USA 2, RUS 1:
Evan Barratt and the Americans punched their ticket to the WJC gold medal game on Friday, with a tense 2-1 victory over Russia. San Jose Sharks prospect Sasha Chmelevski scored the game-winner for Team USA. While Barratt did not get on the scoresheet, the win guarantees an all-Blackhawks gold medal game, as Barratt will face either Henri Jokiharju and Finland or Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland in the WJC final.
FIN 6, SUI 1:
In a meeting between a Blackhawk of the present - Henri Jokiharju of Finland - and a Blackhawk of the future - Philipp Kurashev of Switzerland - it was the present that held serve in a dominant 6-1 win for the Finns. Both members of the organization found the back of the net, but it was Jokiharju and Finland that cruised to victory on Friday night.
Jokiharju effectively put the game out of reach on the power play in the second period, taking advantage of a screen to cash in on the power play and stake the Finns to a 4-0 lead. It was his second goal of the tournament. Kurashev struck next after grabbing a loose puck in front of net and flipping home the only Swiss goal of the night. His sixth goal of the tournament means Kurashev is the tournament's top goal-scorer with one game left to play, as Switzerland faces Russia in the bronze medal game on Saturday. Jokiharju and Finland will battle the USA later that night with a gold medal on the line.
