2010 U18 WJC: Russia defeat Czech Republic 4-1 (Photo © wikimedia.org)

Team Russia won its 2010 U18 WJC inaugural match against Czech Republic with a comfortable 4-1 score. Sergei Barbashev opened the score after Vasiliev’s team killed a penalty whistled against Roman Berdnikov. On the last minutes of the first period team Russia had a powerplay, but they weren’t able to score.

Midway through the second period 93-born Maxim Shalunov doubled the score for Team Russia, but Michal Vacovek made it a 1-2 game at the thirty-ninth minute of play.

In the third period defenseman Viktor Antipin restored team Russia’s two goal lead during a double powerplay, then center Vladislav Namestnikov sealed the deal with a goal at the fifty-seventh minute.

Team Russia’s star of the tournament is supposed to be Evgeny Kuznetsov (pictured), who got an injury during the second period. Sergei Kostenko of Metallurg Novokuznetsk was the starting goalkeeper and finished the game with 14 saves.

On the other today’s games, Switzerland surprised Canada 3-1, Finland defeated Latvia 7-2 and the USA lost to Sweden 2-4. Team Russia’s next game will be tomorrow against Latvia and then on Friday against Team Finland.