Post by Anaheim GM on Aug 25, 2004 19:07:36 GMT -5
Russia sqeaked out a victory against Canada East today behind the stellar play of goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin. The "Bulin Wall" was peppered with 45 shots and managed to stop all but two on his way to the third team victory in as many games. Russia got 2 goals from Sergei Berezin, a player that ironically made the team because of his improved defense. Berezin locked and fired a wrist shot from the top of the circle with less than one second remaining in the middle period to add his second goal of the night.
Ilya Kovalchuk continued his solid play by adding another goal in the third period which would be the one Russia would need to secure a victory.
"We aren't taking anything for granted," stated center Pavel Datsyuk, "we were pretty poor in our own end tonight and Nik (Khabibulin) bailed us out. We need to be more sound back there," he concluded.
The Russians were outshot 45-29 throughout the course of the game.
Ilya Kovalchuk continued his solid play by adding another goal in the third period which would be the one Russia would need to secure a victory.
"We aren't taking anything for granted," stated center Pavel Datsyuk, "we were pretty poor in our own end tonight and Nik (Khabibulin) bailed us out. We need to be more sound back there," he concluded.
The Russians were outshot 45-29 throughout the course of the game.