In a game dominated by Canada, it took a shootout to decide a winner against an out-matched U.S. squad in the opening game of the qualification round for both teams on Friday. The score did not refelct the flow of the game as Canda out-shot the Americans 51-20 and had the majority of the good scoring chances. If it weren't for U.S. goaltender Ty Conklin, seeing his first action of the tournament in the place of an ineffective Al Montoya, the game could have easily gotten out of hand for the Americans.
Conklin Stands Tall
Conklin, a St. Louis Blues backup, was in excellent position all game and thwarted several glorious goal scoring opportunities. His positioning and poise in the face of numerous Canadian offensive onslaughts resulted in shot after shot hitting him squarely in the chest protector. Some saves were more impressive, especially a big save on Jason Spezza in overtime. His teammates owe the point they earned in a losing effort entirely to their netminder.
Canadians Resilient
Canada started the game completely in control, pressuring the Americans in the offensive zone for most of the first period. Conklin kept the Americans in the game, and a physical first ended 0-0. For all the sustained Canadian effort, at 4:13 of the second a weak lob from the point by Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Komisarek snuck past a screen and Canadian netminder James Reimer, also a Leaf. The Canadians replied a few minutes later at 7:20, with an equally ugly goal, this time on a fan-shot by Brent Burns. Still pushing for the lead, a Canadian power play had just expired when Komisarek delivered a big hit, causing a turnover that sent Jack Johnson in alone on Reimer. Johnson scored on a nifty deke to give the Americans a 2-1 lead after two periods, despite being out-shot 29-11.
The Canadians did not look discouraged and kept peppering Conklin with shots. John Tavares knocked in a bouncing puck 3:27 into the third and then Jason Spezza wired a slapshot from the point on the power play to give the Canadians the lead at 5:22. The game appeared to be in control until a questionable slashing call on Cal Clutterbuck led to an American power play and a Derek Stepan goal at 11:27 that Reimer might want to have back. The game was 3-3 after regulation time.
Shootout Heroics
The game went into a five-minute, four-on-four overtime period which the Canadians again dominated, out-shooting the Americans 4-1 and nearly scoring when Jason Spezza was stoned by Conklin. When the horn sounded and the shootout loomed, Conklin's stout play looked like an advantage for the U.S. Reimer, who despite a shaky day facing only 20 shots, came up big, however, on the penalty shots, stopping both Jack Johnson and Blake Wheeler, allowing Jordan Eberle and Rick Nash to pot goals and give Canada a much-deserved 2 points. Jordan Eberle's heroics in the Team Canada jersey continue, again cementing his status as a regular go-to-guy in the clutch at any level of international competition. Rick Nash saw his hard work on the night pay off, as he had 8 shots on goal and was a driving force for the Canadian forwards all game.
Canada stays in Kosice to face a surprising Norway squad on Saturday at 16:15 (10:15 AM EST), and the Americans regroup to take on France at 20:15 (2:15 PM EST) later that day.
