COOL PRICE CAN CHILL U.S.
Americans are in must-win mode
By the time you read this, you would have likely heard all the bluster, the innuendo, the pointed salvos leading up to Tuesday’s showdown between hockey rivals Canada and the U.S.
About how the Americans feel they are coming into the “hornet’s nest” that is the Air Canada Centre.
About how the underdog U.S. will be playing with complete desperation, their lifeline in the World Cup of Hockey contingent on a victory after Team Europe’s 3-2 overtime triumph over the Czech Republic Monday afternoon.
And about how John Tortorella’s team features a roster that has, in many ways, been built to defeat Canada with a blueprint that features as much muscle as hustle.
But before the pregame hype machine turns this event into a WWE-like production, the most daunting obstacle standing between the Americans and tournament success can be found in the blue paint of the Canadian goal crease.
His name is Carey Price. He is, by most accounts, the best goalie in the world. And in his past three competitive starts for Team Canada in tournament games that count for something, he has kept the opposition off the scoreboard, dating back to the Sochi Olympics.
In the semifinal of the those 2014 Winter Games, Price blanked the Americans 1-0. In the gold medal game versus Sweden, he was flawless in a 3-0 triumph. And then, 30 months and a painful knee injury later, he returned to the international stage Saturday night with a triumphant 6-0 blanking of the Czech Republic in Team Canada’s opening game of the 2016 World Cup.
Three hours of hockey. A total of 82 shots faced. Zero goals allowed.
Yet another example of why Carey Price is considered the top puckstopper on the planet.
Now, here come the Americans, riding into the ACC, their backs against the proverbial wall, as much as a cliché as that is, coming into a must-win game sporting an arid offence that failed to find the back of the Team Europe net in a curtain-raising 3-0 loss on Saturday.
If they couldn’t beat Jaroslav Halak, how will they be able to solve Price?
Perhaps the fact that Tortorella has been using big beefy Dustin Byfuglien on a regular line in Team USA’s past two practices might offer a sneak peek at the tactics the U.S. coach plans to use.
With Tortorella frustrated at his team’s inability to create quality scoring chances in the so-called dirty areas — in other words, on the doorstep of the opposing goalie — planting Byfuglien’s 6-foot-5, 280 pound torso right in front of Price’s mask would seem to be, on the surface, a potential threat.
Tortorella would not confirm his roster plans on Monday, but the fact that he made Byfuglien a healthy scratch against Team Europe certainly is a headscratcher. By inserting him into the lineup, it would give the Americans another tool for the physical game plan they’ve been claiming they want to use.
But if the goal is to rattle Price, they’ll likely have to deal with 6-foot-4, 236-pound Shea Weber first. Good luck with that. For years, Weber was Pekka Rinne’s best friend, protecting him from anyone who dared come too close to the Nashville goalie. Now, after being traded to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban during the off-season, he’ll do the same for Price, whether it be in the World Cup or during the NHL season.
“Yeah he’s a big body,” Price chuckled Monday. “It definitely makes it easier on me to see the puck.
“It’s always good to have a man mountain in front of you.”
“Man-mountain” Weber, as Price refers to him, certainly knows what the Americans are capable of. He has the bruises to prove it.
During Canada’s pre-season opener on Sept. 9 in Columbus, Weber was wallpapered into the boards by Team USA’s Ryan Kesler, who was ejected for his cheap shot. But Tuesday, in a game the Americans have to win, Weber vows that revenge will be the furthest thing from his mind.
“You saw the first couple of (exhibition) games against them,” Weber said. “They were emotional. There was a lot of intensity for the first two games after the summer. We expect their best and we look forward to it.
“We weren’t very disciplined last time. We took way too many penalties. That’s something that isn’t conducive to winning. So we can’t let our emotions get the best of us.
“We’ve got to keep our discipline, play between the whistles and make sure we keep it five-onfive.”
Not to mention keeping the Americans out of Carey Price’s face.