Sunday, January 03, 2010
Team Ontario Reaches Final at Under 17 Worlds
In a nail-biting seesaw battle, Team Ontario survived pressure from a persistent Russian team to emerge as 6-4 winners. They now advance to the World Under 17 Final against the Americans Monday night at "The Mac" in Timmins.
The Canadians outshot the Russians 40-28. Belleville's Brad Teichmann was in the net for the Ontario squad. Although touched up for four tallies, he made the big saves when necessary. Both teams could be faulted for taking undisciplined penalties, resulting in power play goals. Russia's Albert Yarullin hammered the puck past Teichmann with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, on a power play.
After the game, we discussed the goal. "It changed direction on the way to the net," he told me.
Coach Jake Grimes indicated that Teichmann will start the final game Monday night.
Teichmann makes no bones about his feelings about the tournament. "This is the best experience of my life. We knew that the Russians would be tough."
The Ontario team routed the Russians 9-1 in exhibition play prior to the start of the tournament; however, experience tells us that the Russians often play possum when there are no chips on the table. When there is something on the line, you must be prepared to face an entirely different foe.
"We knew they would be fast, and skilled," Teichmann told me. "but I had a great team in front of me, and they played well defensively. I had full confidence, especially when we had a lead."
The Canadian team managed to snare most of the wayward pucks in the game, and pelted diminutive Russian goalie Vladimir Kramar at will.
Players of the game were Garrett Meurs for Ontario, and Anton Zlobin for the Russians.
The Canadians outshot the Russians 40-28. Belleville's Brad Teichmann was in the net for the Ontario squad. Although touched up for four tallies, he made the big saves when necessary. Both teams could be faulted for taking undisciplined penalties, resulting in power play goals. Russia's Albert Yarullin hammered the puck past Teichmann with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, on a power play.
After the game, we discussed the goal. "It changed direction on the way to the net," he told me.
Coach Jake Grimes indicated that Teichmann will start the final game Monday night.
Teichmann makes no bones about his feelings about the tournament. "This is the best experience of my life. We knew that the Russians would be tough."
The Ontario team routed the Russians 9-1 in exhibition play prior to the start of the tournament; however, experience tells us that the Russians often play possum when there are no chips on the table. When there is something on the line, you must be prepared to face an entirely different foe.
"We knew they would be fast, and skilled," Teichmann told me. "but I had a great team in front of me, and they played well defensively. I had full confidence, especially when we had a lead."
The Canadian team managed to snare most of the wayward pucks in the game, and pelted diminutive Russian goalie Vladimir Kramar at will.
Players of the game were Garrett Meurs for Ontario, and Anton Zlobin for the Russians.
# posted by James Hurst @ 7:08 PM 
