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World Juniors: Nugent-Hopkins paces Canada to 4-1 win over Russia, semis berth

HKO Canada Junior 20121211

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, from Burnaby, B.C., skates during the National Junior hockey team selection camp in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Jeff McIntosh

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins notched three assists, including one on Mark Schiefele’s game-winner, as Canada defeated Russia 4-1 in the final group game of the 2013 World Junior Championships.

With the win, Canada finished atop Group B with a perfect 4-0 record and earned an automatic spot in the tournament semifinals.

Schiefele’s deciding tally came after Russian forward Valeri Nichushkin was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for hitting Canadian defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon from behind.

Canada scored twice on the ensuing power play -- one from Schiefele, one from Dougie Hamilton -- with Nugent-Hopkins assisting on both.

The Nuge collected his third assist of the game on Jonathan Drouin’s second period insurance marker, and Jonathan Huberdeau salted the victory away with an empty-net goal late in the third.

Russia’s lone goal came courtesy Nikita Kuckerov, who scored with less than three minutes left in the opening frame to cut Canada’s lead to 2-1.

Russia had a chance for a second when Vladimir Tkachyov was awarded a penalty shot with 20 seconds left, but he was stoned by Canadian goalie Malcolm Subban, who stopped 20 of 21 shots on the night.

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