The anticipation of this game had built up over the last nine years. On paper, this is the deepest team USA has ever had. Team Canada needs no introduction. The game did not disappoint.
1st Period
There were three fights in the first nine seconds. Two of them came before anyone touched the puck. It seemed like the roof may come off of the Bell Centre in Montreal.
The fights favored Team Canada. USA lost both Tkachuks and JT Miller, while Canada lost Hagel, Bennett, and Parayko.
Canada got a power play when Kyle Connor went to the box after a scrum. I’m still not sure what he did to deserve two minutes.
McDavid started the scoring by letting go of a backhand shot on a rush. Werenski got caught slightly out of position, and McDavid turned on the jets to get into a shooting position.
CAN Goal 1-0: McDavid (Doughty, Binnington) 5:31
McAvoy sent McDavid flying off his feet with a giant hit on a zone entry. Guetzel then took the puck down the ice and put it five-hole on Binnington to tie the game. It was an incredible sequence if you happened to be cheering for Team USA. Oh, and Werenski logged another assist on the play.
USA Goal 1-1: Guentzel (Eichel, Werenski) 10:15
Crosby went to the box for hooking, giving USA a power play. The Americans had several prime chances in front of the net but couldn’t solve Binnington.
With the period winding down, Guentzel tripped Morrissey to give the Canadians another power play. It was killed off, which seems like a miracle after four minutes of being short-handed against McDavid, Crosby, and MacKinnon.
2nd Period
Both teams traded chances early in the second. Both goaltenders continued their strong play, saving several near misses each.
USA took the lead when Larkin ripped a shot past Binnington on a two-on-one. A quick outlet pass by Boldy in the defensive zone led to the goal. Canada got caught in a change when Doughty went to the bench. It was a good heads-up play by both Boldy and Larkin.
USA Goal 2-1: Larkin (Boldy) 13:33
In the second period, the Americans did a great job slowing down the game and preventing Canada from using its speed and skill. There weren’t many passing lanes for either team, and shots were even 18-18 after two.
3rd Period
Canada owned possession early in the third period, but the US continued to limit scoring chances.
The chippiness wound down as the game went on. Team Canada looked uncomfortable with the way Team USA was making them play.
Matthews Tkachuk benched himself after a shift. He was seen on camera telling Tortorella, “I can’t go.” It will be a big loss for Team USA if he can’t go for the rest of the tournament.
Canada pulled Binnington with a little over two minutes left. They didn’t get much of a chance before Guentzel potted the empty netter.
USA EN Goal 3-1: Guenztel (Larkin, Faber) 18:41
Game over.
Final Thoughts
A master class of a game by Team USA. They gave up the first goal but managed to claw back and then keep Canada in check the rest of the way.
Hellebuyck was much better in game two of this tournament. He was excellent in net and got robbed of a star (they couldn’t help but give McDavid a star).
Werenski played for less than 14 minutes but recorded his 4th assist in the tournament.
Team USA has secured a spot in the Championship game next Thursday, which will be played in Boston. The second spot is still up for grabs for any of the other teams.