CANADA REBOUNDS WITH POWERPLAY-FUELED VICTORY

CAMROSE, AB – Apparently the Canada West team that showed up for the tournament opener on Sunday night against Belarus wasn’t the true version of the two-time defending gold medalists.

Two nights after being shocked in a shootout by the Belarussians, Canada West scored five goals on the powerplay – including two on five-on-threes – in a 5-2 win over Russia on Tuesday night at the Edgeworth Centre.

The win wrapped up first place in Group A and an automatic berth in the semifinals for the Canadians, who will not play again until Saturday’s final four match-ups.

Derek Grant led the charge with a pair of goals, while Dylan Olsen, Curtis McKenzie and Matt MacKay also beat Russian netminder Eduard Reyzvikh, who at times must have felt like he was in a shooting gallery.

After being outshot 10-6 in the opening 20 minutes, the Canadians fired 28 shots at Reyzvikh over the final two periods, compared to just 13 directed at Canada West goaltender Kevin Genoe.

Vladimir Tarasenko opened the scoring for the Russians less than four minutes after the opening face-off, undressing a Canada West defender and beating Genoe for the lone goal of the first period.

Russia got into penalty trouble in the second period, taking seven consecutive minors at one point, and the Canadians made it pay, as Grant, Olsen and McKenzie all converted with the man advantage, sending the 2,100-plus in attendance into a frenzy.

Grant’s second powerplay marker and a man advantage goal from MacKay bookended a Russian goal from Maxim Kitsin in the third period as Canada West spent much of the final 40 minutes playing five-on-four.

Jaden Schwartz picked up Player of the Game honours for Canada West after racking up three assists, while Tommy Brown added a pair of helpers in the win.

Russia’s loss leaves it in second place in the group, and facing a date with the third-place team from Group B in one of Thursday’s quarter-finals. Their opponent will not be known until after Wednesday’s game between Canada East and the United States (8 p.m. MST).