World Juniors 2017: Russia wins bronze medal in quick overtime fashion

Russia has won the bronze medal after a quick overtime has led to their seventh straight World Junior medal.

Denis Guryanov had the 2-1 game winner for Russia while goaltender Ilya Samsonov saved 38 in the win.

Sweden dominated the opening frame, outshooting Russia, 15-3, but neither side was able to break the score open in the first 20.

Russia, however, drew first blood 16 seconds into the second period. World Juniors leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov netted his ninth of the tournament on a great individual effort to get around the Swedish defense and put the puck in past Felix Sandstrom on a second try.

The Swedes continued to press for the equalizer, and it paid off on Jonathan Dahlén’s tally midway through the period. A giveaway by the Russians in front of their own net ended up on Dahlén’s stick and in the back of the net past the blocker of Samsonov to make it 1-1.

A hard-fought third period had good chances for both sides, but overtime was needed to decide who would get the bronze medal.

Only 33 seconds were needed in the extra time, as Guryanov was able to steal the puck from the Swedes in their own zone and pot the puck behind Sandstrom for the win.