Russia wins EYOWF gold in Liberec

Russia won the gold medal in ice hockey at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Liberec on Friday, defeating Finland in the final game in overtime.

The six-team under-17 tournament, which featured players that will be eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, was part of a week-long festival of youth sports, in which athletes from around Europe competed in various sports. The fans who entered Liberec's Tipsport Arena to watch the hockey final were treated to a dramatic finish.

Action from the European Youth Olympic gold medal game
between Russia and Finland. Photo: eyowf2011.cz.

After a scoreless first period, Russia's Vadim Khlopotov and Finland's Mikko Tauriainen traded second period markers, and the teams were once again scoreless in the third. At 3:21 of overtime, Viacheslav Osnovin was the hero for Russia, as he scored the winning goal. Mikhail Grigorenko had an assist for Russia, and he was the tournament's overall leading scorer with 5 points (2 goals and 3 assists) in 3 games.

In Thursday night's bronze medal game, Switzerland defeated the host Czech team 5-1, led by 2 goals from left-winger Nico Dünner. The Czech goal was scored by Patrik Machač, who led the team overall with 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games.

On Thursday afternoon, Latvia defeated Slovakia 4-3 to finish fifth.