Sergeev, Artem

The Lightning had five prospects at the 2013 Under-20 World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia, and four came away with medals.

Here’s a look how each prospect fared, and what their future might look like.

Nikita Kucherov, RW, Russia
7 Games Played, 5-3-8, +4, 4 PIM, 21 SOG

While Kucherov may only remember his missed shootout attempt against Sweden in the semifinals right now, years from now will look at his Bronze medal and be satisfied with his play throughout the competition. Kucherov was arguably Russia’s best forward in the tournament, though Mikhail Grigorenko (Sabres) was the only forward named among the team’s three best by the coaches at tournament’s end. In the opinion of TSN commentator Ray Ferraro, Kucherov was the team’s best forward. He and Grigorenko were by far the most consistent and dangerous forwards for the Russians at the event, and the two were responsible for 14 points together.

Sweden 3 vs. Russia 2 (SO)
Nikita Kucherov, Russia, 0-1-1, +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 6 GP, 5-3-8, +5, 4 PIM

Nikita Nesterov, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 6 GP, 0-3-3, +2, 2 PIM

Artem Sergeev, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 6 GP, 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM

Andrey Vasilevskiy, Russia, Shootout Loss, 38/41, 2.77 GAA, .927 sv%
Tournament totals: 4 GP, 3-0-1, 1 SO, 1.81 GAA, .950 sv%

Sweden's Sebastien Collberg scored the only goal of the penalty shot session to stamp his team's ticket to the Gold Medal Match in a 3-2 win over Russia. Russian goaltender Andrey Vasilevskiy stopped 2 of 3 in the shootout for the shootout loss. Forward Nikita Kucherov assisted on Mikhail Grigorenko's goal in the Third Period to help force Overtime, but was stopped on Russia's last shootout attempt. Russia plays Canada on Saturday in the Bronze Medal Match after Team USA upended the Canadians 5-1 in the day's other Semifinal.

Kucherov currently sits tied for 4th in the tournament in scoring.

Switzerland 3 vs. Czech Republic 4 (OT)
Tanner Richard, Switzerland, 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 4 GP, 0-4-4, +1, 2 PIM

Tomas Hertl's overtime goal lifted Czech Republic to a 4-3 win over Switzerland in their final game of the Round Robin. Switzerland overcame a 2 goal Third Period deficit to force extra time, but took their third after-regulation loss of the tournament. The Swiss finished in third place in Pool A after the Finns lost to Sweden today. They draw Russia on Wednesday in the opener of the Playoff Round.

Russia 1 vs. Canada 4
Nikita Kucherov, Russia, 1-0-1, +1, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Tournament totals: 4 GP, 3-1-4, +3, 2 PIM

Nikita Nesterov, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 4 GP, 0-2-2, +2, 0 PIM

Artem Sergeev, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Tournament totals: 4 GP, 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM

Andrey Vasilevskiy, Russia, DNP
Tournament totals: 2 GP, 2-0-0, 1 SO, 0.96 GAA, .973 sv%

Nikita Kucherov scored Russia's only goal in their 4-1 loss to Canada. Defenseman Nikita Nesterov was named Russia's best player in the defeat. Andrey Vasilevskiy sat backup to Andrei Makarov, who made 44 saved for the Russians. Russia finished in second in Pool B. They face the Swiss Wednesday in the Playoff Round.

Germany 0 vs. Russia 7
Nikita Kucherov, Russia, 1-1-2, +1, 0 PIM, 5 SOG
Tournament totals: 3 GP, 2-1-3, 2 PIM, +2, 0 PIM

Nikita Nesterov, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Tournament totals: 3 GP, 0-2-2, +2, 0 PIM

Artem Sergeev, Russia, 0-0-0, +1, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Tournament totals: 3 GP, 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM

Andrey Vasilevskiy, Russia, Win, SO, 41/41, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 sv%
Tournament totals: 2 GP, 2-0-0, 1 SO, 0.96 GAA, .973 sv%

Andrey Vasilevskiy turned away 41 shots in a 7-0 blanking of Germany. Forward Nikita Kucherov chipped in the game opening goal and a power play helper in the winning effort. Russia will finish up their Round Robin on Monday against Canada in a game that will determine the winner of Pool B.

Sweden 3 vs. Switzerland 2 (SO)
Tanner Richard, Switzerland, 0-0-0, -1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 2 GP, 0-3-3, +1, 2 PIM

Victor Rask's shootout tally lifted Sweden to a 3-2 shootout victory over Switzerland. Switzerland took Sweden to the brink, and held a lead into the Third Period on Mike Kunzle's third goal of the tournament, but they could not hold off the defending Gold Medalists. Tanner Richard was scoreless in the match and took a minor for high sticking that turned into Sweden's opening goal of the game. He was also 50% on draws. The Swiss now sit in 2nd place on the Group A table with games against Finland and Czech Republic yet to go. They face the Finns next on Sunday.

Russia 2 vs. USA 1
Nikita Kucherov, Russia, 0-0-0, E, 2 PIM, 3 SOG
Tournament totals: 2 GP, 1-0-1, +1, 2 PIM

Nikita Nesterov, Russia, 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Tournament totals: 2 GP, 0-2-2, +2, 0 PIM

Artem Sergeev, Russia, 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Tournament totals: 2 GP, 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM

Andrey Vasilevskiy, Russia, DNP
Tournament totals: 1 GP, 1-0-0, 0 SO, 1.85 GAA. .941 sv%

Artem Sergeev (pictured) assisted on Viktor Tkachyov's goal early in the Third Period that gave Russia a critical 2-1 win over Team USA. Sergeev's helper means that all Lightning prospects have now found the scoresheet in Ufa, through the first two games of the Round Robin. Fellow Lightning prospect defenseman Nikita Nesterov also had a helper in the match, assisting an Albert Yarullin goal on the power play. Forward Nikita Kucherov took a holding minor in the match, and was in the box for Jacob Trouba's lone goal for the Americans. Andrey Vasilevskiy sat backup to undrafted Saskatoon netminder Andrei Makarov who turned away 41 shots for the win. Russia faces Germany next on Saturday and sits 2nd behind Canada on the Group B table.