WHL 4 Russia 2
KELOWNA, B.C. — Brandon McMillan and the Western Hockey League all-stars downed the Russian Selects 4-2 on Thursday night in the sixth and final game of the Super Series.
The Kelowna Rockets forward scored the game-winner on the power play midway through the second to give the three Canadian Hockey League all-star teams a sweep of the six-game.
Stefan Elliott, Linden Vey and Willie Coetzee, with an insurance goal late in the third period, also scored for the WHL, which also beat Russia 2-1 in Victoria on Wednesday.
Maxim Gorechishnikov, with the lone goal of the first period, and Maxim Kitsyn, with his fourth goal of the series in the third, replied for Russia.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League all-stars took Games 1 and 2 of the series by scores of 3-1 and 8-3, while the Ontario Hockey League all-stars took Games 3 and 4 by identical 5-2 scores.
In Game 6 on Thursday, the Russians were visibly tired, playing their third game in four nights.
The result flattered Russia for second night in a row, thanks in large part to goalie Igor Bobkov, who made 35 saves.
The 19-year-old Moscow Dynamo netminder was coming off a 40-save performance in Wednesday’s loss.
Calgary Hitmen goaltender Martin Jones had an easy night in the WHL net, turning aside 16 shots.
After an energetic first period for both teams and a lethargic second by the Russians, the two teams combined for an entertaining third.
With the WHL up 3-2, Coetzee closed the door on Russia with an individual effort at 17:28. The Red Deer Rebels’ forward cut across the blue-line before snapping home a shot to close out the scoring at 4-2.
The Russians have lost 12 of their last 13 games in the Super Series dating back to 2007, and are now 6-36 all-time.