Russians earn tie with Canada in Super Series

Last Updated: Saturday, September 8, 2007 | 1:36 AM ET

CBC Sports

Canada's attempt to sweep all eight games of the Super Series came to an end following a 4-4 tie with Russia on Friday night in Red Deer.

The Canadian junior squad needed to rally twice in the game with Sam Gagner, the series leader with six goals, salvaging the draw after a power-play goal in the third period.

Canada's Logan Pyett, right, collides with Russian Alexander Vasyunov during the first period of the Super Series Game on Friday night in Red Deer, Alta.
(Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

Kyle Turris, Logan Pyett and Brandon Sutter also scored for Canada.

Vyatcheslav Voinov, Evgeni Bodrov, Maxim Mamin and Alexander Vasyunov replied for the Russians, who played their best game of the Super Series.

Canadian goaltender Steve Mason allowed two goals on five shots before giving way to Jonathan Bernier, who made 12 of 14 saves.

Russian goalie Vadim Zhelobnyuk made 36 saves.

The Super Series is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series, and concludes Sunday in Vancouver (8 p.m. PT) with Canada sporting a 6-0-1 record.

Head coach Brent Sutter was honoured by Hockey Canada following Friday's game and given a standing ovation in front of the home crowd. Sutter will head back to New Jersey following Sunday's game to begin his first NHL coaching season with the Devils.

Sutter's coaching record with Canada's junior team is an impressive 18-0-1, making him the most successful coach in the team's history.

The Alberta native and former NHL player won consecutive gold medals as coach of Canada at the world junior hockey championships in 2005 and 2006.

Canada trailed 2-0 in the first period before Turris cut the deficit in half with 32 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Canadians briefly took the advantage in the second on goals from Pyett and Sutter, but Russia answered with a pair to close out the period.

Gagner pulled Canada even with a power-play goal at 1:32 of the third period.