Mikhail Naumenko scored the go-ahead goal in the first period, and Russia held off the challenges of the Lake Tahoe Blue in a tough 3-1 win.

A goal zero seconds into the first period by Naumenko proved to be the game winner, and powered Russia to the victory.

Naumenko had two goals to lead Russia to victory.

Russia was efficient when it shot the puck, scoring its goals on only four shots.

Russia's offense revolved around and Naumenko, who put and two shots on net. Russia relied heavily on its defensemen to assist its forwards, and the blueliners responded by scoring three goals on four shots.

Victor Antipin also scored for Russia. Other players who recorded assists for Russia were Nikita Gusev and Nail Yakupov, who each chipped in two.

Lake Tahoe did not challenge the opposing netminder, firing only two shots on net to force one save. The shot total fell below the Blue's season average of 3.2 shots per game.

Lake Tahoe was led by Tanner Pearson, who scored the team's only goal. Pearson scored zero seconds into the first period to make the score 1-0 Lake Tahoe. Tyler Toffoli provided the assist.

Russia's Pavel Suchkov stopped one shot out of the two that he faced. Russia finished the contest with no penalties and went 0-for-2 with the man advantage. Mark Visentin rejected one shot on goal for the Blue. Lake Tahoe incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors and had no power play opportunities.