Team WHL fall to Russian Selects in Game 1

Talk about an exciting game with an exciting finish.

But, in the end the WHL team fell 7-6 in a shootout. That means that the Russian team has won 3 of 5 games against the CHL (2 losses to OHL, 2 wins vs. QMJHL, 1 win vs. WHL) during the 6 game CHL Super Series.

Team Dub had a 3 goal lead in the game with 10 minutes left to play before the Russians stormed back to tie it off of goals from Sergei Kalinin, Maxim Kitsyn and Artem Voronin.

The other three scorers for Russia were Daniil Sobchenko, Anton Burdasov and Artemiy Panarin.

The Saskatoon Blades were well represented in the game with Stefan Elliott, Curtis Hamilton and Darian Dziurzynski all named to the team.

Two of those three players found the scoresheet in a big way with Elliott and Hamilton each registering a goal and an assist.

The WHL goal scorers were Jordan Weal (Regina), Carter Ashton (Regina), Brandon Herrod (Prince Albert), Quinton Howden (Moose Jaw), Elliott (Saskatoon) and Hamilton (Saskatoon).

Wow, I just realized that ALL SIX goal scorers are from the Eastern Division. Very impressive.

Team Russia scored 3 times on 4 shootout attempts, with the Dub team only scoring once on 4 tries.

Kent Simpson (Everett) was not very solid overall, making 27 saves in the game and only 1 in the shootout.

Special teams was also a big story as both teams went 3 for 6 with the man advantage.

Game 6 of the series goes tomorrow night from Prince George. Once again it can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet @ 9:00 SK time.

Calvin Pickard will start for team WHL in that one.