Canada reverses course
Crowd treated to solid victory
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
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Team U.S.A.'s Doug Weight (39) slides into Team Canada's goaltender Roberto Luongo as teammate Brenden Morrow (10) looks on during first period World Cup of Hockey exhibition action at the Corel Centre in Ottawa Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004. (CP Photo/Jonathan Hayward) |
Okay Canada, get back on the bandwagon.
While the World Cup tournament doesn't officially get under way until next week, Team Canada delivered a strong message with an overpowering 3-1 victory over Team USA last night at the Corel Centre.
After sleepwalking through a 3-1 loss to the Americans on Monday in Columbus, Ohio, the Canadians looked energized, organized and crisp with goals from Brad Richards, Vinny Lecavalier and Joe Sakic in front of a sellout crowd of 18,500.
SOLID GOALTENDING
Not only did Canada receive a solid performance from goalies Jose Theodore, who made 18 saves on 19 shots, and starter Roberto Luongo (eight saves), the club also limited the U.S. scoring chances. Chris Drury replied for the Americans.
"We talked a lot before this game about making sure we improve every day," said Richards, who made his debut on a line with captain Mario Lemieux and Martin St. Louis. "That was a step in the right direction. I thought we played a lot better.
"We improved our play at both ends of the ice and we did a good job away from the puck. It's easy for me to say because I watched the last game (from the press box), but I really believe as a team we played better and that's good because we don't have much time to prepare."
Trying to shake up the club following an indifferent game in Columbus, coach Pat Quinn moved Sakic onto a line with Jarome Iginla and Patrick Marleau, while Lecavalier skated along side Ryan Smyth and Dany Heatley. Joe Thornton, Brenden Morrow and Shane Doan formed the fourth line.
The only group that remained together was Lemieux with St. Louis and Richards. Making their debut after being scratched in Game 1, they looked good together and a created a number of scoring chances. It was Richards who put the game away with a shot through Ty Conklin's legs in the second period.
It was a tough night for Conklin, who was beaten through the five-hole on all three goals.
"We had elements to our game (last night) that I thought were missing in the first game," said Iginla. "We definitely had better intensity, we were more physical and strong away from the puck.
VYING FOR NO. 2 JOB
Still, the Canadians couldn't have done it without Theodore, who was solid coming on in relief for Luongo midway through the second period. Theodore robbed Brian Rolston on a breakaway in the second as he made his push to be the No. 2 goalie behind Martin Brodeur.
"I don't control what's going to happen. This may have been my only opportunity to show what I can do and I wanted to make sure that I took advantage of it," said Theodore.
Though the Canadians will face the Americans in the tournament opener Tuesday in Montreal, the U.S. was unfazed by last night's loss.
"We just made some mistakes that you can't make against a talented team like Canada," said U.S. blueliner Brian Leetch. "You turn the puck over to guys like Heatley, Lecavalier, Sakic and Lemieux, they're going to make you pay for them.
"I don't know if this performance was that much different than (Monday). They did some things differently with their forecheck, but we'll make some adjustments and we'll get better to play them next week."
