For Zach Senyshyn it’s a familiar experience but for Colton White it’s a brand new experience.
The two Soo Greyhounds dressed for Team OHL as they faced Team Russia in the first of two games against the OHL Thursday night in North Bay in the CIBC Canada/Russia series.
The OHLers battled back from a 3-1 third period deficit to tie but the aggressive Russian squad recovered to edge Team OHL 4-3.
For newcomer White, who finished with a -2, it was an experience of a lifetime.
“I think it’s been a great experience coming here and playing with some pretty elite players, every one has a special talent and everyone is here for a reason and I think it was a pretty fun game to be a part of and it’s something I will remember forever,” noted White who will re-join the Greyhounds and will not dress for the second game which takes place Monday in Hamilton.
“It’s different than back home in junior but you have got to adjust quickly and adapt to it and keep playing your game,” added White who partnered on the back end with Wolves defenceman Kyle Capobianco and later in the game with Steelheads defender Nicolas Hague.
“I think my quick puck movement and me being able to skate pretty well I think it helps me on this ice and possibly internationally in the future.”
Senyshyn finished the game with two shots on goal and primarily lined up with captain and Saginaw Spirit forward Mitchell Stevens and Oshawa General Anthony Cirelli
Senyshyn got into action last year with Team OHL in their game in Owen Sound last November 12th. The Boston Bruins prospect will be suiting up for Team OHL again in the second game of the OHL vs Russia series which takes place Monday in Hamilton.
“It’s been a lot of fun and you know I was able to do this experience last year and it was great kind of meeting the guys and getting to see them this year obviously extremely elite players in the league obviously admire some of their styles of game and getting to work with them is a lot of fun,” said Senyshyn, who has five goals and two assists for seven points in 12 games so far this season.
Team OHL assistant coach Stan Butler was pleased with the play of the two Greyhounds.
“I thought both Soo guys were good, both Zach and Colton played pretty good,” said Butler.
“I don’t think anybody had a weak game, it’s just the competition you are playing; it’s an extremely strong team and that’s why it was an exciting good hockey game for the people.”
Team OHL and Erie Otters bench boss Kris Knoblauch was impressed with the start and finish by the OHLers who only practiced together for the first time today.
“The first five or 10 minutes were pretty good and the same in the last 10 minutes but in between we are slow to get to pucks and the support just wasn't there and those little things there are very important. I don’t think we had the puck enough just because of that little thing,” said Knoblauch.
Game Story
Russan forward German Rubstov walked in and beat Evan Cormier as it deflected off Logan Stanley for the tough bounce which gave Russia the lead after some good puck possession in the Canadian zone to open the scoring.
Canada responded on a nice three-way passing play on the power play as Steelheads triggerman Michael McLeod found the far post on a quick feed from behind the net by Owen Tippett and Jordan Kyrou at 6:22 beating Russian netminder Vladislav Sukhachev, who was solid overall wearing the Tretiak #20 jersey and turning away 29 shots in the Russian win.
Russia regained the lead as Rubstov walked into the slot and waited out Cormier and beat him upstairs to give the visitors a 2-1 lead at 3:27 and for Flyers prospect his second goal of the period just after Canada had killed off a Givani Smith penalty.
Senyshyn had his best chance in the final minute as coming in as the trailer Mitchell Stephens fed the Greyhounds speedster but he couldn’t corral the pass.
In the second, Cormier bailed out Stanley as he made an excellent save with the Russian forward Nikita Li in all alone after intercepting Stanley’s clearing pass which made it 2-1 Russia.
A quick passing play by the Russians translated into a Dmitri Sokolov goal on a feed from Kiriil Belyaev. which gave the Russians the 3-1 lead.
Midway through the third, Team OHL had a glorious opportunity as they were awarded a 1:10 5-on-3 power play.
The OHL cashed in as Mascherin took a rebound off the backboards to cut the Russian lead to 3-2.
Moments later, Cirelli put home a juicy rebound in the slot to even the score at 3-3 at 14:10 of the third period.
Russia didn’t take long to restore the lead as Kiriil Urakov beat Cormier again on a nifty passing play from behind the net at 14:34.
With the goalie pulled the Russians were assessed a late delay of game penalty which Canada could not capitalize on.
The Russians, who now hold a 2-1 lead in the series after Thursday’s win over Team OHL and their split against the WHL last week.