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Redemption Time

Written by: Jesse Michael on 17th February 2010

Reach Marty, Reach

Martin Brodeur reaches for the puck after a Paul DiPietro shot eludes him in the '06 Olympics | read this item

Four years to the day from when the Canadians lost 2-0 to the Swiss in the 2006 Turin Olympics, they will get a shot to redeem themselves on home soil.

Stellar goaltending from Martin Gerber, a patient, yet frustrating style of play, and a throng of stupid penalties from the Canadians allowed the Swiss to skate away with victory in ’06; even though they were outshot 49-18.

Canadian born Paul DiPietro was the hero, potting both Swiss goals, while star NHL defenceman Mark Streit had an assist on the second goal. The other two players who factored in on the goals, Goran Bezina and Patric Della Rossa, did not make this year’s roster.

Gerber completely shut down the Canadian offence from every angle, including on all five of the much maligned Canadian power plays.

These Olympics feel different though.

The Swiss for instance were coming into their game against Canada in 2006 riding a big upset of the Czech’s; whereas this year they’ll play after a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Americans.

As for the Canadians, even though it’s early, they seem to have found three lines bursting with chemistry, something they lacked entirely in 2006.

No player recorded a hat-trick or more than two goals the entire tournament. Jarome Iginla erased that last night.

The highest amount of assists scored by one player for Canada in the tournament was Todd Bertuzzi with three. Sidney Crosby tied that against the Norwegians.

Neither Martin Brodeur nor Roberto Luongo recorded a shutout in the five games played. Luongo accomplished that easily last night as well.

Aside from the statistical analysis, it was clear on the ice last night that as the game went on the lines Mike Babcock and his coaching staff put together had the right mix of youth and experience.

The “San Jose Sharks” line consisting of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dany Heatley dominated the play every time they were on the ice.

The combination of the Anaheim Ducks forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, along with Carolina Hurricanes’ Eric Staal seemed to gel a little more as the game went on.

And the top line of Crosby, Iginla, and Rick Nash – after a minor tweaking by Babcock swapping Patrice Bergeron for Iginla – scored arguably the prettiest goal of the tournament in the third period.

It’s obviously farfetched to think that the Canadians are cured of all of their scoring woes from the previous Olympics; it was the Norwegians after all.

But if this was a sign of things to come in the tournament; the quick, sharp passing, excellent coaching decisions, and solid goaltending, the Canadians could indeed be very tough to beat in this tournament.

The real test begins tomorrow night in their attempt to exorcise the demons from the loss in ’06.

Topics: 2006 Turin Olympics, 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Corey Perry, Dany Heatley, Eric Staal, Jarome Iginla, Joe Thornton, Mark Streit, Martin Brodeur, Martin Gerber, Mike Babcock, NHL, Patrick Marleau, Paul DiPietro, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Getzlaf, San Jose Sharks, Sidney Crosby, Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Switzerland, Todd Bertuzzi

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