelled them past the Americans in the Quarterfinal round on Friday, this time denying Sweden a spot in the WJC final for the first time since 2012. Both Holmstrom and Ehn were kept off the scoresheet as Alexander Sharov scored twice. This should make the final very interesting to say the least, as these two countries don't get along in hockey at all.
Canada Defeats Slovakia 5-1
Featuring: Joe Hicketts (0 points, 0 SOG, +1)
Canada smoked Slovakia again, outshooting them 44-15 on their way to the Gold Medal Game. Nic Petan scored a hatty and Connor McDavid added three assists. Joe Hicketts was on for two Canada goals (one power play), but didn't factor into the scoring outside of being responsible for saving what almost certainly would have been a goal for Slovakia in the second period thanks to a good net-front clear. This game was actually close for a lot longer than it seemed, as Canada didn't score their second goal until the final two minutes of the third.
Final Games
Sweden vs. Slovakia (Bronze Medal Match) - 4:00pm EST at the Air Canda Centre
Canada vs. Russia (Gold Medal Match ) - 8:00pm EST at the Air Canada Centre
Both games will be broadcast in the US by NHL Network and by Canada on TSN.