SOVIETS SILENCE SWEDES, 5–3

SOVIETS SILENCE SWEDES, 5–3

Weiffenbachov Nets Pair as Red Machine Grinds Out Hard-Fought Win at Inwood Ice Arena

The first period produced a breathless exchange of goals unlike any seen thus far in the tournament. Sweden's Allendorfenblad struck first at 9:07, capitalizing on a masterful setup from the line of Ryan Shawberg and Kevin Voytensson. Barely three minutes later, the Soviets answered as young Erikzander Andrewzov — showing the kind of hockey intelligence that belies his inexperience — notched his first of the contest, going unassisted. Sweden reclaimed the lead at 13:14 when Allendorfenblad struck again with the same linemates providing the ammunition. The Soviets would not trail for long. Riktor Salvatorionov — the reigning FHL scoring champion — tipped in a pass from defenseman Davamitry Rheauminov at 13:43 of the first to send the teams to the intermission deadlocked at two.

The second period belonged to the red-clad Soviet Union. Kennady Russellov — a grizzled veteran whose battles in front of the opposing net are legendary — took a feed from Urgay Kraushenev and hammered home what proved to be the decisive goal at 10:38. Sweden pushed back, and Allendorfenblad completed his hat trick late in the frame — again assisted by the industrious Voytensson and Shawberg — to keep the Swedes within one. The Soviets, however, held their composure under pressure, a hallmark of the Soviet hockey system not seen thus far in the tournament.

Sweden's Allendorfenblad picked up a minor penalty early in the third, and though the Soviet power play did not convert, the momentum shifted decisively. The game's final goal came at 6:21 of the third when the speedy Koryn Weiffenbachov — who finished with two goals on the night — rifled home a pass from Bryadimir Heaponov, with defenseman Mikhail Kranzentinov earning the secondary assist. Sweden mounted no answer.

In net, Soviet goaltender Danislav Rippetiak turned aside 23 of 26 shots to earn the win in his 45 minutes of work. Foremblad, despite a valiant effort, stopped 24 of the 29 pucks hurled his way — a respectable performance that nonetheless could not hold back the Soviet tide. Sweden will look to regroup in thier final round robin game agianst a very tough Finland team while the Soviets march on towards a date with the high flying Canadians.