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Prince George, B.C. – Denis Alexeev scored 55 seconds into overtime to lead Team Russia to a 3-2 win over Team WHL in game one of the CIBC Canada Russia Series at the CN Centre in Prince George last night.

It was a game the Russians never trailed claiming their first lead just 1:13 into the first period on a goal by Nikikta Li on Team WHL netminder Connor Ingram.

Team WHL replied at 10:15 of the first when Jansen Harkins of the hometown Prince George Cougars scored off a nice feed from Deven Sideroff.

The Russians held off the hard charging Canadian squad with great goaltending from Anton Krasotkin until they regained the lead when captain Danila Kvartalnov snapped a hard shot from the slot past Ingram 3:46 into the third.

However, Canada wasn’t finished and were rewarded with a greasy goal from Anaheim Ducks prospect Sam Steel on a power-play at 9:34 of the third on a goal mouth scramble.

And that’s how things would stand until Alexeev stunned the near capacity crowd of 5,802 early in the extra frame.

Jansen Harkins, who not only scored but was stoned by Krasotkin on a second period period chance and who made a great defensive play – muscling the puck off Philadelphia Flyer prospect German Rubstov negating a great scoring chance in the third period – was named player of the game for Team WHL.

Alexeev was rewarded with player of the Game for Team Russia. The final shots on goal were 34-21 for Team WHL. The WHL squad went 1-7 on the power play while Russia was 0/3.

The series shifts to Edmonton for game two tonight.