OHL holds off Russians

Posted By IAN SHANTZ

Posted 2 months ago

Team OHL picked up where its counterparts from Quebec left off, breezing past the Russian Selects in the first of two Subway Super Series showcase games happening in this province.

But it was more of a slight breeze that a forceful wind that the hosts deployed in a 5-2 win before a capacity crowd at the Barrie Molson Centre.

Backed by a complete-team performance last night -- 12 different skaters hits the scoresheet and two goalies helped keep pucks out -- the Ontario Hockey League all-stars were able to sneak past an international opponent that played a solid, opportunistic, but penalty-heavy game.

"I thought it was a real solid effort, a real honest effort and a good result," Team OHL cocoach Dave Cameron said. "A lot of times we don't give enough respect to the opposition. That was a real good team, too."

Team OHL capitalized on three of 13 minor infractions taken by the Russians.

Kitchener Rangers forward Jeff Skinner, with a pair, Guelph Storm forward Taylor Beck, Ottawa 67's forward Tyler Toffoli and Windsor Spitfires forward Greg Nemisz -- with the winner at 12:57 of the second -- tallied for Team OHL, while Maxim

Kitsyn and Maxim Karpov collected goals for the Russians, who hung around until the midway point of the final period.

"Just happy we got a win," said Skinner, an NHL draft-eligible Markham native, who was named Team OHL's player of the game in his first Super Series appearance. "I think our team put a pretty good effort in. This isn't just another hockey game. There's extra pride in this."

With the win, the Canadian Hockey League improves to 3-0 in the six-game series, which resumes with another OHLhosted game in Windsor on Monday before moving on to the WHL for the final leg.

Peter Di Salvo and Michael Hutchinson combined to make 19 saves, helping the CHL lift its overall record against the Russians to 33-6 since the event's inception in 2003.

OHL teams have yet to lose to Russian opponents in that span. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squads have been tagged with five of the six losses.

Team OHL took a 1-0 lead into the second period courtesy of Skinner's power-play goal at the 10:51 mark of a penalty-filled opening frame. Skinner blew a bullet past Ramis Sadikov, beating him glove-side on a play set up by Christian Thomas and Matt Clark.

The host squad held a 19-9 shots advantage on the Russians, who opened the game with back-to-back infractions and wound up taking five minor penalties to the OHL's three in the frame.

The Russians came back to tie it a 1-1 just 57 seconds into the second period when Maxim Kitsyn beat starter Di Salvo glove side to polish off a pretty passing play and the touring squad took a 2-1 lead when Karpov beat Di Salvo short-side on a breakaway five minutes later to put Team OHL back on its heels.

A lack of discipline caught up to the Russians however, as the team took back-to-back penalties midway through the period and Team OHL made them pay on the second.

Beck's crash and bang tally from in close tied it at 2-2, with Stephen Silas and Nazem Kadri drawing assists.

Team OHL restored a one-goal lead two minutes later when a couple of Windsor Spitfires hooked up to beat Sadikov.

Greg Nemisz's wrap-around set up by OHL teammate Adam Henrique gave the hosts a 3-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes, and more penalties woes on the part of the Russians helped seal their fate.

Skinner added his second of the game on a power play to put Team OHL up 5-2 with 6:16 to go, breaking open what was otherwise a tightly played game.

"You really hope, in all honesty, that these games are close," Cameron said. "This is a big evaluation process for us ... the better the competition, the better the evaluation."

Russia is now 0-for-13 against OHL squads since 2003.

ishantz@thebarrieexaminer.com