2006-07 National Men's Under-18 Team

CANADA INTO UNDER-18 SEMI-FINAL AFTER BIG WIN OVER RUSSIANS

RAUMA, FINLAND – The big line was just that Tuesday as Canada moved into the semi-final at the 2007 IIHF World Under-18 Championship following a 5-2 win over Russia.

Steven Stamkos (Unionville, ON/Sarnia, OHL), Zachary Boychuk (Airdrie, AB/Lethbridge, WHL) and Jamie Arniel (Kingston, ON/Guelph, OHL) all found the back of the net as Canada scored three times in the first 10 minutes of the second period to break open a 1-1 tie on their way to victory.

Just four minutes after the Russians opened the scoring, Arniel picked up the puck off a turnover at the Russian blueline and blasted a shot through goaltender Vadim Zhelobnyuk, pulling the Canadians even through 20 minutes.

The Boychuk-Stamkos-Arniel trio struck again in the opening minute of the second, as good work by Stamkos and Arniel left Boychuk with an open net, giving Canada its first lead.

Canadian captain Angelo Esposito (Montreal, QC/Quebec, QMJHL) got his first of the tournament eight minutes later, firing the puck past Zhelobnyuk right off a face-off win.

Yves Bastien (Dowling, ON/Peterborough, OHL) pushed the Canadian lead to three and chased Zhelobnyuk from the net just 1:04 later, taking a beautiful bounce pass off the boards from defenceman Drew Doughty (London, ON/Guelph, OHL) and tucking a backhand far side on the Russian goaltender.

Sergey Korostin got the Russians to within a pair late in the middle frame, but Stamkos would restore the three-goal lead and round out the scoring just 51 seconds into the third period, scoring with Canada on a two-man advantage. Doughty picked up his second assist of the game on the goal.

Trevor Cann (Oakville, ON/Peterborough, OHL) was solid in the Canadian goal, turning aside 27 shots for the win.

Canada is now off until Friday, when it will take to the ice for its semi-final, which will be shown live on TSN. Check your local listings for more.