Before Game 3 of the Subway Super Series, Team OHL center Ryan Strome talked about how fast and skilled Russia was.
The Russians demonstrated that vast skill set in the third period, exploding for a pair of goals in a 24-second span to steal a 2-1 win Thursday at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario.
The victory was the first for Russia against Team OHL in Super Series history; it had been 0-18.
Russia, playing its third game in four days and on its second straight night after facing Team QMJHL in Val-d'Or, Quebec on Wednesday, looked sluggish for two periods, totaling nine shots but trailing just 1-0 on Tyler Graovac's shorthanded goal.
The third period was markedly different -- Russia showcased that speed, putting Team OHL on its heels early.
Russia finally cracked through when 2013 NHL Draft prospect Anton Shenfeld scored at 12:41 of the third. Andrei Sigarev sent the puck out of the Russia zone to Yaroslav Kosov, who made a great one-touch pass to Shenfeld.
Shenfeld, skating in on Tampa Bay Lightning first-round pick Slater Koekkoek, made a great move sliding the puck from his backhand to his forehand, got into the slot and ripped a shot past goalie Jordan Binnington.
Less than a minute later, Maxim Shalunov, a Chicago Blackhawks prospect, skated the puck out of his end unobstructed into the Team OHL end and sent a shot on net from the left circle that appeared to catch Binnington unprepared at 13:01.
Team OHL had a chance to tie the game, with a power play with 4:48 remaining, but Russia goalie Igor Ustinski continued his outstanding play, denying Joshua Leivo twice from the doorstep to preserve the lead.
Game 4 of the Super Series will take place Nov. 12 in Sarnia, Ontario.
Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK
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