SOVIETS STORM BACK TO DOWN CANADA, 9-7, IN OLYMPIC THRILLER

SOVIETS STORM BACK TO DOWN CANADA, 9-7, IN olympic THRILLER

Salvatorionov, Andrewzov Combine for 12 Points in Dominant Soviet Display

By Staff Correspondent | Olympic Ice Hockey Desk

LAKE PLACID, INWOOD ICE ARENA — In a game that swung wildly from one end of the ice to the other, the Soviet Union erased a first-period deficit and buried Canada 9-7 Thursday night at Inwood Ice Arena, dealing the Canadians a gut-punch loss in Round Robin play of the 2026 1980 Olympic Spring Classic.

It was a tale of two periods. Canada roared out of the gate, scoring three times in the opening frame to seize control. But the Soviets — relentless, disciplined, and surgically precise — answered with a staggering five-goal second period that turned the game on its head and never looked back.

A CANADIAN FIRST PERIOD

The home side came out flying, and it was power forward Brandon Kirner who drew first blood. The big 6'4" newcomer to the Canadian roster made his presence felt immediately, beating Danislav Rippetiak at 13:34 of the first on a setup from Joe Pokrzywa and George Donchez. It was precisely the kind of net-front, heavy game Canada was hoping Kirner could provide, and the home crowd responded in kind.

Veteran center Brian Snikeris — the all-time FHL points leader with 484 career goals — made it 2-0 just moments later at 9:59, converting off a feed from two-way stalwart Jason Lamarche. The goal was vintage Snikeris: quick hands, decisive release, no hesitation.

Bob Pirc rounded out the first-period scoring for Canada at 8:25, potting his first of the night with a tally set up by blue-liner George Donchez. The 3-1 lead heading into the intermission felt comfortable — the Soviets had gotten one back late on an Erikzander Andrewzov tally assisted by Bryadimir Heaponov and Nikolai Mcandrewnin — but Canada's line combinations were clicking and the energy in the building was squarely behind the home side.

Christopher Yung, the new addition between the pipes for Canada, was sharp when called upon, turning aside 18 of 19 Soviet shots in the frame. Across the ice, veteran netminder Rippetiak looked composed despite the early deficit, finishing the period with 11 stops of his own.

THE SOVIET SECOND: A MASTERCLASS IN DESTRUCTION

If the first period belonged to Canada, the second belonged entirely to the Soviet Union — and to Riktor Salvatorionov in particular.

The defending FHL scoring champion, all 5'8" and 250 pounds of him, was everywhere in the middle frame. Salvatorionov scored twice in the second, including the go-ahead goal at 10:34 assisted by Davamitry Rheauminov and Andrewzov, and added another helper for good measure. His linemate Andrewzov — the young Centerman — added a goal and two assists of his own in the period, proving he belongs on the top line despite his relative inexperience at this level.

Kennady Russellov opened the second-period floodgates at 13:46, converting off a Heaponov feed. After that, it was a parade. Koryn Weiffenbakov, the diminutive 5'6" speedster who has become one of the most dangerous setup players in the tournament, was seemingly involved in everything — she finished the night with four assists, serving as the engine of the Soviet attack.

Canada did claw back twice in the period. Kirner notched his second of the game at 5:07, with Snikeris and Pokrzywa assisting, and Pirc added his second at 4:44, set up by Duffy Blackburn and Lamarche. But every time Canada answered, the Soviets responded with another hammer blow.

By the time the buzzer sounded on the second period, the Soviets had outscored Canada 5-2 in the frame to take a 6-5 lead. The momentum had shifted completely.

Matthew Kranzentinov, picked up a hooking minor late in the period — the only penalty of the game — but the Soviets killed it without issue.

CANADA FIGHTS, BUT SOVIETS SEAL IT

To their credit, Canada kept pushing. Lamarche tallied at 6:35 of the third, a beautiful three-way play with Snikeris and Phillip Stice that briefly gave the home side hope. Snikeris added his second of the night at 3:33, with Lamarche and Pokrzywa assisting, cutting the deficit to 8-7 and sending the building into a frenzy.

But it wasn't to be.

Salvatorionov completed his domination of the evening with a final tally with just eight seconds remaining, finishing with four goals on the night. Andrewzov had also found the net again earlier in the third to cap a remarkable personal performance: three goals, three assists good for six points.

Yung could not be faulted for the loss. He stopped 30 of 39 shots and was Canada's best player for stretches. On the other end, Rippetiak was equally busy, facing 39 shots and making 32 saves in a performance befitting his reputation as a veteran champion. 

STARS OF THE GAME

⭐⭐⭐ Riktor Salvatorionov (Soviet Union) — 4G, 2A, 6 Pts ⭐⭐ Erikzander Andrewzov (Soviet Union) — 3G, 3A, 6 Pts ⭐ Brian Snikeris (Canada) — 2G, 2A, 4 Pts

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period: CAN — Kirner 1 (Pokrzywa, Donchez) 13:34; CAN — Snikeris 1 (Lamarche) 9:59; CAN — Pirc 1 (Donchez) 8:25; SOV — Andrewzov 1 (Heaponov, Mcandrewnin) 11:57

2nd Period: SOV — Russellov 1 (Heaponov) 13:46; SOV — Salvatorionov 1 (Andrewzov, Weiffenbacov) 11:23; SOV — Salvatorionov 2 (Rheauminov, Andrewzov) 10:34; CAN — Kirner 2 (Snikeris) 5:07; CAN — Pirc 2 (Blackburn, Lamarche) 4:44; SOV — Andrewzov 2 (Weiffenbacov, Salvatorionov) 6:33; SOV — Andrewzov 3 (Weiffenbacov) 3:28 (Pen: Kranzentinov, Hooking, 2 min, 8:42)

3rd Period: SOV — Salvatorionov 3 (Weiffenbacov) 8:43; SOV — Andrewzov 4 (Salvatorionov, Weiffenbacov) 7:43; CAN — Lamarche 1 (Snikeris, Stice) 6:35; CAN — Snikeris 2 (Lamarche, Pokrzywa) 3:33; SOV — Salvatorionov 4 (EN) 0:08

Shots: Canada 39, Soviet Union 39 Goalies: Yung (CAN) 30 saves / 39 shots; Rippetiak (SOV) 32 saves / 39 shots

Canada and the Soviet Union continue Olympic Round Robin play next week at Inwood Ice Arena.