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Canada Concludes Exhibition Schedule On A Postive Note |
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In the final tune up before the real games start in the World Cup of Hockey Team Canada was able to outlast the Russians by a score of 3-2 in overtime. For much of the game Canada was in complete control, but like some of the other contests they just didn't convert on the many chances. This left the door open for Russia to stay in the game.
Here is how things shook out
Sergei Bobrovsky had an excellent game. He needed to otherwise this would have been a blowout.
For years the coaches of Team Canada have been searching for players that can find immediate chemistry with Sidney Crosby. This year's version of the World Cup has found a solution. Sid is amazing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The trio is a wrecking ball of success.
Crosby is finding this success even though Babcock is using him in a more defensive role.
With Crosby it doesn't take long for defense to turn into offense and that was on display with Canada's first goal of the night which featured and amazing exchange with Patrice Bergeron
The backhand shot Bergeron flashed on that goal was superb. You literally can't do any better than that.
Probably the best thing to come from this game was how Carey Price looked in net. It was a vast improvement from how he looked against the Americans in Canada's first exhibition game. Price was on his angles and seemed to be appropriately challenging the shooters the entire night. He made a few great saves on Alex Ovechkin before eventually ceding a goal to the best goal scorer of his generation in his favorite spot. Given his performance it is a safe bet that Canada will continue to go forward with Price as the #1 starter. Had he struggled again who knows what they would have done (other two options are very good).
Not stopping that.
As the third period was winding down I had to have had a thought that most neutral observers were having. Can Canada please score a goal so we can get some 3 on 3 overtime. Kudos to John Tavares for making that happen. The overtime was fun and was littered with high end talent. All it takes is one breakdown and on this night it was Ryan Getzlaf getting behind the Russians for a breakaway. He made a very slippery fake shot deke to open up Bobrovsky's five hole for the game winner. Bob knew he was had right away.
It isn't something that happens often but it is fun when Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin get to face off head to head. What made this edition nice was the fact the game was being played in Pittsburgh. Both players were greeted to admiration from the crowd. Both Sid and Geno finished with one assists each which isn't a shock. The shock was that Malkin earned his assist off of a faceoff which historically speaking has not been one of Geno's strengths. Sid tried throwing some shade on Geno's accomplishment after the game by playfully claiming some shady tactics on Malkin's tactics
Canada will kick off their tournament at 8PM on Saturday night against the Czech Republic. The game can be found on Sportsnet and ESPNEWS.
Thanks for reading!
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