Russia's goaltender Ilya Sorokin saves a shot by Denmark's Nikolaj Ehlers during the shootoutChris Young/The Canadian Press
Nikolay Goldobin scored the game winner in the shootout, helping Russia avoid an early upset with a 3-2 win over Denmark on the opening day of the world junior hockey championship.
Maxim Mamim's goal early in the third period enabled the Russian's to erase a two-goal deficit, setting the stage for Goldobin's heroics in the shootout. Sergei Tolchinksy also scored for Russia in the shootout as netminder Ilya Sorokin stopped both Danish attempts.
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Nikolaj Ehlers, a first round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2014, helped Denmark to an early 2-0 lead with power-play goals less than three minutes apart in the first period.
Georg Sorensen made 37 saves for Denmark, who will face Sweden on Saturday. Russia will take on Switzerland next on Sunday in Group B action.