Jonathan Bernier perfect against Russia
Laval netminder records Canada's only shutout after three games of Super Series with Russia
Despite all expectations, Laval's Jonathan Bernier was not in front of his country's net in the first game of the Canada-Russia eight-game Super Series on August 27. He had to wait until the second game before seeing any action.
But once on the ice, the first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2006 did not disappoint as he blanked the Russians 3-0 in front of a full house of 8,500 at Ufa.
The Saint-Vincent-de-Paul athlete stopped 23 shots, helping Canada to its second win in as many starts. It was his first game since suffering a sprained ankle last May at the Memorial Cup in a 5-1 loss by his Lewiston MAINEiacs against Plymouth.
"I was nervous at first because I still felt some pain in the ankle. But I'm happy about the way it turned out," Bernier told Courrier Laval in a telephone interview from Omsk in Russia. "The guys really played well in front of me. We had to kill off a lot less penalties than in the first game. The Russians are good. They're better than we are individually," he added.
Bernier couldn't see a thing
In a useless exercise, players from both teams skated around in their own ends between the second and third periods to try and disperse a mist that had built up in the arena, the result of high humidity and poor air conditioning. Although Bernier admitted he had difficulty seeing the puck at times, it didn't stop him from turning aside every shot thrown at him.
"It's a new rink. Our dressing rooms were not even finished yet. I think there was a problem with the ventilation system. The ice surface itself was in good shape," Bernier explained.
Surprising choice in first game
Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter opted to use the London Knights Steve Mason in the first game in Ufa, won by Canada 4-2, after falling behind 2-0. Mason stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced.
Sutter announced that he would use all three netminders in the first three games. After playing Mason and Bernier, it was Leland Irving of the Everett Silvertips who stood between the pipes, leading Canada to a 6-2 win in Omsk on August 31.
Because of his exceptional play, Bernier hopes he's forced Sutter's hand in using him more often the rest of the series. "Just like the other two goalies, I'd like to be in there for all the games, but I'll take whatever games I'm given," he said wisely.
Still to come
The Canada-Russia Super Series is a one-on-one competition of the best Under-20 players the two international hockey giants have to offer. The eighth and final game of the two-way battle is scheduled for September 9, in Vancouver, following three other games played in Canada where the action resumes in Winnipeg on September 4.
The two teams played the fourth and last game in Russia yesterday, September 1.
After Winnipeg, the teams move on to Saskatoon (September 5) and Red Deer (September 7), before the final whistle blows in Vancouver on September 9.
Photo:Jon
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Météo: Laval, 18 juillet 2008 / 22°C
/ Faible averse de pluie
/ Vents: 22 Km/h / Humidité relative: 83 % 
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