U20 4-Nations: Team Russia Wrap-up

Russia prevailed at the under-20 Four Nations tournament in Stupino finishing with a 3-0 record, including a 4-1 defeat of second-place Sweden. Correspondent Evgeny Belashchenko provides insight on select participants on the squad, the best of which will play for Russia at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

LINE 1:

Forwards: Shirokov (A) - Churilov (C+) - Lemtyugov (B+)

Defense: Zubarev (A) - Buravchikov (B+)

Sergei Shirokov (2006)

Very strong tournament - named the top forward. Chemistry with Lemtyugov (St.Louis Blues) from CSKA transferred effectively to international level.

Nikolai Lemtyugov (StL)

Solid, but was not as effective as his Shirokov. Skating shortcomings are apparent, but he effectively kept up with the action.

Gennady Churilov (2006)

Did not look as effective as he did with Lokomotiv (Yaroslavl) of the Super League. Needs more time to adjust to the international level after playing a year in Canadian junior.

Andrei Zubarev (Atl)

Played very well throughout the tournament. Was aggressive and physical. Very reliable.

Vyacheslav Buravchikov (Buf)

Played well for most of the tournament, but made a critical mistake just 11 seconds into the game against Sweden, allowing a breakaway that was fortunately stopped by Kasutin. Improved defensively, but still has a ways to go to get to the level of defensive reliability of a guy like Zubarev. A talented, smooth skating defenseman with a strong shot.

LINE 2:

Forwards: Lisin (C+) - Yunkov (C+) - Ketov (B+)

Defense: Emelin (A+) - Bodrov (A-)

Enver Lisin (Phx)

Did not impress. Often took too much of the game upon himself, overhandling the puck. This is nothing new, however, as the young forward has been criticized for this in the Superleague throughout this season. That said, the speedy winger had little to prove and little motivation, as he is a lock for the U20 squad. Seemed to wake up in the final game against the Czechs, playing with a lot of speed and aggressiveness, assisting on two of Russia's three goals.

Mikhail Yunkov (Wsh)

Never really found a common language with Lisin who would often just take the puck and run with it. Yunkov was reliable defensively, but didn't display a lot in the offensive end. The young center also has not played a lot this year, as he has been used sparingly by Kazan's head coach Zinetula Belyaletdinov.

Evgeny Ketov (2006)

Very strong tournament - one of his first for the national team. Does not stand out in any particular category, but is very reliable and does not shy away from physical contact in open ice or along the boards. A reliable workhorse of a forward with solid defensive work ethic - a prototypical product of Pavel Vorobiev's hockey school in Togliatti. Scored two goals in the final game, but markers being the result of his intense work on rebounds near the crease.

Alexei Emelin (Mtl)

Named top defender. Very reliable in his own end and, as the rest of the team's corps, he did not contribute much offensively. Very good positionally. Has matured and learned to channel his emotions better, whereas his nerves got the better of him at last year's under-20 World Juniors. He and Bodrov were used extensively in shorthanded situations, especially a couple of 5-on-3 episodes versus Sweden and Finland, spending a good minute and a half out there. Has made tremendous strides over the past year.

LINE 3:

Forwards: Zakiev (B-) - Zyuzin (B) - Kulemin (B+)

Defense: Aksenenko (B) - Nikitin (StL) (B+)

Nikolai Kulemin (2006)

A much better player this season due to increased maturity. Improved understanding of the game and work ethic. Showed some nifty dangle and even attempted a Mike Legg-style goal, when trying to wrap the puck over the goalie's shoulder when behind the net. Did not score, but he gave it a shot.

LINE 4:

Forwards: Sopin (C-) - Zubov (Ott) (B-) - Parshin (Col) (C+)

Defense: Biryukov - Anikeenko (Ott)

Alexei Sopin (2006)

Not ready for this level of hockey. Way behind the pace and looked completely out of place. Not ready for the World Juniors.

Ilya Zubov (Ott)

Could not convert on a couple of great chances, but may be the most intelligent and mature player on the entire squad. Trusted in defensive situations by the staff, killing off penalties, including the 5-on-3.

Denis Parshin (Col)

Not great and has looked better with CSKA than with the national team.

Evgeny Biryukov (2006)

The reliable, consistent stay-at-home defenseman gets the job done without much flash. Made good adjustment from the Superleague onto the international arena.

Vitaly Anikeenko (Ott)

Looked slow and not as effective as most of his defensive mates. It seems unlikely that he will make the World Junior team unless a pending turnaround follows pronto.

GOALTENDING:

Ivan Kasutin (2006) (B+)

Positive showing showing. Solid, stable and reliable with a calmness about him. Would have gotten an A if he had not allowed a weak goal against Finland which was entirely of his doing.

AWARDS:

Top Forward: Sergei Shirokov

Top Goalie: Daniel Larsson

Top Defenseman: Alexei Emelin

FINAL STANDINGS:

1. Russia

2. Sweden

3. Finland

4. Czech Republic