Team Canada vs. Finland Olympic Hockey Score: Live Updates, Results
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Frank Doyle
Today we find out what Team Canada is really made of.
After blowing Austria out of the water in a 6-0 win Friday, Team Canada made more drastic changes to its lineup for today’s battle with Finland.
A win here and Canada claims top spot in Group B and gets a free ride to the quarterfinals, but Finland’s system will be tough to crack even though they’ve been hammered with injuries. Already without centres Valtteri Filppula, Mikko and Saku Koivu, Finland suffered another major loss when their No. 1 pivot, Aleksander Barkov was ruled out for the tournament with a knee injury.
Bad news for them, good news for us.
Sports Interaction had Canada set as a -300 favorite at the open and that line has already ballooned to -406. The total sits at 5.5.
Sports Interaction links of note:
Sports Interaction on Twitter here.
Sochi interactive calendar in Eastern Standard time here.
Pregame:
– Mike Babcock could have played it safe here by keeping the same lineup that produced Friday’s big win. But no. Instead, he sticks his neck out with a pile of changes. Here’s a quick update.
-PK Subban and Martin St. Louis will watch the game from the press box as Dan Hamhuis and Patrick Sharp rejoin the lineup. This is insanity. Canada is benching Norris and Art Ross winners.
-Carey Price is back in goal after Roberto Luongo pitched a shutout in the blowout win over Austria.
– While you’re waiting around, here’s some light pregame reading about the Sochi Olympics. Interesting stuff. Russia is giving each of its gold medalists $122K.
– Babcock raved about Jamie Benn yesterday and now it looks like the Dallas Stars captain will get a shot to play with Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron. If anybody can get Sid going, it’s the Canadian Jack Reacher. Bergeron and Crosby are buddies and played well together way back in the World Junior days, so I like this hunch by Babcock, Doctor of Laws.
– That said, how does Chris Kunitz stay in the lineup if he isn’t playing with Sid? This has to be Kunitz’s last chance.
– Canada will be in Wednesday’s quarterfinals unless it loses by six goals today or the world ends. If Canada did lose by more than six goals, it’s not a world I want to have any part of.
– Today’s goal scorer odds you should probably bet: Tavares +215, Benn +344, Toews +341.
– Sure as death and taxes, you hosers are hammering #TeamCanada odds. Canada opened -300 and is up to -426 now.
– There’s Healy talking about Crosby-Bergeron. About time he brought something to the table worth mentioning.
Period 1:
– Teemu Selanne. So awesome he’s basically Canadian.
– Tuomo Ruutu levels Sidney Crosby in the corner, obviously trying to spark an international incident. Finland is VERY quick. They’re giving Canada a lot of trouble off the rush but you can’t back up too much on this ice surface either.
– Also, if you’re waiting for me to start hating on Jeff Carter, I’m making a conscious effort to hold back. He hasn’t been all that great really, but when Crosby is struggling like he is, Canada has bigger issues to worry about than Jeff freaking Carter.
– GOAL CANADA. Well, maybe not. Looks like Nash hit the puck with a high stick. It was sitting on top of the net and Nash tried to pop it back in play. Really tough to see if he actually made contact with the puck.
– NO GOAL.
– Crosby still looks uncomfortable. He put the whole play offside there and it could have been a great scoring chance. This is getting ridiculous. Babcock needs to have a chat with him.
– He’s the best player in the world and he’s pulling up inside the blue line when he should be driving the puck to the net. Here’s the perfect opportunity to do just that. Crosby dumped away from the play. Canada PP coming up.
– DREW DOUGHTY FOR PRIME MINISTER. Canada 1-0.
– Weber and Crosby with the helpers. Five minutes left in the opening 20. Chris Kunitz just had a chance to double the lead, but he’s not Marty St. Louis, you guys.
– Nash picks up a minor for high sticking late. Canada needs a big kill here.
First Period Summary: Canada 1, Finland 0
Canada looked a little suprised at Finland’s speed early, but adjusted to the pace well and controlled the play for three quarters of the first. Crosby taking a couple of hits in this one might end up being the best thing that ever happened to this team. He was chirping Selanne after that and had an edge to his game before setting up Doughty’s goal. Babcock realized that and kept sending 87 over the boards. Let’s hope Sid stays angry. Angry Sidney is better than complacent Sidney.
*** Broken blog update: TOTALLY NOT BROKEN. Huzzah.
*** Lunch update: Patiently waiting for quiche. (SECRETLY SCREAMING FOR QUICHE TO BE READY)
Period 2
– Olli Jokinen is a terrible hockey player. Easily the most over-rated Jokinen ever.
– That’s the first time I’ve heard Dan Hamhuis’ name today. If he isn’t going to play, wouldn’t you rather have PK Subban and Norris trophy in the lineup, even if it’s just for situational shifts. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, MIKE BABCOCK, DOCTOR OF LAWS.
***Lunch update: Quiche has arrived and looks glorious. However, it is hotter than molten lava. MORE WAITING.
– CBC should have Healy on a word limit and fine him a trillion dollars for every word he goes over. Proposed Glen Healy word limit: 1 word. He’s talking about synchronized gum chewing now. You really can’t make this stuff up.
– Just about at the midway point and Canada looks composed and in control. Still, this game is up for grabs. Canada needs another goal before the end of this period.
– Shots are just 12-10 for Canada. It’s been a sleepy game so far, which is exactly what Finland wants. One bad bounce and this game is tied.
– Jeff Carter doesn’t realize you’re allowed to pass on a 2-on-1. Sorry, that one slipped out.
– GOAL FINLAND. Well, there’s that bad bounce I was talking about. Deflection in front beats Price. Looks like it was Ruutu. He can just go take a long walk off a short pier at this point.
Second Period Summary: Canada 1, Finland 1.
Canada had a chance to pull ahead early on and didn’t take advantage. The Canucks must have a 65-35 edge in possession at this point, but they aren’t getting nearly enough pucks to the net. Finland got a good bounce setting up what’s going to be a tough third period.
***Broken Blog Update: STILL NOT BROKEN. New record!
***Lunch update: Quiche may have overtaken omelettes for top spot in may brunch food power rankings.
Period 3
– Both teams playing like they’re in overtime already. Jari Kurri can be seen twiddling his thumbs while muttering “exceeeeellent.”
– This is why Finland is so scary. They’re missing four legit offensive weapons and can still put Canada on the ropes with great positional play and good goaltending.
– Tavares needs to give the wraparound a rest. Everybody in the rink knows it’s coming now.
– Want an update? It’s like watching nothing happen in fast forward.
– If Seinfeld is the show about nothing, this is the game about nothing. Not in a good way.
– Jonathan Toews is already prepping for his better-than-TJ-Oshie shootout performance.
– Finland hasn’t had the puck in Canada’s end for about 10 minutes.
– Tuukka [expletive] Rask, [expletive].
Period 3 Summary
– Canada holds court in Finland’s zone but can’t beat Rask. Finland wasn’t concerned about sustaining any offensive zone pressure. They chipped pucks out and now they’re just going to play for a shootout, where they could steal this game.
Overtime
– Carey Price just saved the day with a 10-bell save on Sami Salo. Tough situation for him to be in right now with only 14 shots heading into overtime.
– Jamie Benn, Canadian Jack Reacher, eats glass.
– DREW DOUGHTY, WINNER OF THE UNIVERSE. Canada wins on Doughty’s fourth of the tournament.
Game Summary: Canada 2, Finland 1.
So another game, another win. At the end of it, Yzerman’s reaction to Doughty’s winner said it all: Nothing. Stevie Y didn’t move. He didn’t pump his fist or start shaking hands. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t smile. Friends, he isn’t happy with this team and there will be more changes for Wednesday’s game. Technically, Canada has been great in its own zone and the blue line is doing everything to shoulder the load. Stevie Y and Canada needs more.
Team Canada will face the winner of Latvia vs. Switzerland on Wednesday.