Sergei Bobrovsky turned away several late chances from Team North America and got some help from the post in the final seconds as Russia held on for a thrilling 4-3 win over North America on Monday.
Both Russia and North America are now 1-1 at the World Cup of Hockey.
In the final minute of action with North America using a 6-on-4 advantage, Bobrovsky turned away Shayne Gostisbehere three times before the defenseman rang one off the post, missing out on the equalizer.
Austin Matthews started the party for Team North America, but in a span of six minutes in the second period, the Russians put an end to the fun netting four goals to open up a 4-1 lead.
Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko each found the back of the net to bounce Matt Murray from the game.
Matthews’ goal was a thing of beauty and it was highlighted by the speed and skill of Oilers star Connor McDavid.
Edmonton’s future muscled past former Red Wings forward and current KHLer Pavel Datsyuk along the boards and then skipped the puck across to the Matthews who buried it for his goal of the tournament – and first of many inside of Air Canada Centre.
McDavid! What a play! ? #TeamNA #WCH2016 pic.twitter.com/bQEzT1DNob
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 20, 2016
Team North America’s Morgan Rielly stopped the bleeding with a goal to pull the 23-year-old and under squad to within 4-2 heading into the third.
In the final period Ryan Nugent-Hopkins provided the only offense for Team North America.
Sabres forward Jack Eichel finished the night with a minus-2 rating, but saw the fourth most time on the ice during power plays at five minutes, 55 seconds.
Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov had six shots on goal in 18 minutes of ice time.
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