On Friday night, the Bulldogs (7–3–2, 3–3–1 ECAC) overwhelmed the all-star team of the Russian Junior Hockey League with a 10–2 victory in their first game at Ingalls since before break.
While some of the best and brightest of the under-20 hockey world traveled to Ufa, Russia this week for the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship, the U.S. is still playing host to some high-level international hockey games. The junior Russian team is halfway through its three-week, eight-game U.S. tour, playing college and junior A hockey teams.
In the latest installment of the Russians’ tour, the Red Stars faced a Yale squad led by forward Antoine Laganiere ’13, who scored three goals for the hat trick, and Kenny Agostino ’14 and Nicolas Weberg ’15, who each tipped in two. Alex Ward ’15, Anthony Day ’15 and Cody Learned ’16 brought the Bulldogs’ tally up to 10, and the team finished the game three for six on the power play.
Yale outshot the Red Stars 58 to 23, thrilling the sellout crowd and impressing the NHL personnel and scouts who were in attendance, including Todd Marchant from the Anaheim Ducks, Craig MacTavish from the Edmonton Oilers and Rod Gilbert of the New York Rangers.
All three Yale net-minders saw some ice time — senior goalies Jeff Malcolm ’13 and Nick Maricic ’13 and sophomore Connor Wilson ’15 each played for a 20-minute period.
After two days of practice, team captain Andrew Miller ’13 said Friday night’s game was helpful for the team to get back in shape.
“We skated well and made some great team plays,” Miller said. “Hopefully that will continue in the next few weeks.”
Last year, the Bulldogs beat the Russian Touring Team by a smaller margin of 6–4, and the year before, 5–3. The Red Stars bested Army 6–2 on Thursday night.
The Junior Hockey League, based in Russia and its neighboring countries, is the primary feeder system for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Players range in age from 19 to 21 years.
The Bulldogs will next face off against Holy Cross at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Mass. on Sunday afternoon.