
Photo: NHL
For a period and a half it was business as usual, as Team Canada seemed to be methodically marching their way to the championship round with a win over Team Russia. But then Team Russia woke up.
After a lone goal by Team Canada’s Sidney Crosby in the first period, things seemed to be following the same script in the second period, with Team Canada leading in shots on goal 30-10 at the midway point of the middle frame.
But then seemingly out of nowhere, Team Russia’s Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) would tie the game on a blast from the right dot at 8:46 of the second period.
Then, with 3:36 remaining in the second period, the Washington Capitals Evgeny Kuznetsov would literally bat one home to give Team Russia the shocking lead.
Out of mid-air! @kuzya92 #CapsWCH #WCH2016 pic.twitter.com/n04HIbupyk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 25, 2016
Kuznetsov would once again break out the bird celebration following his goal:
The Russian celly in the stands.
Team Canada’s Brad Marchand would tie the game 2-2 at 17:36, and that’s how the second period would end.
By Jon Sorensen