Russia coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov has opted to replace Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov with KHL goaltender Konstantin Barulin for Thursday's game against Denmark at the world championships, he told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Thursday’s game will be the Ak Bars Kazan player's first appearance at this year’s event in Finland and Sweden, although he played seven games at last year’s competition in Slovakia last year.
Varlamov tended goal for the first three games, including a 30-shot shutout against Germany in Russia’s 2-0 win Wednesday, but conceded in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Latvia and Sunday’s 4-2 defeat of Norway.
Russia is in second place in its group, behind Sweden which has played one more game. After Thursday’s game against Denmark, Russia faces Sweden on Friday before games against the Czech Republic and Italy.
Barulin, 27, became a KHL All-Star for the third time this past season. He joined Ak Bars from Moscow team Atlant earlier this month.
