Sports
Russia claim Channel One Cup
Published 22 December, 2008, 11:57
Russia's national ice hockey team have claimed the Channel One Cup for a fifth successive year. Their latest success came after demolishing Sweden 6-2 in Moscow. The World Champions are now unbeaten in last 22 games.
Euro Hockey Tour leaders, Russia, outclassed underdogs, Sweden, from the opening minutes of the match.
The hosts made up for their low power play efficiency in the tournament by scoring when actually being a man down themselves. Lokomotiv's Aleksey Mikhnov starting the play from the Russian half of the rink to make it 1-0.
In the middle of the second period Russian captain Aleksey Morozov’s shot was deflected by the Swedish keeper only for Aleksey Tereshchenko to find himself in the right place at the right time, to make it 2-0.
Five more goals followed in the third period. Vitali Atushov, Danis Zaripov, Sergey Moziakin made it 5-0 for Russia. Only then did Jimmie Eriksson manage to open the score for Sweden. After that a shot from Russia’s Denis Kouliash and another goal from Eriksson settled the final score, 6-2.
Russia remain unbeaten in this season's European hockey tour. With 17 points the team is far ahead of its nearest rivals the Czech republic.
The next stage of the tournament will take place in Sweden in February. If Russia win all the games there as well, they could raise the Eurotour trophy early, before the last stage in the Czech republic.
