MOSCOW, April 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will play the
United States in the final of the under-18 ice hockey world
championships after beating Finland 4-0 in the semifinals.
Friday's convincing win over the Finns was the Russians'
revenge for the 7-4 defeat to their Nordic neighbors on the
opening day of the tournament.
The U.S. team beat defending champions Canada 2-1 in the
other semifinal. The final and the bronze-medal playoff will
take place Sunday in Fargo, North Dakota.
Russia was inspired to victory by Yevgeny Kuznetsov's goal
and three assists, as well as an outstanding performance by
goalkeeper Igor Bobkov, who recorded a shutout despite the
Finns out-shooting their opponents 51-45.
Russia is the most successful side in the history of the
International Ice Hockey Federation's Under-18 championships
and now will add another medal to its three golds and three
silvers and one bronze.
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