Russia rout Ukraine
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ByEurosport
Published 11/05/2006 at 15:38 GMT
Alexander Ovechkin scored once and had two assists as Russia produced a devastating third-period burst to crush Ukraine 6-0 on Thursday. The Washington Capitals prodigy was an influential figure as Russia eventually ground down a dogged Ukrainian side in
ICE HOCKEY 2006 World Championships Russia-Ukraine Ovechkin
Image credit: Reuters
The result mirrored pre-match predictions, but inspired by facing their neighbours, Ukraine made Russia battle for every puck.
With Igor Karpenko solid between the pipes, Oleksandr Seukand's men crumbled just once in the opening two periods as Maxim Sushinsky craftily sneaked a wraparound goal with 16:06 on the clock after fine work from Ovechkin and Denis Kulyash.
But for all their stubborness, Ukraine rarely threatened Sergei Zvyagin's goal - being outshot 50 to 25 - and were unable to stem the red tide when fatigue set in.
With Andriy Sryubko in the box for a boarding penalty held over from late in the second period, the game tipped decisively in Russia's favour as Ovechkin again manufactured a goal for Sushinsky on 41:03.
Five minutes later Sushinsky returned the favour, providing Andrei Kruchinin with the chance to wind up a slap shot that was cleverly tipped past Karpenko by the alert Ovechkin.
Kulyash smashed a fourth from the blue line with Sergey Mozyakin adding a fifth after Karpenko had spilled Georgy Misharin's wrist shot, before Igor Grigorenko completed the win with three minutes left on the clock.
The only black spot for Russia coach Vladimir Krikunov was the first-period loss of Alexander Kharitonov, who was crudely kneed by Olexandr Bobkin.
Kharitonov had to be helped from the ice with a knee injury which may have ended his championships, while Bobkin was given a game misconduct penalty for the incident.
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