Team Canada downed Team Russia 3-2, in a somewhat sloppy, lackluster game tonight at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
First Period
It’s was all Team Canada in the first period, as a majority of play took place in Russia’s end of the ice. Patrice Bergeron would be the first to light the lamp for Team Canada at 8:49 of the opening frame. Sidney Crosby and Brett Burns had the assists.
The Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov did not have a stellar opening period in the defensive zone, at one point turning the puck over two times, all in a matter of a few seconds. The Penguins Evgeni Malkin also had a sloppy first period, as Team Russia continued to search for their game. Team Russia had two power plays in the opening frame, but were unable to put together any kind of sustained attack on either of the man advantages. The first period would end with the Canadians leading 1-0.
Second Period
Team Russia had two more power plays in the first seven minutes of the second period, but once again, were unable to generate much in the way of scoring chances. Team Canada would also squander their first power play opportunity at the midway point of the middle frame, as the game remained 1-0 at the 10-minute mark. The game continued to degrade as the period progressed, with very little sustained offensive push by either side. Team Canada would return to the power play with 3:43 left in the second period on a roughing call on Evgeni Malkin, but was unable to convert. Team Russia would get their third power play of the period with less than a minute to play, but could not capitalize before the period expired. The second period would end scoreless, with Team Canada maintaining the 1-0 lead.
Third Period
Russia’s remaining powerplay time would expire without a score, leaving the team 0 for 5 on the power play through 2-plus periods of play. Russia would return to the power play at 1:46 when Team Canada was called for too many men on the ice. Team Canada would be called for another penalty, yielding. 5-on-3, and Alex Ovechkin would finally make Team Canada pay, tying the game 1-1.
Team Russia would take a 2-1 lead on a rebound by Artemi Panarin at 7:25 of the final frame.
Team Canada would strike back on a snipe by John Tavares from the point at 13:58 of the third period, tying the game 2-2.
Regulation would end with the game tied 2-2. Stats through three periods of play:
Overtime
Team Canada would win it in 3-on-3 overtime on a goal by Ryan Getzlaf.
By Jon Sorensen
