Drop pass proves deadly for Sweden as Russia grabs bronze
MONTREAL — Denis Guryanov scored in overtime as Russia defeated Sweden 2-1 on Thursday in the bronze-medal game at the world junior hockey championship.
Kirill Kaprizov had the lone goal in regulation for Russia. Netminder Ilya Samsonov was brilliant, stopping 38 of 39 shots.
The Russians have now won a medal at the world juniors for seven consecutive years. Jonathan Dahlen had Sweden’s lone goal, while goalie Felix Sandstrom made 24 saves.
Sweden has now finished fourth in three consecutive tournaments.
In overtime, Guryanov took advantage of a sloppy defensive play by Sweden’s Rasmus Asplund, who sent an errant back pass to teammate Alexander Nylander.
Guryanov, selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2015 draft, jumped on the loose puck and put it between Sandstrom’s legs just 33 seconds into the extra session.
The Swedes, who outshot Russia 39-26, were the faster and more dangerous team for much of the game.
The Russians managed just three shots in the first period, while Sweden failed to capitalize on three power-play opportunities. Kaprizov opened the scoring 16 seconds into the second period with his tournament-leading ninth goal. The Russian captain crashed the net, then slotted home his own rebound after Sandstrom made the initial save.
The 19-year-old Kaprizov scored in all but one game at this tournament. His nine goals are the most by a Russian player at any world junior championship.
Kaprizov, a fifth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild, and Nylander, a Buffalo Sabres draftee, both finished the world juniors with 12 points, tied for best in the tournament.