Monday, May 07, 2012

Sharp puts up five in Canada's blowout of France


While defeating the French by a score of 7-2 doesn't come as much of a surprise, the outcome may just be what Team Canada needs to right their ship moving forward. The newly formed line of Jamie Benn, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Patrick Sharp led the charge with a combined eleven points and Devan Dubnyk made nineteen saves in his first start of the tournament. With the win, Canada improves their record to 2-0-1 with and will look to continue on their winning ways, as they prepare to faceoff against Switzerland on Wednesday morning.

Playing Benn with Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins is exactly what Team Canada needs


Heading into this year's World Championships, Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter and his staff were hoping the combination of Jamie Benn on a line with the Anaheim duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry could prove to be Canada's top unit. Having the two Olympians skating alongside the Dallas Stars young winger, had the potential of  a dynamic trio. That being said, two games into the tournament, the three have had less then favourable results. While Benn and Perry have both struggled, it is Getzlaf who has dragged the line down to the point of being non-existent.

Sunday, May 06, 2012

USA Outlasts Team Canada In Sloppy OT Thriller


Outside of strong efforts from John Tavares and Jeff Skinner upfront and a solid game from defenceman Duncan Keith, Team Canada forgot to show up against a hard working Team USA side. Despite being badly outplayed, Canada somehow managed to get this one into to overtime but ultimately lost 5-4, courtesy of Jack Johnson's power play winner. Johnson led the way for the Americans with a pair of goals, while Tavares and Keith each chipped in with a goal and an assist, in the losing effort.

Friday, May 04, 2012

Eberle scores, Burrows hurt in Canada's opener


Second period goals from Edmonton Oilers winger Jordan Eberle and Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd helped Team Canada edge Slovakia 3-2, in both teams opening game of the 2012 World Championships. Jamie Benn was the other Canadian marksman to beat  Peter Hamerlik in the Slovakian goal, while Everett Silvertips highly touted prospect Ryan Murray made his much anticipated debut playing alongside Chicago Blackhawks blueliner Duncan Keith. On the negative side of the ledger, Canada lost the services of Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows midway through the second period to an apparent concussion, after an on ice collision resulted in the feisty winger slamming his head hard on the ice. The focus will now shift to Team USA, as Canada will prepare to faceoff against their border rivals on Saturday morning and look to stay perfect through the first two round robin games.

Team Canada - 2012 World Championships Preview


With Team Canada set to kick off their World Championships schedule against Slovakia on Friday morning on TSN at 9am Eastern, I felt it would be as good a time as any to see what this team has in the cupboard for this year's tournament. It would also allow us to have a look and try and figure out what roles that the Edmonton Oilers Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins might be in, along with netminder Devan Dubnyk.