Canada vs. USA - Olympics Round Robin Recap

This game was set to be an exciting matchup between two fierce rivals. Both teams are made up of professional hockey players from various leagues around the world as well as a collection of younger players. Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) and Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken) are just a few of the noteworthy young players on team USA. It was expected that USA’s youth and speed might be an issue for Canada, but generally it was seen as an even matchup.

(Canada's captain, Eric Staal [middle in this picture] had 4 penalty minutes in this game)

1st Period:

Canada opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game when Mat Robinson scored a goal assisted by Josh Ho-Sang and Canada’s captain Eric Staal. That lead didn’t last for long as the USA tied it up off the rush as Andy Miele scored USA’s first goal of the game.

After the wild first 2 and a half minutes, the game tightened up a bit. The teams traded chances all period with Pasquale (CAN) and Mann (USA) making plenty of high-quality saves. Ben Meyers gave USA the lead 2-1, burying a goal five-hole on Pasquale with a minute and a half left in the period.

2nd Period:

Canada’s Mason McTavish broke out on a 2-on-1 and narrowly missed scoring a game-tying goal, hitting the crossbar. Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights prospect) scores USA’s 3rd goal of the game roughly 3 minutes into the period. That goal tipped the momentum in favour of the USA, who had multiple high danger scoring chances shortly afterward.

Canada took the first penalty of the game as Eric Staal was given 2 minutes for elbowing. Canada’s Corban Knight scored the first shorthanded goal of the whole tournament to cut the US lead to 1 goal. Canada got their first powerplay of the game as USA’s Kenny Agostino took a charging penalty. The momentum really swung in Canada’s direction to end the period

3rd Period:

Canada’s Eric Staal got a slashing penalty only 7 seconds into the 3rd period which cancelled out the remaining seconds of Canada’s powerplay and offered USA their second powerplay of the game. Team USA renews their two-goal lead as Kenny Agostino scores on a slapshot to make it 4-2 USA. Canada was all over the USA for much of the 3rd period but had serious trouble beating the American goaltender Strauss Mann.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matt Knies was called for a hooking penalty with 7 minutes left to give Canada a chance to cut down the USA lead once again on the powerplay. Shortly after, USA’s Steven Kampfer took a high sticking penalty to give Canada a 5-on-3 powerplay for 31 seconds. Canada had many good scoring chances in the final minutes and pulled their goalie with about 2 minutes left in the game to have an extra attacker. Canada was unable to score with the extra man and the USA won by a score of 4-2.

(USA captain Andy Miele scored a goal and an assist in the USA's 4-2 win over Canada)

3 stars

3rd star: Daniel Winnik (CAN) 1 assist

2nd star: Andy Miele (USA) 1 goal and 1 assist

1st star: Strauss Mann (USA) 35 saves on 37 shots (94.6% save percentage)

What Does This Mean?

With their win tonight, the USA is poised to lead Pool A of the Olympic round robin tournament with Canada in second place. I do not think it is a wise decision for Canada to return to Eddie Pasquale in their next game on Sunday against China, as he was rather disappointing in this game and let in at least two goals that he shouldn’t. I would personally love to see Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi get a chance in net against team China as he has real NHL starting goaltender potential. Pasquale is one of the best goalies in the KHL, but Levi could become a really solid goalie in the NHL which is a big difference.

Losing this game likely means that Canada will face a slightly tougher matchup in the quarterfinal round than team USA will, which is ultimately not the worst fate, as long as they can build off this performance and use it as a chance to improve. Here’s to hoping we see Levi make it into a game.

What's Next?

Canada’s next game is against team China who have only played one game so far, losing 8-0 to team USA. This is the kind of game where Canada will have the freedom to explore and experiment with new ideas, such as playing their young, talented players on the first powerplay unit, as well as (hopefully) giving their other goaltenders a chance to prove themselves before the quarterfinals arrive. That game is coming on Sunday morning and should be a fun one (at least for Canadian fans).