Finland defenseman Sami Lepisto (18) squeezes US forward Patrick Kane (88) against the boards during the first period of an exhibition hockey game, part of the World Cup of Hockey in Washington on Tuesday, September 13. Canada won that tournament in 2004 and come into the 2016 event as the heavy favorite.
Advertisement
Being capable of doing so and actually doing it are two separate entities, and it’s the latter that could flummox our star-spangled skaters when the tournament begins Saturday at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
“Our team’s going to play with some risk”, he said.
OK fine, I get that it conflicts with a college football Saturday afternoon and after all… there must be an awesome college football matchup scheduled for broadcast by ESPN, one between Top 25 teams with incredibly high stakes and dire consequences for at least one of the team’s national championship hopes… We have a battle, get the lead. Group A features USA, Canada, the Czech Republic and Team Europe. Unlike the top IIHF-rated hockey countries such as Canada, the US, Sweden and Russian Federation, players like Bellemare of France and Zuccarello of Norway, among others, had to help his country earn the right for a place in the Olympics.
After each team plays three round-robin games, the top two in each group advance to the semifinals, to be played September 24 and 25.
In the event of a two-way tie, the victor of the head-to-head matchup between those teams advance. We can win in different fashions and thats what you need. If still tied after that, total regulation wins is used, then goal differential, then total goals scored.
SiriusXM Canada has been designated one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies seven years in a row and is now a Platinum Club Member, in addition to 2013, 2014 and 2015 rankings in PROFIT 500’s list of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies.
All of Team Canada’s forwards are all-star calibre. The Canadians will likely turn to former NHL MVP and Montreal golden boy Carey Price. In addition to the squad’s obvious talent, there’s plenty of grit, structure and certainly a will to represent the Red, White and Blue to the best of their hockey-playing ability.
So the USA feels the pieces are in place.
“Obviously it’s an honor to be the guy who’s going to start the tournament”, Bobrovsky said Thursday.
Trying to score on Jonathan Quick is no fun. The big question for them is if they’ll have enough scoring to contend. “It’s an easy commute for them and they’ll be at all the games and enjoying practices too I imagine”, he said.
Europe 6, Sweden 1 • Henrik Lundqvist got the hook after allowing five goals on 22 shots in Sweden’s loss to Team Europe.
Sweden: Boasting the deepest blue line in the tournament, the Swedes haven’t looked as threatening as everyone expected them to be during their pre-tournament games.
Finland: You can never count out Finland in an global tournament, but they’re abnormally young this year. The veteran started games in the 2014 Olympics, but he wasn’t the opening-night starter. Finland goaltender Tuukka Rask looks on during practice for the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. They will finish last in the Group B. “I’m going into my 10th year but feel like I’m a young kid at heart, like I’m still on my front nine here in the league”. If the team’s goaltending holds up, I think that the potent offense of Team North America will carry them to the title. He’s got great hockey sense, and he can read where it’s going to go. “He’s a pretty important part of our team”. Anyone want to wager just how little viewership North America-Finland draws in comparison to Packers-Vikings? But Team USA coach John Tortorella’s line juggling has been baffling and the player stats bear out that it’s a bit of a mess.
“Yeah, and I think that’s got to count for something”, Toews said. “But I think he’s ready for more responsibility and I’m ready to give to give it to him because he deserves it”.
“With the National Hockey League team, there isn’t 21 guys standing up and putting their leg over the board every power play”, said McLellan, whose day job is leading the Edmonton Oilers.
Why: I’d expect a highly-entertaining, physical series between the two clubs.
It’s possible. Maybe Canada is due.
Advertisement
Although their inexperience does show later into their game with a noticeable drop in activity from period to period, strong starts like Sunday Sept. 11’s 5-1 first period against Europe may be all that’s needed to keep them advancing through the tournament. At the time, Canada and the US were joined by Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Russia, Germany, and Slovakia.
