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Canada Outplays Team USA For Second Straight Game |
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There wasn't much time for the teams to rest. Team Canada faced off against Team USA on home soil in Ottawa less than 24 hours after the first matchup, a 4-2 American victory, ended.
There were some similarities in the second matchup. The first is that both teams played incredibly physical yet again. Exhibition game or not both of these teams played as though something was on the line. Neither country likes to lose to the other one. That much is clear.
For the United States their physicality backfired in the sense that they were shorthanded eight times. Canada was able to score three power play goals. While it is true that Canada took a lot of penalties (5) as well they have more ability and talent to absorb that kind of thing.
Another similarity is that the Canadians once again outplayed the Americans. Canada once again had the better control of even-strength action and the cornucopia of power plays sure didn't hurt either.
Canada ended up out attempting the United States 64-48 in all situations and 40-30 at even-strength. Shots were 38-23 in favor of Canada
Standouts for Canada included Alex Pietrangelo and Brent Burns who were the leaders in being able to generate shot attempts.
Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand continue to play great hockey. Last night they were centered by their former Bruin teammate Tyler Seguin. It was Seguin in the middle because Sidney Crosby was given the night off. Mike Babcock didn't feel like playing his best player in yet another physical exhibition game.
Here is a nice play by Seguin that led to a goal
John Tavares scored twice and he is almost an afterthought on this roster which is incredibly scary.
Drew Doughty added two assists and he now has a goal and three points in the two games so far.
The biggest difference for Team USA from Friday to Saturday was the fact that they did not get high level goaltending. Jonathan Quick's excellent game hid a lot of warts for the United States, but on Saturday night they did not receive a .970 performance. They instead received .868 from both Cory Schneider (.833) and Ben Bishop (.929).
When the two teams meet for real next time it would be hard pressed to think anything outside of a United States goalie playing on their head will net a United States victory. Canada has shown twice now that they are the better team not that it was ever in doubt.
Moving forward both teams will continue their exhibition schedule which will consist of playing different teams. Canada's next game with be against Alex Ovechkin and the other high octane forwards on Russia. The game will be on Wednesday, September 14 on Sportsnet and ESPN2.
Thanks for reading!
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