Despite missing forwards Danis Zaripov and Nikolay Zherdev – both out till the end of the tournament – the Russians didn’t give up their attacking style of play. Ilya Kovalchuk and Co. created a lot of chances but failed to score thanks to a great play from U.S. keeper Robert Esche and a lack of accuracy in front of the goal.

The first half saw no goals but the deadlock was broken on the fourth minute of the second after an enormous blooper from the Russian defense. They were calmly passing in their own half and lost their concentration, allowing Dustin Brown to rob them of the puck. The U.S. forward went one one-on-one with Bryzgalov and left him no chance, 1-0.

Russia came back into the match some eight minutes later. After the face in the U.S. zone the puck dapped to Kovalchuk, who shot without hesitation, 1-1.

But that wasn’t enough for the Russian captain as he masterminded his team’s second goal three minutes later. The Atlanta Thrashers’ star raced to the U.S. goals from his own half and his throw ricocheted from Alexander Frolov and went into Esche’s net.

But the U.S. equalized before the end of the period, converting a power play in style. A great diagonal pass from Ron Hainsey allowed Kyle Okposo to easily score into an open corner.

The final 20 minutes saw nervous hockey, but it was Russia who delivered the vital blow, punishing the Americans for their rudeness. Alexander Radulov’s shot in powerplay was deflected by Konstantin Gorovikov to make the score 3-2.

The U.S. had less then two minutes to equalize. They replaced the keeper with a field player, but failed to achieve their task.

Vyacheslav Bykov’s men now progress to the final of the World Championship to face Canada, who beat Sweden 3-1 in another semi-final.

Which means the hockey world has got the eagerly awaited repeat of last year’s epic final in which Russia came from behind to take the better of hosts Canada in overtime, 5-4.