Russia defeats USA 2–1, heads to World Junior final
Russia defeated the United States 2–1 on Monday and will play in the gold medal match of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships in Finland.
The United States also lost to Russia in the quarterfinal stage in 2014 and 2015.
Christian Dvorak, a second round pick by the Arizona Coyotes in 2014, scored the first goal of the game to give the U.S. the early lead.
Russia came back with goals by Pavel Kraskovsky and Yegor Korshkov in the second period.
Finland reached the title game with a 2–1 victory over Sweden. Finland's Roope Hintz and Antti Kalapudas scored as Kasperi Kapanen and captain Mikko Rantanen had two assists each.
Russian head coach Valeri Bragin has now coached his country to five World Junior championship game appearances in five chances. He has only won in 2011 over Canada, who defeated Russia for gold in 2005 and 2015.
The bronze medal match between the United States and Sweden will be held at 9:00 a.m. ET. Russia and Finland will play for gold on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m ET.
The U.S. has come away with bronze in 1986, 1992, 2007 and 2011.
- Christopher Chavez