ЧМ U20: KUZNETSOV`S TWO GOALS LEAD RUSSIA TO WIN OVER AUSTRIA
On a day featuring lopsided victories between Sweden and the Czech Republic and Canada and Latvia, Russia's game -- expected to be a blowout -- was one of the closest.
Russia's Maxim Trunev was credited with the opening goal just two minutes in when Petr Khokhriakov's shot hit him and went in.
Austria responded near the midway mark on the power play when Konstantin Komarek banged in a rebound past Anaheim Ducks draft pick Igor Bobkov.
Russia responded with goals from Maxim Chudinov and 2010 NHL entry draft prospects Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko. NHL draft picks Dmitri Orlov (Washington Capitals) and Kirill Petrov (New York Islanders) picked up two assists each in the first.
The two teams swapped second-period goals, Kuznetsov with his second of the night for Russia and Nikolaus Hartl with a pretty breakaway goal for Austria to make it a 5-2 game heading into the third.
Though the Russians were putting on a clinic with crisp passes, fast skating and wicked shots, they were having a hard time beating Austrian goalie Lorenz Hern, who made numerous sensational stops to give his team a chance on the night.
The 4,990 fans in attendance were clearly cheering for the underdogs, roaring with every Hern save and Austrian scoring chance and booing every penalty in Russia's favour.
But on a power play near the midway mark of the third Petrov added one more for Russia and put things out of reach for Austria.
Bobkov needed just 14 saves for the win while Hirn made a solid 27 saves in the loss and was named Austria's player of the game.