#CANvsRUS Game 2 Notes

 

2016 CIBC CANADA RUSSIA SERIES

TEAM WHL vs. TEAM RUSSIA – GAME TWO

GAME NOTES

QUICK HITS

• Russia’s overtime win in Prince George on Monday was the first overtime finish in the history of the CIBC Canada Russia Series. Nine other games have gone to shootouts, with the most recent instance happening on November 10, 2014 in Saskatoon. A five minute, 4-on-4 overtime has since been implemented prior to a shootout if necessary.

• Russia has won Game 1 in five of the last seven CIBC Canada Russia Series events, ultimately winning the series in four out of those five years.

• Seven power plays in Game 1 are the most by Team WHL in a single game since November 26, 2008 in Swift Current when they went 4-for-8 in a 5-0 win.

• The CIBC Canada Russia Series comes to Edmonton for the first time in the history of the event. The newly unveiled Rogers Place opened just this past September.

 

SERIES NOTES

RED HOT HARKINS: Jansen Harkins (Prince George Cougars) was named Team WHL’s Player of the Game on Monday in Prince George. Harkins has scored three goals in as many CIBC Canada Russia Series contests after scoring in both Kelowna and Kamloops during last year’s event.

STEEL, PEDERSON SHOW FACEOFF PROWESS: Team WHL forwards Sam Steel (Regina Pats) and Lane Pederson (Swift Current Broncos) were a big presence in the faceoff circle in Game 1, helping Team WHL go 40-for-64 (62.5%). Steel was 13-for-18 on the night while Pederson went 10-for-15.

SHOT SUPPRESSION: Russia scored three times on 21 shots in Game 1. Team WHL has held Russia to 25 shots or less in seven straight games dating back to November 15, 2012 in Victoria when they recorded 32 in a 5-2 Russian victory.

BOUNCE-BACK EFFORT: Team WHL is 2-2 in games after they’ve lost their first encounter with Russia. The Russians have taken both matchups on two occasions, once in 2010 and again in 2014.

RUSSIA WITH LAST CHANGE: Team Russia will be the home team in tonight’s game. The Russians went 0-3 as the home team in last year’s event. Over the past five years they are 6-9 in games where they have the last change.