Canada-Russia series ends in whirlwind double shootout, and a dream come true for P.A.’s Schneider

Heck, you even saw Blades head coach Mitch Love and Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid start to become friends and work together, after the constant war of words during their playoff series against each other in April. Habscheid even called him “a great guy” after the game Thursday and Love said he learned a lot from being around Habscheid and all the other coaches and players on Team WHL.

Nothing made sense, but it didn’t have to. It was thrilling, if puzzling at times.

Just to clear it up, the CHL teams came into the game with one more point than Russia. With Russia winning in a shootout, both teams actually finished the series with eight points. Therefore, another shootout was needed to break the tie. Kelowna Rockets forward Nolan Foote scored the winner in the sixth round for Team WHL, after scoring two goals in regulation.

All the above was brand new to Prince Albert’s Braden Schneider, especially the wacky double shootout to separate the two teams.

“No I haven’t. It’s a little bit different,” Schneider said. “But we got the outcome we wanted. It was a lot of fun watching [the shootouts] and seeing all the guys show what they got.”

For Schneider, this game was circled on his calendar for a long time. He knew the game was going to be played in his hometown rink, where he grew up watching the Raiders and playing on the ice surface throughout his minor hockey. He was only seven years old the last time this event came to Prince Albert back in 2008. So to actually play in it, in his hometown, was something out of a fairy-tale.

“It’s been a dream come true,” said Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Schneider, who’s listed as a potential first round draft choice in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. “You grew up watching this your whole life in this rink for me. I’m speechless. There’s no words for it. It’s been an unbelievable experience.”

Schneider just about blew the roof off the Art Hauser Centre halfway through in the third period. He stormed up the ice on a 3-on-2 break, cut into the high slot and ripped a wrist shot off the crossbar. That would have given Team WHL a 4-2 lead.

Schneider also completely flatted Maxim Groshev in the second period with a hit into the end boards that was so hard, Groshev did a flip after the contact and fell onto the ice.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Russia, Lev Komissarov from Mikhail Gordeyev and Maxim Groshev, 15:40

Second Period

2-0, Russia, Ilya Kruglov from Daniil Pylenkov and Vladislav Mikhailov, 3:23

2-1, WHL, Nolan Foote from Ty Smith and Calen Addison (power play), 13:57

2-2, WHL, Nolan Foote from Dylan Cozens and Ty Smith (power play), 16:25

3-2, WHL, Ryan Chyzowski from Connor Zary and Brayden Tracey (power play), 17:53

Third Period

3-3, Russia, Zakhar Shablovskii from Ivan Morozov and Rodion Amirov, (power play), 13:56

Overtime

No scoring.

Shootout

Russia wins 3-2

Second Shootout to decide series

Nolan Foote scores winner in sixth round.

Back in ‘08

The only other time this event came to Prince Albert was on Nov. 27, 2008. Team WHL edged out Russia 2-1 in the game.

Zach Boychuk was named the game’s first star and scored the opening goal. Kyle Beach had the other. Vadim Ermolaev scored the lone goal for the Russians.

Prince Albert was well represented in that game, as well. Prince Albert’s Joel Broda played in that game, as did then-Raiders captain Dustin Cameron.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D'Andrea

Canada-Russia series ends in whirlwind double shootout, and a dream come true for P.A.’s Schneider

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