Although there were some
magical moments, this
clash between eternal rivals won't be forever
remembered in the national psyche like many of the
classic Canada vs. Russia hockey battles of the
past.
Canada was too dominant on this nice, operating with
precise efficiency to ease the nail-biting caused by
the unmatchable dkill of the Russians. The final
score: Canada 3 Russia 1.
The game started with an air of caution after the
Russians easily handled the Americans two nights
before. Ilya Kovalchuk in particular was dangerous
with his booming shots from the slot, one which hit
the goal post.
Canada
took over completely once they
potted two goals in less than two minutes early in
the second. Simon Gagne set up Brad Richards for a
nice two-on-one break while shorthanded. Just 1:37
later Kris Draper followed up a rush and was
rewarded with a loose puck and open net. Canada's
physical defense then kicked in, not allowing the
shifty Russian skaters to penetrate the slot any
more.
Conspiracy
theorists might suggest the Russians were playing
possum in this one, starting little-known goaltender
Maxim Sokolov — a 32-year-old without a minute of
NHL experience — and holding back Ilya Bryzgalov,
the Mighty Ducks' backup who played very well in
Russia's dominating 3-1 victory over the U.S. on
Thursday.
At
the other end of the net, Martin Brodeur play
typically solid, although he admitted he was anxious
about playing the Russians for the first time in his
career.
"Those
guys are skilled players and a lot of them, when I
play in New Jersey, have my number a little bit. I
was concentrating on being sharp out there," he
said.
Brodeur's most brilliant save came late in the
second period when he robbed Alexander Frolov alone
in front.
Mario
Lemieux continues to improve into game shape. Having
not played competitively for 10 months, Super
Mario's progress has been a bit slower than most
people had hoped, but his assist on Joe Sakic's goal
was a thing of beauty.
The
Air Canada Center, and likely much of Canada,
instantly quieted in the first period when Lemieux
writhed in pain after being kneed in the head.
Lemieux was fine fortunately.
The
win wraps up top spot in the North American pool for
a Team Canada that has a perfect 3-0 record and has
given up only three goals, while breezing through
its first three games. Though it's not set in stone,
it likely assures that Canada will face Slovakia in
Wednesday's quarter-final at the Air Canada Centre.
There is an outside chance the Slovaks, the weakest
World Cup team on this side of the Atlantic, could
pull themselves out of the basement with a victory
here tonight over the Russians. That would put them,
the Russians and the Americans in a three-way tie at
1-2, with seedings decided by goal differential. But
the Slovaks would have to win by six tonight to move
ahead of the United States into third place. Canada
beat the Slovaks 5-1 in the round robin.
|
Legends
of Team Canada Book Oct 2004
|
