December 29, 2012

Canada's National Junior Team coach Steve Spott and Scott Harrington during practice in Calgary, Saturday Dec 15, 2012. (Darren Makowichuk/QMI AGENCY)

UFA, Russia - Team Canada was down a couple of bodies going into their game against the U.S. Sunday, but as the number of forwards in the stands and the accusations of dirty play against them mounted, the Canadians weren’t making any apologies -- or planning on changing the way they’re playing.

Good on them.

Canadian defenceman Scott Harrington is a quiet and steady force on the blueline whose standup play and willingness to do the grunt work earned him the coach’s cape after Canada’s 6-3 win over Slovakia.

The dark cape, with “The Reason” emblazoned on the back, is awarded to the player the coaches think was key to the team’s effort.