Latest instalment of Canada-Russia hockey rivalry on tap at world championship
COLOGNE, Germany — Russia reached the podium at the last two world hockey championships but was forced to watch as the archrival Canadians took their perch on the top step.
The hockey powerhouses will meet again in Saturday’s semifinal at the Lanxess Arena with Russia looking to eliminate any chance of its longtime foe winning gold for a third straight year.
Russia has looked very strong at the tournament even though star forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin are not with the team. Artemi Panarin has 14 points in seven games and Russia leads all teams with 38 goals scored and just nine against. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has recorded three of Russia’s four shutouts.
Canada coach Jon Cooper said he’s not planning to make any major adjustments ahead of the showdown.